The past few months have been a time of introspection and growth for Susan Barrett, founder of Barrett Barrera Projects, a fine art exhibition and advisory firm based in the Central West End. The company has endured challenges related to the pandemic, but Barrett says she and her staff have emerged stronger and more resourceful than ever.
A Bridgeton native and Washington University alumna, Barrett worked in architecture, fashion, publishing and education before opening her current company, which includes a gallery on Manchester Avenue. If you are a chess aficionado, you probably have heard her name connected with the World Chess Hall of Fame, which she led as founding director. Today, Barrett works closely with artists in a variety of media, welcoming them to St. Louis and facilitating greater understanding between those who create art and those who experience it. “I see the word ‘art’ as a verb,” Barrett notes. “It’s an active process that takes on a life of its own.”
1. thoughts on creative expression … I’ve never believed there was much difference between art, architecture and fashion because they are all forms of design and creation. As a girl, I would draw house plans and come up with stories and pictures of the people who would live in them. I love every aspect of creating something new because it’s a way of inventing your own world.
2. others might not know that … For a short time, I had my own fashion line. I didn’t know how to sew in the beginning, but I did take classes on repurposing clothes, cutting them apart and putting the pieces together in different ways. I made custom dresses and even wedding gowns for friends. I loved doing that because it was so personal, dramatic and fun. Everything was great until one of my gowns got lost in the mail on its way to the bride. That was a catastrophe! Somehow, I was able to remake it, but
I never quite recuperated from the experience.
3. thoughts on the pandemic … Like most other businesses, things pretty much came to a halt for us during the shutdown. I think the experience gave many St. Louisans time to reflect on the structure of our society and its systems. I’m grateful for that, not because of what caused it, but because I think people are awakening to issues they didn’t know much about before, like diversity and racism. The situation also taught us a lot about taking care of family members—the people we are related to and those we work with. It’s always been important for my company to be family-focused. I especially feel empathy for women who are juggling home lives
and careers.
4. what’s on the horizon … My company has been recording a series of podcasts with interesting people from all over the world. We’ve talked to artists, restaurateurs, fashion designers, actors and others. We asked them questions like, what does the pandemic situation mean for you? How are you rethinking your business and cultural interactions? We are excited to be releasing the podcasts soon. We also are showing the second part of our Ann Ray and Lee Alexander McQueen exhibit, Rendez-Vous.
5. where you’ll find me on weekends … I’ve been getting together with friends for socially distanced front-porch cocktails, and I have an above-ground pool at home. When it comes to recreation these days, I find that location doesn’t matter much; when I spend time with friends and family, the most important thing is that we are all together.
6. what I’ve been watching … My husband and I recently saw the Tiger King miniseries on Netflix. We had never experienced Mad Men before, but we watched that as well and loved it, especially since it stars area native Jon Hamm. I also saw Mrs. America, the Phyllis Schlafly story starring Cate Blanchett. I thought it was amazing.
7. favorite St. Louis activities … I really missed eating at local restaurants during the shutdown. Some of my favorite spots are Union Loafers, Pastaria and anything by Zoë Robinson or Ben Poremba. I also love farmers markets, flea markets, festivals and estate sales. Point me in the direction of any of those things, and that’s what a dream Saturday looks like for me. I just wander around and enjoy the thrill of the hunt.