Students learn the art of the balloon from a nationally renowned clown.

By Janelle Stecklein

| The Salt Lake Tribune

Kearns • The small classroom at Kearns High School was filled with color, though it was hard to tell who was the most colorful — the teacher, the students or the balloons.

"Whoops, I wasn’t supposed to do that," said one student.

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"You came on a good night," another giggled, wearing a crown she made out of balloons. "We all have nice hats."

"I feel very princesslike," a third said, laughing.

Laughter and joking were encouraged during the advanced balloon art class offered by the Granite Peaks Adult Education program because, after all, their teacher was quite literally a clown.

Under the careful tutelage of "Sammy T," the seven women and one teen had quickly progressed to advanced techniques during the past few weeks.

"It’s really fun to watch them when they first start out," said Sammy T, whose real name is Tom Butte, a North Salt Lake resident.

Butte has been considered one of the top balloon art creators in the nation and can easily shape balloons into nearly any creature, including his personal favorite, a life-size eagle. He’s been making balloon creations for the child inside everyone for 32 years and has been spreading his passion by teaching others for more than a decade.

"If you can tie your shoe, you can make balloon creations," he said.

Butte sat in the front of the classroom surrounded by his rapt students, who followed along with their own balloons as he guided them in shaping colorful butterflies, swords, flowers, bunnies and hats.

Every so often a student would twist too much or accidentally overinflate and a balloon would pop. Everyone would just shrug it off good-naturedly and the participant would start again as Butte helped her catch up.

"He’s really helpful," said Julie Thacker, of Taylorsville. "It’s amazing how he keeps us all together."

Thacker, who was attending the class with a friend, said she wanted to learn how to make the creations for her great-nieces and nephews. She’s even invested in a balloon art book so she can continue learning at home.

"We’re getting better at making [the balloons] pliable. That’s the trick," she said.

Alejandro Polendo, 13, of Kearns, was the youngest in the class.

"I’ve always wanted to do this since I was little," Alejandro said, while trying to figure out how to shape an elaborately twisted handle for a balloon sword. "It’s really hard."

And will the lessons inspire anyone to start a new career as a clown? Not so much.