Kathy Thomas
Art has always been a part of my life. My interests were developed at a very young age by several family members who were artists. I graduated from Kent State University in 1974 with a degree in Art Education with my senior thesis in crafts creating large colorful batiks.
During my Senior year I came to realize that there were no jobs in my field and would have to find a job to support my soon to be husband who was attending Harvard. Settling for an office assistant position I continued to pursue my art at the Cambridge Adult Education Center. But then life got busy and my true love of art was put on the back burner.
When moving to Holliston, Massachusetts in 1978 I became very active in The Holliston Arts Council and we started the concerts in the park that have expanded to a weekly event.
Years continued to go by without producing a drawing or painting. When my son was born in 1984 I stopped working and found I now had time for my art. Being older and wiser I was concerned about the chemicals and toxic material I used while a student and decided to take my first watercolor class at the local Danforth Art Museum. I still have my first completed painting and view it periodically to see my early beginning. After many classes and successful paintings I was offered a part time job with the Holliston Art Department where I taught for High School for five years. The talent of my young students inspired me to continue painting.
My part time position with the High School turned into full time. Having no available child care I had to resign. I then became very active in the private schools my son attended, volunteering and running many fund raising events. When my son entered boarding school I needed more to do than just paint so I accepted a job as the Executive Director of the Hopkinton Cultural Arts Center. It was a wonderful job and I enjoyed the interaction with artists and students. At this time I was also very involved with the Garden Club and was elected 2nd Vice President for Massachusetts. Again after 4 years I left my job for a new passion gardening, but I continued to paint. After being state president and traveling around Massachusetts I was elected to the National Garden Club New England Regional Director position in 2010. My passion for teaching has again lead me to offer weekly classes in Florida for the residents of my condo. My many non-artists are amazed with their hidden talent. I continue to paint and show my work when ever possible. I currently give work shops at the Beach Art Center in Indian Rocks. I have exhibited in Florida at the Beach Art Center, Mia's Gallery, Dunedin Art Center, 2nd Century Gallery and Stirling Gallery. I have also exhibited various shows in Massachusetts and at the Bristol Art Museum.
Kent State University 1970-1974
BS Art Education Senior Thesis: Batiks
Holliston Cultural Arts Council 6 years
Art Teacher Holliston High School 5 years
Hopkinton Arts Center 4 years
Master Flower Show Judge and Instructor
Landscape Design Consultant
Gardening Study Consultant
Past Executive Director of the Hopkinton Arts Center
Past President of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts
National Garden Clubs, New England Regional Director 2010-2012
Web Designer for Non-profits
Art has always been a part of my life. My interests were developed at a very young age by several family members who were artists. I graduated from Kent State University in 1974 with a degree in Art Education with my senior thesis in crafts creating large colorful batiks.
During my Senior year I came to realize that there were no jobs in my field and would have to find a job to support my soon to be husband who was attending Harvard. Settling for an office assistant position I continued to pursue my art at the Cambridge Adult Education Center. But then life got busy and my true love of art was put on the back burner.
When moving to Holliston, Massachusetts in 1978 I became very active in The Holliston Arts Council and we started the concerts in the park that have expanded to a weekly event.
Years continued to go by without producing a drawing or painting. When my son was born in 1984 I stopped working and found I now had time for my art. Being older and wiser I was concerned about the chemicals and toxic material I used while a student and decided to take my first watercolor class at the local Danforth Art Museum. I still have my first completed painting and view it periodically to see my early beginning. After many classes and successful paintings I was offered a part time job with the Holliston Art Department where I taught for High School for five years. The talent of my young students inspired me to continue painting.
My part time position with the High School turned into full time. Having no available child care I had to resign. I then became very active in the private schools my son attended, volunteering and running many fund raising events. When my son entered boarding school I needed more to do than just paint so I accepted a job as the Executive Director of the Hopkinton Cultural Arts Center. It was a wonderful job and I enjoyed the interaction with artists and students. At this time I was also very involved with the Garden Club and was elected 2nd Vice President for Massachusetts. Again after 4 years I left my job for a new passion gardening, but I continued to paint. After being state president and traveling around Massachusetts I was elected to the National Garden Club New England Regional Director position in 2010. My passion for teaching has again lead me to offer weekly classes in Florida for the residents of my condo. My many non-artists are amazed with their hidden talent. I continue to paint and show my work when ever possible. I currently give work shops at the Beach Art Center in Indian Rocks. I have exhibited in Florida at the Beach Art Center, Mia's Gallery, Dunedin Art Center, 2nd Century Gallery and Stirling Gallery. I have also exhibited various shows in Massachusetts and at the Bristol Art Museum.
Kent State University 1970-1974
BS Art Education Senior Thesis: Batiks
Holliston Cultural Arts Council 6 years
Art Teacher Holliston High School 5 years
Hopkinton Arts Center 4 years
Master Flower Show Judge and Instructor
Landscape Design Consultant
Gardening Study Consultant
Past Executive Director of the Hopkinton Arts Center
Past President of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts
National Garden Clubs, New England Regional Director 2010-2012
Web Designer for Non-profits