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Artist Spotlight
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Jo Beth Thomas |
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Name:
Jo Beth Thomas
City of Birth:
Charleston, West Virginia
City of Residence:
Miami
Artistic Medium:
Fine Art Mosaics
How did you get started?
My mother was a painter so I was exposed to the arts at an early age. My
passion was the art of showing saddle-bred horses until my later teenage/young
adult years. I majored in art in college and in my mid-20s I became a potter, a
craft that I pursued for many years. I taught pottery classes at Grove House and
the Ceramic League in Miami.
Who or what are your influences?
Mosaic being my current medium; I was very influenced by the Klimt mosaics in
the Stoclet Palace in Brussels. I had an invitation to have a private viewing
there. After completing an inspired piece, I promised myself a trip to
Barcelona to view Gaudi's magnificent works if the piece sold. It did. These
are the influences extraordinaire.
What inspires your work?
My artist/writer friends.
How does Miami/South Florida influence your work?
Miami is a tossed salad of cultures. It's vibrant, enchanting, steamy, stormy,
seedy and as Carl Fisher said, "The folly of felons." It's home.
How would you describe your work?
I'm influenced by all things tropical and sub-tropical. I love the old Florida
souvenir images, which I translate into mosaics large and small---from
fireplaces and swimming pools to frames and boxes. I recently did a fireplace in
the Bahamas for Sidney Poitier's daughter, Pamela. It was done with conch
shells, which we collected out of the ocean, along with corals and various other
shells. Other found objects on location were used. I took a small amount of
aqua luster glass to relate to the panoramic view of the ocean. This was a
magical week.
What has been the most unusual reaction to your work from the public?
They buy most of it!
What would you like to achieve as an artist?
Personally, I have achieved my goals. Professionally, I am involved in
Arts4Learning, a corporate funded after school program for intercity schools.
When there is a child that is inspired by me teaching them my craft that is an
important achievement to me.
Upcoming shows:
A show that is only in the planning stage called "Lemon City." No date set,
probably about a year away.
Where is your work available?
Private commissions and:
Fairchild Tropical Garden
10901 Old Cutler Road
Coral Gables, FL 33156
Harmony Isle Gallery
902 NE 19th Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304
Waterwheel Art Gallery
5195 First Coast Hwy
Amelia Island, FL 32034
Contact Artist:
Jo Beth Thomas
Subtropics2@aol.com
305-895-3692
If you are an artist and would like to be a part of Artist
Spotlight, contact Mary Damiano at
StarrWriter2000@aol.com
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