Remembering Bill Barrett, Photography Professor

Professor Bill Barrett, who for nearly three decades taught photography in Webster University’s School of Communications and served as the director and curator to the University’s May Gallery for 23 of those years, died Thursday, Feb. 3.

“Bill's passing is a tremendous loss to the University, his students, colleagues and the entire community,” said Webster University Chancellor Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble. “He was a collaborative partner who was always looking for ways to improve educational opportunities for students and showcase photography in all its diversity. Many of us counted Bill as a friend who brought a smile to those around him and whose dedication and passion for his work inspired us through every interaction."

“Bill was a dedicated colleague, passionate mentor, and a dear friend to many. His devotion to students will continue to be a beacon for us who will carry on his mission and hard work,” said Webster University President Julian Z. Schuster. “Bill will remain an inspiration to the new generation of faculty and students who will realize his dream of making and preserving the art of photography.”

Barrett’s tenure at Webster University started in August 1994. At Webster, he taught photography, ethics in media, and served as director of the May Gallery. He previously worked at Parsons School of Design as a photography professor and assistant chair of the department.

Before he became a professor, Barrett undertook a personal mission of traveling the world as a documentary photographer to document the world’s most troubled areas in the hope that it would lead to positive change. With the ability to speak both Spanish and French and armed with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, he spent a great deal of time in Central America in refugee camps in the 1980s, photographed conditions, and taught refugees basic photography and how to develop film in a tent.

Through his international work, he became friends with American journalist and activist Dorothy Day and photographed her on many occasions. Day is quoted in the biography “Love is the Measure” as saying that Barrett was the only photographer she worked with who “didn’t make me nervous.” Among the photos that he took with Day included a meeting she had with Mother Theresa. That photo would later be included in multiple exhibits over the years in numerous countries.

When he started teaching in the mid ‘80s, he said that academia was an extension of his photography career, not a replacement to it. In an interview, he said "Teaching the technical part of photography, while absolutely essential, is in many ways the easier part. The real challenge, the one that keeps me excited, is to draw out students' interesting ideas, to help them express those ideas through the photographic medium, and to combine technical excellence with creative expression. Achieving that goal is successful photographic education and produces students who can love what they do and can earn their living doing it."

He added that through teaching, he continued to learn on how to be a better photographer. “I have the best job in the world,” he said as a result.

At Webster University, Barrett elevated photography in the community through management of the May Gallery. When he took over the Gallery, it held two photo shows per year. Barrett increased it to six and diversified who would display work on its walls.

The community took notice, with the Riverfront Times saying in a review of the May Gallery, “It may be a glorified hallway, but it shows the best photography in town.”

Barrett felt strongly that galleries were an essential part of the world of photography and developed a Gallery Management course for photography students, which he was teaching up until the end of 2021. In it, students are taught how to apply for grants, promote events, hold openings, and find prospective photos to hang on the walls. Students often received hands-on training and helped Barrett hang photos, set up drinks and snacks for gallery openings, print postcards and clean up afterwards.

Barrett is survived by his wife Laurel Hayes and his son Gavin Barrett-Hayes.

Funeral arrangements are pending.