By Dan Nonte, University Relations
David R. Thomas
The recently renovated Current Periodicals Reading Room on the first floor of Jackson Library has been enhanced with the gift and loan of a number of paintings by UNCG alumnus David R. Thomas ’77.
The exhibition includes abstract oil paintings and pastels of Anna Zheleznyakova with her students of the Russian Ballet. The exhibition is presented in honor of Anna’s mother, Ann Marie Fela (1926-2005). Thomas is donating the original pastel “Ballerina Anna Zheleznyakova” of his poster announcing her 2004 appearance at the Carolina Theatre.
Thomas grew up in Newark, Del., and attended Newark High School. His family is from Virginia and the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, where he spent many summers.
After attending Brevard College, he entered UNCG in 1975 and graduated with the Class of 1977. He studied sculpture with Peter Agostini, took classes in painting from Andy Martin, print making from Bob Gerhart and John Maggio, and many hours of non-credit life drawing with Walter Barker.
Thomas created a poster to announce Anna Zheleznyakova's 2004 performance at the Carolina Theatre.
He went to work as a picture framer after college and started to teach picture framing and later art classes for Guilford Technical Institute, now known as Guilford Technical Community College. He taught painting in oil and acrylic, pastels, pottery, and art history in the continuing education curriculum.
Thomas recalls his relationships with the art faculty at UNCG with great fondness. He founded the Artery Gallery in August of 1983 and has had the honor of framing works by many of his professors, including Walter Barker, Andrew Martin, Bob Gerhart and John Maggio.
The exhibit, on display through Aug. 15, may be viewed whenever Jackson Library is open .
