The W. Frank Barton School of Business is the home of real and applied learning. A
place where students apply knowledge gained from faculty and business leaders while
developing professional and life skills. The Barton School is among the top 1% of
business schools worldwide due to its double AACSB accreditation in business and accounting.
Housed in the award-winning building, Woolsey Hall, features artwork, sculptures,
gardens, and The Promise Bridge – a 300-foot-long pedestrian bridge over the water
in front of the building.
The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University is proud to foster
accessibility and creativity through its ongoing collaboration with the Envision Arts
Program — an initiative by Envision, a nonprofit committed to creating opportunities
and transforming lives for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. In an effort
to foster creativity and celebrate diverse artistic perspectives, Woolsey Hall featured
two visually impaired artists in installations spanning the 2024-2025 academic year,
highlighting the transformative power of touchable and interactive art.
For Fall 2024, the Barton School showcased Tomiyo Tajiri’s Negotiation Like a Forest—an exhibition that pays homage to Japanese traditions through four large-scale, textured
panels representing the four seasons. For Spring 2025, the school welcomes Erica Johnson’s
collection of ceramic works, which capture movement, memory, and personal resilience
through sculpted form.
“By championing innovative art and supporting artists like Tomiyo and Erica, we aim
to develop an appreciation for creative thinking among our students,” said Dr. Larisa
Genin, Dean of the Barton School. “Such initiatives equip future business leaders
with the tools to approach challenges with inspired, out-of-the-box solutions.”
The Barton School’s partnership with the Envision Arts Program is part of a broader
commitment to fostering creativity. By featuring visually impaired artists, the program
underscores the value of diverse perspectives in solving complex problems and enriching
the student experience.
Tomiyo Tajiri
Born on the small island of Okino-Erabu-Shima, Japan, Tomiyo Tajiri grew up surrounded
by the delicate yet resilient beauty of native Japanese flowers—an inspiration that
would later shape her artistic vision. After moving to the United States in 1995,
she was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition that gradually
restricted her vision to a small pinhole. Despite this challenge, Tajiri found new
ways to honor Japanese tradition through origami workshops, ceramics, and public installations.
Her Woolsey Hall installation, Negotiation Like a Forest, used touchable textures and bold, colorful compositions to represent the shifting
beauty of the four seasons. Each panel—Summer High Power, Autumn High Happiness, Winter Appreciation, and Spring Gets the
Energy—invites viewers to not only see but also feel the artwork, making it an immersive
experience for all.
"I lost my vision, and I cannot see, but there are things I can do and enjoy, which
is very important," said Tajiri. "When I touch, it’s like I can see. Blind people
need to touch art to experience its design and meaning."
Tajiri’s work has also been showcased at the Wichita Art Museum, the Envision Arts
Gallery, and the Flower Nook in Salina, Kansas. She was also a second-place winner
in the sculpture category at the 2021 American Printing House (APH) for the Blind
InSights Art Competition for her piece, Peaceful.
With its unveiling in Fall 2024, Negotiation Like a Forest sparked conversations about the power of accessible art, inspiring students, faculty,
and visitors alike.
Erica Johnson
Now, Woolsey Hall welcomes the work of Erica Johnson, whose ceramic sculptures tell
a deeply personal story of perseverance and artistic discovery. A former first-shift
sergeant at the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department, Johnson spent decades serving
the Wichita community. In 2014, her life took a dramatic turn when she was diagnosed
with multiple myeloma, a rare blood disorder affecting the bone marrow. Complications
from her illness led to vision loss, a detached retina, and significant depression.
Through Envision’s Vision Rehabilitation Center and Adult Support Program, Johnson
discovered ceramics—a medium that allowed her to express emotions, preserve memories,
and find joy in creating. Her sculptures often reflect themes of travel, family, and
personal resilience, capturing movement and texture in ways that invite both visual
and tactile engagement.
Since embracing ceramics, Johnson has gained recognition for her work, exhibiting
at the Annual Insight Art Exhibition at the American Printing House for the Blind
and A Window into Wichita Arts (AWIWA) at Douglas and Market. She also held a solo
exhibition at the Envision Arts Gallery and Community Engagement Center in April 2022.
Sarah Kephart, Senior Manager of Envision Arts, expressed her excitement about the
exhibition’s impact. “We are so thankful for the Barton School for their ongoing partnership
and support. These artist’s work is a beautiful example of how art can transcend boundaries
and bring people together.”
A Commitment to Innovation
The Barton School’s ongoing partnership with the Envision Arts Program continues to
showcase the talent of visually impaired artists while encouraging innovative thinking
among students, faculty, and the broader Wichita community.
“We have been honored to feature both Tomiyo and Erica at Woolsey Hall,” said Genin,
“Their works highlight how art can be both an expressive and immersive experience,
proving that creativity has no limits.”
The Barton School remains committed to fostering an environment where accessibility,
artistic expression, and business innovation intersect. Visitors are encouraged to
explore these powerful exhibitions each semester and witness firsthand the impact
of thought-provoking art.
