ARTIST INFO
KIMBERLEY THOMAS
Penland, NC
GLASS | Sculpture
Penland Affiliation | Penland Resident Artist 2024 – 2023, Penland Instructor 2021, Penland Studio Assistant 2016
Artist Information | Studio artist; education: BFA Rhode Island School of Design (RI), University of the Arts in Jewelry & Metalsmithing (PA); teaching: Snowfarm the New England Craft Program (MA), Penland School of Craft (NC), Touchstone Center for Craft (PA), Flint Institute of the Arts (MI), Urban Glass (NY), Pilchuck Glass School (WA), Corning Museum of Glass (NY), Glass Alchemy Studio (OR), Salem Community College (NJ), Zen Glass Studio (FL), Henry Abbott Technical School (CT); exhibitions: Pilchuck Glass School (WA), Pittsburgh Glass Center (PA), Tyler School of Art (PA), Salem Community College (NJ), Glass Arts Society, Janice Charach Gallery (MI), Habatat Gallery (MI); awards and residencies: Penland Resident Artist, Pilchuck Emerging Artist in Residence, American Glass Expo Best Female Glass Artist nominee, American Glass Expo Best Central Territory Glass Artist nominee, Glassroots Art Show 2nd place
Artist Bio | Kimberly Thomas is a biracial interdisciplinary sculptor and flameworker residing in Detroit, Michigan. She is known for her work’s intentionally flawed and unusual motifs as well as her intricate sculptural inventions. A self-taught glass artist, Thomas earned a BFA in Ceramics from the Rhode Island School of Design and spent six years as a special effects make-up artist before she began flameworking in 2009.
Thomas’s work is often autobiographical and conveys her unique perception of the world. Drawing her influence from concepts, questions, and theories about human nature, she combines realism and fantasy. She imparts her truth into dark, yet entertaining, narratives. Recurring themes in her work include the undesirable facets of life and human nature, freedom from the corruption imposed by society, and expansion of self-knowledge. Thomas challenges viewers to face what makes them uncomfortable in order to invite opportunities for fresh perspectives and personal development.
Using intuition as a guide, Thomas’s creative process is a balancing act between experimentation and intention. She uses borosilicate glass as a core medium as well as steel, wood, and other mixed media to create her kinetic, sculptural inventions. Her attention to detail and regard for realism contribute to the intensity and sophistication of each piece.
Thomas is a prolific artist who is dedicated to her professional and creative growth. In addition to working in her studio in Detroit, Thomas exhibits her work in museums and galleries across the United States. She is a former professor of glass at Salem Community College in New Jersey and a guest instructor at various craft schools and studios, including Penland School of Craft and Pilchuck School of Glass. Most recently, she was selected for Pilchuck’s Emerging Artists in Residence Program where she plans to continue to evolve and expand her body of work and her artistic vision.
