Michelle Thomas
Michelle Thomas is a native of Dallas, Texas. She achieved her Master of Fine Arts degree in Drawing and Painting at the University of North Texas in 2015 after earning her BFA from Louisiana State University. Thomas was named a grant recipient of the Dallas Museum of Art’s Awards to Artists through the Arch and Anne Giles Kimbrough Fund earlier this year. She has also been a Nasher Microgrant finalist as well as a CADD FUNd finalist. Thomas has shown throughout Texas and has held solo exhibitions of her work venues including 500X Gallery and Lillian Bradshaw Gallery.
Thomas’s work is largely mixed media and often exists in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional realms; her work relates to drawing and painting as well as sculpture and fibers. She has shown at numerous venues including solo exhibitions at 500X Gallery and Cora Stafford Gallery. Thomas’s work was also featured in Biennial-600: Sculpture at the Amarillo Museum of Art.
Artist Statement
The tradition of gathering around the radio, television or other device during historic moments has carried on from generation to generation. Inspired by recent news stories, this series of artworks references objects of mass communication over the last 150 years in relationship to significant events in women’s history such as the present-day #meToo movement.
Individually, these pieces invite viewers to participate by joining near a screen during a given moment. Together they parallel not only the multitude of news we experience today but also surround sound system arrangements. Each work embodies the experience of at once being broadcasted yet not heard. This series is created with painterly layers of textiles and threading that simultaneously echo craft medium.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
2015 University of North Texas, Master of Fine Art
Painting and Drawing
2012 Louisiana State University, Honors College, Bachelor of Fine Arts
Major Painting and Drawing, Minor Art History
Magna Cum Laude, College Honors
Honors Undergraduate Thesis: A Timeless Impermanence
Other Education
2014 Eric McMaster Digital Fabrication Workshop, University of North Texas: Denton, Texas
2011 Linda Wintraub Creative Workshop, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Prospect 2 New Orleans, Dan Cameron, Louisiana State University: New Orleans, Louisiana
Solo Exhibitions
2015 Over/Under, Cora Stafford Gallery: Denton, Texas
2014 Soft Space, 500X Gallery: Dallas, Texas
Selected Group Exhibitions
2015 Biennial-600: Sculpture, Juried by Leigh Arnold, Amarillo Museum of Art: Amarillo, Texas
CHAOS!!!, Ro2 Art: Dallas, Texas
5 to Watch: Reloaded, curated by Susan Roth Romans and Jordan Roth of Ro2 Art, The Gallery at Visit Addison: Dallas, Texas
Graduate Spring Invitational, Lightwell Gallery: Denton, Texas
2014 5 to Watch, Curated by Susan Roth Romans and Jordan Roth of Ro2 Art, The Gallery at Visit Addison: Dallas, Texas
The Turn, Cora Stafford Gallery, University of North Texas: Denton, Texas
Great Stuff, Cora Stafford Gallery, University of North Texas: Denton, Texas
11th Annual Hecho en Dallas, Juried by Kayla Escobedo, Lucas Martell, Francisco Moreno,
Arthur Pena, and Giovanni Valderas, Latino Cultural Center: Dallas, Texas
Graduate Spring Invitational, Lightwell Gallery, University of North Texas: Denton, Texas
Toulouse Graduate School Exhibition, Gateway Center, University of North Texas: Denton, Texas
2013 Student Discount, Juried by Lisa Hees, LauraLee Brott and Leslie Connally, 500x Gallery: Dallas, Texas
Graduate Fall Invitational, Lightwell Gallery, University of North Texas: Denton, Texas
Intersections: Collaborative Inquiries in Painting, UNT on the Square: Denton, Texas
Graduate Exhibition Encore, UNT on the Square: Denton, Texas
Graduate Spring Invitational, Lightwell Gallery, University of North Texas: Denton, Texas
Toulouse Graduate School Exhibition, Union Gallery, University of North Texas: Denton, Texas*
2012 LSU BFA Show, Foster Gallery, Louisiana State University: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
White Light Night Art Show, Yvette Marie’s: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
LSU Juried Student Art Show, Union Gallery, Louisiana State University: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
LSU A+D Student Show, Commons Gallery, Louisiana State University: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The Commons Private Collection, Louisiana State University: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
2011 LSU Juried Student Art Show, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
2010 TVAA Nostalgia Show, TVAA Downtown Gallery: Dallas, Texas
Awards and Honors
2015 Nasher Sculpture Center Microgrant Finalist (Juried by: Leigh Arnold, Frances Bagley, Annette Lawrence, John Pomara, Anna Smith, and Tony Tasset)
College of Visual Art and Design Outstanding Graduate Student in Studio Art
2014 College of Visual Art and Design Project Award: Soft Space
Graduate Assistantship Tuition Scholarship
Thomas Norby Memorial Scholarship
2013 Toulouse Graduate School Exhibition, Third Place for Visual Arts
UNT Academic Achievement Scholarship
2012 UNT Academic Achievement Scholarship
Tau Sigma Delta - Art and Design Honor Society
2011 LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation Honors Thesis Research Scholarship
2008 Rhode Island School of Design Annual Art Award
Teaching Experience
2015 Teaching Fellow, Instructor of Record, ASTU 2200: Beginning Figure Drawing
2014 Teaching Assistant, Independent Lab Instructor (Supervising Faculty Rachel Black), ART 1500: Drawing I
2013 Teaching Assistant, Independent Lab Instructor of Record (Supervising Faculty Elaine Pawlowicz) ART 1510: Drawing II
Teaching Assistant, Independent Lab Instructor of Record (Supervising Faculty Elaine Pawlowicz) ART 1510: Drawing II
Professional Experience
2015 Co-Curator of In the Making, UNT on the Square, Denton, Texas
University of North Texas: Area Assistant for the Drawing and Painting Department
Visual Art Scholastic Event Juror, North Texas Regions
Private Schools Interscholastic Association Juror, North Texas Region
2014 University of North Texas: Area Assistant for the Drawing and Painting Department
Visual Art Scholastic Event Juror, North Texas Regions
Private Schools Interscholastic Association Juror, North Texas Region
2013 Crow Collection of Asian Art: Department of Education Contract Intern
Visual Art Scholastic Event Juror, North Texas Regions
2012 Susan Cheal Studio Assistant: Denton, Texas
Crow Collection of Asian Art: Department of Education Contract Intern
2011 Texas Visual Art Association Downtown Gallery, Intern
2010 Texas Visual Art Association Downtown Gallery, Intern
Dallas Art Dealers Association, Intern
Lectures
2014 Guest Lecture and Collaborative Lesson Plan: Seventh and Eighth Grade Art Classes, Invited by Frank Hopkins, Calhoun Middle School, Denton, Texas
Graduate Student Panelist: College of Visual Arts and Design, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
Guest Lecture: Advanced Drawing Studio I. Invited by Vincent Falsetta, Department of Studio Art, College of Visual Arts and Design, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
Guest Lecture: Advanced Painting Studio I. Invited by Vincent Falsetta, Department of Studio Art, College of Visual Arts and Design, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
2013 Graduate Student Panelist: College of Visual Arts and Design, University of North Texas. Denton, Texas
Guest Lecture: Drawing II, invited by Elaine Pawlowicz, Department of Studio Art, College of Visual Arts and Design, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
Publications
2014 Top Five, Dec 4. 2011. Glasstire. December 4, 2014.
http://glasstire.com/2014/12/04/top-five-dec-4-2014/
Smart, Lauren. Five Art Exhibitions to See This Weekend. Dallas Observer. December 3, 2014.
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/mixmaster/2014/12/five_art_exhibitions_to_see_this_weekend_3.php
2013 Blair, Michael Frank. Intersections at UNT on the Square. July 20, 2013.
http://glasstire.com/2013/07/10/intersections-at-unt-on-the-square/
Thomas’s work is largely mixed media and often exists in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional realms; her work relates to drawing and painting as well as sculpture and fibers. She has shown at numerous venues including solo exhibitions at 500X Gallery and Cora Stafford Gallery. Thomas’s work was also featured in Biennial-600: Sculpture at the Amarillo Museum of Art.
Artist Statement
The tradition of gathering around the radio, television or other device during historic moments has carried on from generation to generation. Inspired by recent news stories, this series of artworks references objects of mass communication over the last 150 years in relationship to significant events in women’s history such as the present-day #meToo movement.
Individually, these pieces invite viewers to participate by joining near a screen during a given moment. Together they parallel not only the multitude of news we experience today but also surround sound system arrangements. Each work embodies the experience of at once being broadcasted yet not heard. This series is created with painterly layers of textiles and threading that simultaneously echo craft medium.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
2015 University of North Texas, Master of Fine Art
Painting and Drawing
2012 Louisiana State University, Honors College, Bachelor of Fine Arts
Major Painting and Drawing, Minor Art History
Magna Cum Laude, College Honors
Honors Undergraduate Thesis: A Timeless Impermanence
Other Education
2014 Eric McMaster Digital Fabrication Workshop, University of North Texas: Denton, Texas
2011 Linda Wintraub Creative Workshop, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Prospect 2 New Orleans, Dan Cameron, Louisiana State University: New Orleans, Louisiana
Solo Exhibitions
2015 Over/Under, Cora Stafford Gallery: Denton, Texas
2014 Soft Space, 500X Gallery: Dallas, Texas
Selected Group Exhibitions
2015 Biennial-600: Sculpture, Juried by Leigh Arnold, Amarillo Museum of Art: Amarillo, Texas
CHAOS!!!, Ro2 Art: Dallas, Texas
5 to Watch: Reloaded, curated by Susan Roth Romans and Jordan Roth of Ro2 Art, The Gallery at Visit Addison: Dallas, Texas
Graduate Spring Invitational, Lightwell Gallery: Denton, Texas
2014 5 to Watch, Curated by Susan Roth Romans and Jordan Roth of Ro2 Art, The Gallery at Visit Addison: Dallas, Texas
The Turn, Cora Stafford Gallery, University of North Texas: Denton, Texas
Great Stuff, Cora Stafford Gallery, University of North Texas: Denton, Texas
11th Annual Hecho en Dallas, Juried by Kayla Escobedo, Lucas Martell, Francisco Moreno,
Arthur Pena, and Giovanni Valderas, Latino Cultural Center: Dallas, Texas
Graduate Spring Invitational, Lightwell Gallery, University of North Texas: Denton, Texas
Toulouse Graduate School Exhibition, Gateway Center, University of North Texas: Denton, Texas
2013 Student Discount, Juried by Lisa Hees, LauraLee Brott and Leslie Connally, 500x Gallery: Dallas, Texas
Graduate Fall Invitational, Lightwell Gallery, University of North Texas: Denton, Texas
Intersections: Collaborative Inquiries in Painting, UNT on the Square: Denton, Texas
Graduate Exhibition Encore, UNT on the Square: Denton, Texas
Graduate Spring Invitational, Lightwell Gallery, University of North Texas: Denton, Texas
Toulouse Graduate School Exhibition, Union Gallery, University of North Texas: Denton, Texas*
2012 LSU BFA Show, Foster Gallery, Louisiana State University: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
White Light Night Art Show, Yvette Marie’s: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
LSU Juried Student Art Show, Union Gallery, Louisiana State University: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
LSU A+D Student Show, Commons Gallery, Louisiana State University: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The Commons Private Collection, Louisiana State University: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
2011 LSU Juried Student Art Show, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
2010 TVAA Nostalgia Show, TVAA Downtown Gallery: Dallas, Texas
Awards and Honors
2015 Nasher Sculpture Center Microgrant Finalist (Juried by: Leigh Arnold, Frances Bagley, Annette Lawrence, John Pomara, Anna Smith, and Tony Tasset)
College of Visual Art and Design Outstanding Graduate Student in Studio Art
2014 College of Visual Art and Design Project Award: Soft Space
Graduate Assistantship Tuition Scholarship
Thomas Norby Memorial Scholarship
2013 Toulouse Graduate School Exhibition, Third Place for Visual Arts
UNT Academic Achievement Scholarship
2012 UNT Academic Achievement Scholarship
Tau Sigma Delta - Art and Design Honor Society
2011 LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation Honors Thesis Research Scholarship
2008 Rhode Island School of Design Annual Art Award
Teaching Experience
2015 Teaching Fellow, Instructor of Record, ASTU 2200: Beginning Figure Drawing
2014 Teaching Assistant, Independent Lab Instructor (Supervising Faculty Rachel Black), ART 1500: Drawing I
2013 Teaching Assistant, Independent Lab Instructor of Record (Supervising Faculty Elaine Pawlowicz) ART 1510: Drawing II
Teaching Assistant, Independent Lab Instructor of Record (Supervising Faculty Elaine Pawlowicz) ART 1510: Drawing II
Professional Experience
2015 Co-Curator of In the Making, UNT on the Square, Denton, Texas
University of North Texas: Area Assistant for the Drawing and Painting Department
Visual Art Scholastic Event Juror, North Texas Regions
Private Schools Interscholastic Association Juror, North Texas Region
2014 University of North Texas: Area Assistant for the Drawing and Painting Department
Visual Art Scholastic Event Juror, North Texas Regions
Private Schools Interscholastic Association Juror, North Texas Region
2013 Crow Collection of Asian Art: Department of Education Contract Intern
Visual Art Scholastic Event Juror, North Texas Regions
2012 Susan Cheal Studio Assistant: Denton, Texas
Crow Collection of Asian Art: Department of Education Contract Intern
2011 Texas Visual Art Association Downtown Gallery, Intern
2010 Texas Visual Art Association Downtown Gallery, Intern
Dallas Art Dealers Association, Intern
Lectures
2014 Guest Lecture and Collaborative Lesson Plan: Seventh and Eighth Grade Art Classes, Invited by Frank Hopkins, Calhoun Middle School, Denton, Texas
Graduate Student Panelist: College of Visual Arts and Design, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
Guest Lecture: Advanced Drawing Studio I. Invited by Vincent Falsetta, Department of Studio Art, College of Visual Arts and Design, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
Guest Lecture: Advanced Painting Studio I. Invited by Vincent Falsetta, Department of Studio Art, College of Visual Arts and Design, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
2013 Graduate Student Panelist: College of Visual Arts and Design, University of North Texas. Denton, Texas
Guest Lecture: Drawing II, invited by Elaine Pawlowicz, Department of Studio Art, College of Visual Arts and Design, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
Publications
2014 Top Five, Dec 4. 2011. Glasstire. December 4, 2014.
http://glasstire.com/2014/12/04/top-five-dec-4-2014/
Smart, Lauren. Five Art Exhibitions to See This Weekend. Dallas Observer. December 3, 2014.
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/mixmaster/2014/12/five_art_exhibitions_to_see_this_weekend_3.php
2013 Blair, Michael Frank. Intersections at UNT on the Square. July 20, 2013.
http://glasstire.com/2013/07/10/intersections-at-unt-on-the-square/
