Kimberly Thomas
Artist. Researcher. Educator.
About Me
EXPERIENCE
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE/PROGRAM DEVELOPER:
NASSAU COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS/ARTS ALIVE NASSAU
TEACHING ARTIST, CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART
ESE/ART TEACHER, NASSAU ARTS ALIVE
EDUCATION INTERN, CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART
ART TEACHER K-12, BEACHES CHAPEL SCHOOL
ART TEACHER K-8, AMELIA ISLAND MONTESSORI
EDUCATION
AUGUST 2020 - MA IN ART EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
MAY 2005 - BFA IN DRAWING AND INSTALLATIONS, KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY
SHOWS AND PUBLIC WORK
Group installation at Museo de la Semana Santa Sor Juana de Maldonado, Antigua, Guatemala 2019
“Flight” solo show. Magpie Arts, Jacksonville, FL 2018
“Icarus” solo show, Union Arts Warehouse, Jacksonville, FL 2017
“Organically Grown” solo show, Mulberry Arts, Lancaster, PA 2006
3 Pieces on permanent display at San Francisco International Airport
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
“Imperative for Social Justice in Schools: Collaborations and Conversations with Community and
Educational Leaders”: University of Florida. Gainesville, FL. October 2019.
“Building relationships: Conversations and Art on Race in the Art Classroom”: Florida Art Educators
Association. St. Augustine, FL. November 2019.
“Friendship Circle: Cultural and Identity”: Florida – Dominican Republic Higher Education Summit. Santiago/Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. November 2019.
"Building relationships: Conversations and Art on Race in the Classroom": Art + Education for Social Justice Symposium. University of Georgia. Athens, GA. February 2020.
“Building relationships: Conversations and Art on Race in the Art Classroom”: National Art Educators
Association. Minneapolis, MN. March 2020.
RESEARCH AND TRAVEL AWARDS
March 2019 – Partial funding from University of Florida for community-based arts research in
Guatemala.
Nov 2019 – Full Funding for travel to speak at Florida Art Educators Association conference
Nov 2019 – Full funding for research for Mural work and Summit presenter Florida-Dominican
Republic Higher Education Summit
March 2020 – Partial Funding to Present at National Art Educators Conference
Awards and Appointments
University of Florida - Meta-Strategies working group on Research and Creativity - Building a Strategic plan: 2019-2020
Graduate Student Grant - University of Florida: 2019-2020
Academic Excellence - Kutztown University: 2005
Professional Associations
National Art Educators Association
Florida Art Educators Association
Narrative Biography
I have often said my passion is not art education. My passion is people and art is my language. Through experimentation, and exploration we can find meaning and method. My art and my pedagogy employ a method of working that challenges the artist or student to explore, experiment and to develop a voice and find something to say. Creation becomes a means of discovery about art, ourselves and others. Only through actively making, mistaking, marking and meandering can we find meaning. I was told early on in my research, “It’s not research if you already know the answer”. I believe, it’s not creation if we aren't actively making discoveries If we set out to produce with a clear vision, what have we truly learned? Throughout the history of visual culture, we have used images to find meaning whether that is as a communication tool or as a method of understanding and healing. Creation to heal communities, and creation to learn about one's self are my passion. This is what I teach. This is what I produce. This is why I Research.
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE/PROGRAM DEVELOPER:
NASSAU COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS/ARTS ALIVE NASSAU
TEACHING ARTIST, CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART
ESE/ART TEACHER, NASSAU ARTS ALIVE
EDUCATION INTERN, CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART
ART TEACHER K-12, BEACHES CHAPEL SCHOOL
ART TEACHER K-8, AMELIA ISLAND MONTESSORI
EDUCATION
AUGUST 2020 - MA IN ART EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
MAY 2005 - BFA IN DRAWING AND INSTALLATIONS, KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY
SHOWS AND PUBLIC WORK
Group installation at Museo de la Semana Santa Sor Juana de Maldonado, Antigua, Guatemala 2019
“Flight” solo show. Magpie Arts, Jacksonville, FL 2018
“Icarus” solo show, Union Arts Warehouse, Jacksonville, FL 2017
“Organically Grown” solo show, Mulberry Arts, Lancaster, PA 2006
3 Pieces on permanent display at San Francisco International Airport
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
“Imperative for Social Justice in Schools: Collaborations and Conversations with Community and
Educational Leaders”: University of Florida. Gainesville, FL. October 2019.
“Building relationships: Conversations and Art on Race in the Art Classroom”: Florida Art Educators
Association. St. Augustine, FL. November 2019.
“Friendship Circle: Cultural and Identity”: Florida – Dominican Republic Higher Education Summit. Santiago/Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. November 2019.
"Building relationships: Conversations and Art on Race in the Classroom": Art + Education for Social Justice Symposium. University of Georgia. Athens, GA. February 2020.
“Building relationships: Conversations and Art on Race in the Art Classroom”: National Art Educators
Association. Minneapolis, MN. March 2020.
RESEARCH AND TRAVEL AWARDS
March 2019 – Partial funding from University of Florida for community-based arts research in
Guatemala.
Nov 2019 – Full Funding for travel to speak at Florida Art Educators Association conference
Nov 2019 – Full funding for research for Mural work and Summit presenter Florida-Dominican
Republic Higher Education Summit
March 2020 – Partial Funding to Present at National Art Educators Conference
Awards and Appointments
University of Florida - Meta-Strategies working group on Research and Creativity - Building a Strategic plan: 2019-2020
Graduate Student Grant - University of Florida: 2019-2020
Academic Excellence - Kutztown University: 2005
Professional Associations
National Art Educators Association
Florida Art Educators Association
Narrative Biography
I have often said my passion is not art education. My passion is people and art is my language. Through experimentation, and exploration we can find meaning and method. My art and my pedagogy employ a method of working that challenges the artist or student to explore, experiment and to develop a voice and find something to say. Creation becomes a means of discovery about art, ourselves and others. Only through actively making, mistaking, marking and meandering can we find meaning. I was told early on in my research, “It’s not research if you already know the answer”. I believe, it’s not creation if we aren't actively making discoveries If we set out to produce with a clear vision, what have we truly learned? Throughout the history of visual culture, we have used images to find meaning whether that is as a communication tool or as a method of understanding and healing. Creation to heal communities, and creation to learn about one's self are my passion. This is what I teach. This is what I produce. This is why I Research.
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My WorkMy current artworks are a combination of fibers and oil paint representing feelings of being bound into certain rolls as both a woman and educator with a passion for fibers.
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Community and education are my passion. Art is my language.
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