Our people: Sculptor aims for 'common-sense' gun laws

When Corey Pickett says he's a sculptor, a picture may pop up in one's mind of the man working in stone, wood, metal and such.

But Pickett's works are in textiles and upholstery materials, and he creates firearms.

The News learned more about Pickett's art and his life in a Thursday conversation.

Q: You were born in Georgia. What do you remember about that area?

A: I was born in Brunswick, Ga. I remember water on the coast, a slow pace of life and just freedom to explore my neighborhood and hang out with friends.

Q: What brought you to Clovis?

A: I enlisted in the Air Force. I was an airplane mechanic, crew chief, on the F-111s and F16s (jets).

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: I am married to Yvette. I met her here in Clovis. She was born in Greece. Her dad was in the Air Force.

I have four kids, two boys, two girls, ranging in age from 26 to 31.

We have one granddaughter and we're about to have another grandkid.

My mother-in-law lives here in Clovis, she's Bestella Gardner.

Q: What did you want to be when you grew up?

A: I wanted to be an architect. It didn't go as planned but that's OK.

Q: What do you do now?

A: I'm the director of fine arts for Clovis Municipal Schools.

I oversee band, choir, theater, fine arts.

I like giving students opportunities to explore their creative side.

Q: What does art mean to you?

A: For me it's an outlet for creative people.

I think when you are creative you have to do it.

Q: Tell us about your art.

A: I'm a sculptor. In the last 10 years I've used textiles and I create upholstery guns, revolvers mostly, ray guns based on guns used in sci-fi movies in the '50s and '60s.

I do this to bring awareness to gun violence. My sculptures are an appeal for "common-sense" gun laws and the re-evaluation of firearm legislation.

Q: What's the best sandwich.

A: Just a good ol' hamburger with lettuce, tomatoes and pickles with ketchup on it. Keep it simple. And fries.

Or a Chicago dog. That's a hot dog with relish, tomato, hot peppers, ketchup and mustard.

Q: What's your favorite song?

A: My favorite song is "Can You Stand the Rain" by New Edition.

It reminds me of being young and it's just a nice, easy, simple song you can sing.

Q: What's the worst smell?

A: Probably a skunk. When you smell it, you know it's a skunk.

There's no way of getting it wrong.

Q: What's your favorite food?

A: Buffalo wings. I like to have them with blue-cheese dressing.

Q: What else do you do in your off-hours?

A: My favorite hobby is pigeon racing.

You raise pigeons and there are clubs. Usually on a Friday night you take your pigeons to the club, get prepared, then Saturday the event begins.

I go to the club in Amarillo.

We decide on where to release them in 100-mile increments up to 350 miles.

Young birds fly shorter distances than older birds. Older birds fly 500 to 600 miles.

We release our pigeons and they fly home. That's why they're called homing pigeons. Mine have to fly to Clovis.

The winner is determined by how fast they fly home.

I have over 30 pigeons.

Q: Who would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?

A: I would invite Pablo Picasso, Steve Jobs, James Baldwin and Benjamin Franklin.

We would probably just drink wine and tell stories.

Q: What is your favorite saying/quote?

A: My favorite saying is, "Think different."