Harmony Brantley Barnes has come into full circle this fall, returning to Arkansas State University-Beebe—not as a student, but as an adjunct art instructor.
Barnes first chose ASU-Beebe because of its welcoming, close-knit atmosphere.
“I chose to attend ASU-Beebe because of the community college environment, which made the transition easier from my high school at Mount Vernon-Enola,” Barnes said. "Several of my family members had also attended here and had great experiences."
After earning her associate degree in 2017, Barnes transferred to the University of Central Arkansas, where she completed a bachelor’s degree in studio arts in 2020.
She later continued her education by earning a Master of Fine Arts degree online from the Academy of Arts University in California, graduating in Fall 2025.
As a student at ASU-Beebe, Barnes was actively involved in campus life. She worked as a student employee in the art department and served as treasurer of the Art Club, in which she participated in painting murals for a local karate center. Barnes also helped teach during an ASU-Beebe ceramics trip to the Parkin Archeological State Park. Later, she spoke about the Parkin trip at the Southwest Popular/American Culture Art Conference.
Additionally, her passion for art extended beyond the classroom. Barnes gave back to the community by face painting at a fundraiser benefiting two elementary teachers undergoing cancer treatment.
Today, Barnes credits her college education in the arts with preparing her to teach a variety of artistic mediums and inspire the next generation of artists.
“My two favorite classes in college were color theory and ceramics,” Barnes said. “Even though color theory was difficult, it brought my work to a whole new level. Ceramics opened my mind to my favorite medium and sparked my love for sculpture and artistic discovery.”
Now, as she steps into the role of instructor, Barnes looks forward to helping students at ASU-Beebe discover their own creative paths while sharing the lessons that shaped her journey.
“If you ever start feeling burned out with school or artwork, try a different medium,” Barnes said. “Don’t try to make something gallery-worthy on the first try—just have fun with it. That’s how I kept myself going through difficult times and moments of self-doubt.”
ASU-Beebe Alumni Spotlight Stories is a project of the ASU-Beebe Alumni Association with the goal of sharing and preserving the ASU-Beebe historical and educational experiences of former students.
If you are an alum and would like to share your story, contact Institutional Advancement at (501) 882-8855.
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