Michelle Thomas

Michelle Sindha Thomas is a California-based writer and artist whose award winning work contributes to international collections. Thomas grew up in Chicago's Riverview neighborhood and graduated with honors from The University of Missouri where she studied art education. While teaching high school, she earned a Master of Liberal Arts degree at Washington University in Saint Louis, completed with explorations into art, literature, and film analysis and culminating in a publication entitled "And Others: The Pursuit of Minority Creative Expression 1984-Present". She works in a variety of media and essays themes of memory, place, and identity.

Artist's Statement:

My mother decided to give birth in India. When I was exactly 30 days old, we flew thousands of miles away from the tropics to a bright, cold, Chicago spring.

The immigrant's nature moves him. My parents were not of immigrant nature, yet by chance, by circumstance they landed in the US. Once they landed, it is true, they became movers, shakers, corporate gypsies, but only because they were searching for a fit; they were like puppies, circling, circling, circling, trying to find a comfortable spot in the world for our family. I am not of immigrant nature, though...

Washington University in St. Louis: Master of Liberal Arts with Thesis, 2011
Pierre Laclede Honors College at University of Missouri-St. Louis: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Education, Honors College Certificate in Humanities, 2005

2021: "Looking Out, Looking In: an introspective" Alice Gauvin Gallery, Biddeford, Maine
2020-2021: "On the Edge" de Young Museum, San Francisco, California
2021: "Party of One" illustrated artist statement, Open Space, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art interdisciplinary publishing platform
2021: "The Sun Babes" San Francisco, California
2018: "Cultural Kaleidoscope" teaching artist residency, Palo Alto Art Center, Palo Alto, California
2014: Ava's Art and Wine Gala, Mountain View California
2014: "Sense of Self" University Art, Palo Alto, California
2010-2012: "The Dreamers" Clayton, Missouri
2012: "Wings in the City" BJC Pediatric Hospice benefit, St. Louis, Missouri
2010: "Meneka and the Tricycle" Clayton, Missouri
2010: "Sense of Self" Gallery ADMIN, Florissant Missouri
2009-2010: "Elephant Eggs" Frontenac, Missouri
2009: "Home" University City, Missouri
2008: "Anthology" James Eagan Civic Center, Florissant, Missouri
2004: "ABCD" Gallery Visio, St. Louis, Missouri
2004: "Eclectic Art" University City, Missouri
2002: Cecille R. Hunt Gallery, St. Louis Missouri
2002: St. Louis Artists' Guild, St. Louis, Missouri
2001: Washington University St. Louis, portfolio competition first place
2000: St. Louis Artists'...