THOMAS BOWKER

Thomas was born in Youngstown, Ohio and grew up in the near by city of Niles. In his early years, he was permitted unrestricted creative play and showed signs of inventive activity at a very early age. Between the ages of six to twelve he developed a strong interest in art and received early recognition for his creative interests.  Later, his continued focus on art in high school led him to local and regional recognition and accomplishment in the visual arts. An emergence of style developed during his college years, where he majored in art at Youngstown State University, and at Kent State University. Here he further developed a lifelong pursuit in the arts and galvanized his visual arts capabilities manifesting itself in a career of art.. 

As a fine artist, Tom further expanded his education at the University of Michigan, where he received a Master of Arts. During these years and to the present, he has won various awards and recognition in local, regional and national juried exhibitions, made numerous regional and international art presentations;  has been represented in various art galleries; has work in private collections throughout the United States, and holds a U.S. patent on an invented artist’s movable canvas, The Participed.

During the last several years, at various times, Thomas has also been an artist-in-residence at the Inn and Spa at Loretto, Santa Fe and has exhibited and demonstrated sculptural concepts and techniques at the Abiquiu Inn, Abiquiu, New Mexico, where he shows works in the gift store from time to time. Lastly, for over twenty five years to the present, he has co-owned and operated an art studio-gallery in Michigan and in Santa Fe.

The artist believes he should create aesthetic experiences and outcomes which utilize a broad range of tools, materials and techniques that communicate men and women’s unique conditions to the viewer. His art is a visual, concrete and elemental language. He does not try to restrict or narrow its translation choosing rather to broaden its meaning and impact to the greatest possible audience. 

Tom engages the viewer’s mind to think about their closely held beliefs…to challenge their aesthetic understanding and question their own values. His art is not restricted to any one medium and typically represents a deep probing and often metaphorical investigation.

Tom’s art studio, with adjoining gallery, is located at 121 Camino Escondido in Santa Fe, New Mexico, just a few minutes from Historic Canyon Road.