Today we’d like to introduce you to Seven Bailey.
Hi Seven, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey into art and metal fabrication began at a very early age after watching Flashdance as a child. I knew that whatever Alex was doing in the movie I wanted in on it! That seed was planted and it wasn’t until my teenage years after taking a metal fabrication class in high school that I realized that I wanted to pursue metal sculpture. I attended college briefly and after dropping out of college I moved to California and decided that I wanted to start building my career. For me, it was important that my career was something I felt passionate about, so I dove deep into the original spark of welding and metal fabrication.
I spent almost 10yrs in industrial welding and metal fabrication before a chance meeting with Heather Doyle, the Artistic Director of the Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center, That meeting brought me home to public art and metal sculpture. She invited me into her world by collaborating on an awning facade she was working on. It didn’t take long for us to realize that we had something special together. Since then, we have worked on numerous projects throughout Minneapolis, like the Purple Raindrop by visual artist Esther Osayande. Our latest collaboration was the re-creation of Jordan Powell-Karis fist in George Floyd Square. (For me, it was the least I could do, GFS is the heart of our community.)
Over the past few years, I have been tapped by artists across the country to lead the fabrication of their projects, such as Tristan Al-Haddad’s Nimbus, which was built in Atlanta and now resides here in Minneapolis. The most pivotal thing happened this past year: I was asked by producers to compete in Metal Shop Masters on Netflix. It was that experience that connected me to 6 amazing artist friends (other competitors on the show) and to one of the most humbling and important projects to date. My friend Lou mentioned me to artist Michelle Browder who needed help to finish the monument named “The Mothers of Gynecology”. Michelle reached out, as she was looking for a team who could help construct these women, not just with skill, but with gratitude and respect. So, I took a team of women down to Montgomery, Alabama, and with donated metal and gynecology instruments, we gave bodies and faces to the Mothers. I hope people see this monument and bring light to Anarcha, Lucy and Betsey, who are the epitome of resilience.
My career is coalescing vision into fruition with metal.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m a Black Queer Trans Non-Binary person in America, I was born into struggle. I will never know a life without struggle. With that, I continue to work on projects that support, uplift and empower marginalized people.
I continue to create and stay visible for those who feel as though they can’t, for those who are no longer here, and for those who have yet to be born.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an AWS certified welder, welding inspector, and educator with nearly 20 years of experience in welding and metal fabrication. I’m a independent consultant and contractor. I have fabricated a wide range of projects, including high-volume shop orders, R&D for NASA, and multiple large-scale art installations throughout the United States. Three works they are particularly proud of are Nimbus, the fist in George Floyd Square, and The Mothers of Gynecology.
Along with my wife, Sweetpea, I am an event producer in the Twin Cities, producing and hosting several events each month. I believe in the importance of building community, and was honored in 2016 with the Building Community Award from Dunwoody College of Technology. I am passionate about speaking at schools and colleges about the importance of women, trans, and non-binary people in STEM careers; I’m a proud advocate for addressing race and LGBTQIA+ issues in the workplace.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I think the most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is to continually identify and ask myself what I need to accomplish things that I have never done before. Every time I take on a new project I do this to set myself up for success.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.sevenbailey.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butchcharming/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theSevenBailey
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/butch_charming
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Heg84cvOV3A
Image Credits
Cyril James
