CareerTech Champion Richard Hight

At 8 years of age, Richard Hight was a sketcher who loved art. What he didn’t know was where his passion for art would take him.

Today Hight is making a visual impact, blending visual art with music. He motivates and entertains more than 1 million people in 200 live performances yearly.

Although Hight is gifted in using many mediums, chalk is what he uses during his performances. In these performances he creates a piece of artwork that is 6 by 8 feet, choreographed music.

Hight’s love of art began at an early age but it wasn’t until he enrolled at Gordon Cooper Technology center that he began to learn how to apply his talent.

Growing up in the small town of Shawnee, and graduating from Shawnee High School, Hight saw Gordon Cooper as an opportunity

“Enrolling in Gordon Cooper’s drafting and graphic design program was a logical next step during high school for me,” Hight said.

Richard Hight

Richard Hight

Hight’s experience at GCTC was a step that he credits with helping him learn valuable skills he still uses today.

That is why he is being recognized as a CareerTech champion, according to Phil Berkenbile, CareerTech state director.

“CareerTech Champions are alumni of the system's programs or student organizations who attribute much of their success to their CareerTech experience,” Berkenbile said.

Hight learned fundamental design concepts in the drafting and graphic design program at Gordon Cooper. He then combined those skills and techniques with an education at the Colorado Institute of Art, before starting a career in advertising.

Over the next few years he noticed people watching him as he painted and sketched in parks. One day the idea came to him that this could be his career.

While working for advertising agencies in Dallas and Chicago, Hight also spent time researching visual art and booking venues and churches part time.

After 12 years, Hight decided to stop working at the art he loved and enjoy it.

Working full time as a visual artist in the mid 1980s, Hight was a hit.

“Success is finding your gifts and serving those gifts to other people,” Hight said.

Today he not only performs at churches, schools, corporations, graduations, concerts and many other events, he has also opened for performers: Amy Grant, Switchfoot, Billy Graham, Jars of Clay, Six Pence None the Richer, Michael W. Smith and many more.

Hight’s work has graced museums, private collections, CD covers, magazines and has been showcased on ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX networks.

Tailoring his artwork to this audience, Hight amazes crowds.

“It’s more than just entertainment, I want to communicate a positive life changing message and take my audience on a journey,” Hight said. “As a visual artist I am trying to do what a musician does visually.”

Through Gordon Cooper Technology Center, Hight was able to develop his gifts.

“The Career Technology system does a great job of listening to the students and placing them in the career path that is best suited for their skills and passion.”

“By watching where the economy is going and understanding what skills will be needed in the economy of tomorrow, CareerTech is able to build programs to make graduates leaders in their field of choice,” High said.

Related Link

Visual Impact

Story by: Lauren Merryman
Communications and Marketing
posted 2/20/2007

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