My name is Stephen Hayes and this is a quick introduction into my many faces. The son of Lender and Stephen, I was lucky at first to grow up with two parents to look up to, but due to drugs, in 1990 my mother decided to separate from my father. My father preferred to support his drug habit rather than his family. So we left and I began another stage of my life with my mother and older brother to look up to.My brother is someone I always looked up to. He was the motivation factor in my love of art. By watching my brother overtime making something out of nothing, I became motivated to creating, building, and drawing things. Art became a way of self-expression for me. My mother saw the potential I possessed. When other children were getting bicycles and toys for Christmas, she brought me a workbench and tools.
During my 4th grade school year my grades started to drop. Earlier that year mother married and my life changed a lot due to abuse. I began to stay in my room with the door closed away from harm, even eating in my room away from the dining table. Its said that when God closes one door, another one opens, so to escape my creativity began to blossom. I started a private school Camelot Academy where I learned that I had a learning disability. To overcome my disability I was fortunate enough to attend two private schools at one time. I began to excel having to attend two schools. My mother kept me in check and making sure that I joined organization, like the Rights of Passage. This organization taught me about African traditions and manhood. I also joined a steel drum band, which I’m still a member. This allowed me to enhance my musical abilities. In the band I had the opportunity to travel throughout the surrounding area performing for various ethnic groups. During this time we recorded two CDs, and was officially named The Resounding Steel Band. In order to be a member of the group, each member had to maintain a B average in school grades.
My art skills consist of sculptures, ceramics, drawings, graphics, wood, plaster, plastics and crocheting. Some of my work has been on display at North Carolina Central University. My crochet work was presented in a fashion show at the Hayti Heritage Center in Durham, NC. An estimate of 20 pieces my design of clothing was model. I learned to crochet in high school at Camelot Academy during a one-week special session course that allowed me to learn something of interest. Another valuable experience was when I traveled to Paris and later to Cuba. I know that my appreciation of the arts broadened even more after visiting these countries. I got to experience how other people live day-to-day, and to see how the world of art is an ever-evolving one.
I’ve always been a well-grounded person, even though I struggled academically. I’ve never been one to give up on anything, which I credit my mother for instilling in me. My strong will and desire to achieve and succeed allowed me to make the Dean’s list at NCCU, and was awarded cum laude Bachelor of Art degree in Art, majoring in Visual Communications. This achievement in my life is not a matter of bragging, but of how proud I am of myself considering all the struggles and challenges I have faced throughout my schooling academically.
Throughout elementary, middle and high school, as well as college, I have remained faithful to my love for the arts. I have continued to be creative in building, drawing, and sculpting. My portfolio also consists of a number of designs that I have done and continue to do since graduation. Over the past year, I remained in contact with my professors, seeking guidance and instructions on projects that I continue to work on independently.
Since graduating from NCCU I continue to venture with my art. I’ve made more sculptures. I remain in close contact with my professors. I currently have some of my artwork is on display in downtown Durham. I’ve received a full scholarship for summer school to the University of New York at Alfred. I took the ceramics class under John Gill.
My academic goal is to receive a Master of Fine Arts degree in order to better prepare myself for a professional career. My purpose for seeking this degree is to become a professor or instructor, specializing in the field of sculpture. I feel that in order to be successful you have to have a passion and love for it. I have worked in sculpture, ceramics, drawings and graphics and especially enjoy working in wood, plaster, plastics, clay, metal, foam and other various materials. Sculpture is my passion.
