Type Of Business:
1) Art Gallery 2) University 3) Art Gallery
Marketing Area:
1) Regional 2) Regional 3) Regional
Expertise:
Mr. Thorns' ares of expertise include consultations for fine art collections, interior design for churches, homes and commercial properties, and the oversight of art collections.
Major Product/SVS:
1) Fine Arts 2) Higher Education 3) Fine Arts
Favorite Business Publication:
American Art Collector; Fine Art Connoisseur; Architectural Design
Hobbies/Sports:
Managing his Personal Art Studio, Painting, Making Collages
Education Degrees:
Master of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture and Design, The University of Iowa (1953); Master of Arts in Art History, Indiana University (1952); Bachelor of Arts in Art, Fort Hays State University (1950)
Affiliations Awards:
Consultant, Kansas Arts Commission; Kansas Watercolor Society; Phi Kappa Phi; National President, Delta Phi Delta; Phi Delta Kappa International
Place of Birth:
Denver, CO
Children's Names:
Karen, Jennifer (Deceased)
What has been the most outstanding thing you have done thus far in your career?:
Being able to continue to create art and be proactive in the art community at the age of 82 years old.
Expanded Biography:
Mr. Thorns was first exposed to prominent famous artists during his studies at Fort Hays State University, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in 1950. Henry Hope, a reputable contemporary art critic during this time period, was the chairman of then Department of Art at Indiana State University while Mr. Thorns received in master of arts degree in art history in 1952. In 1953, Mr. Thorns earned a master of fine arts degree at the University of Iowa. In 1973, Mr. Thorns replaced a retiree and became chairman of the Department of Arts, where he played a key role in developing specialized degrees and initiating ideas for an art gallery. In 1975, his dream came true when the university informed him that he had been chosen to design a new gallery that would be created within a two to three year time span, which was named after him and his friend, teacher, and colleague, Dr. Joel Moss.
His creations, featuring mainly landscapes, were heavily influenced by the sky including the Kansas horizons. A personal tragedy, the death of his daughter in a car accident in 1983, altered his artistic expression to include heavier brush strokes with larger and expanded representations of the sky. His daughter was an honors graduate of Fort Hays State University in the field of communications. Upon graduation, she was employed at the All American Symphony Orchestra League in Washington DC.
Now in retirement, he still continues to explore different artistic expressions of his ideas, focusing his new art on land and less on the sky, with even more detail and newly incorporated techniques. His career is noted for his contributions to the exponential growth of the Fort Hays State Department of Art, award-winning artwork, and statewide and national juried and one-man shows. Mr. Thorns was quoted in a 1960 writing stating ‘Creativity is a form of communication. The artist attempts to record concepts meaningful to him and to communicate to his fellow man. These may be experiences easily shared and recognized by others and at the same time, they may be hidden, deep seated experiences known only to the creator. Successful creative work is a balance between experience and ideas put into the tangible form of materials. It is hoped the observer is aware of this inter-relationship’
Mr. Thorns is currently he director of the Hadley Foundation Art Collection.
Spouse's Name:
Catherine (Deceased)
Throughout the duration of your career, what was the one highlight that stood out the most?:
The highlight of his career was having an art gallery named after him at Fort Hays State University.
Charity:
Hays Art Council; Executive Director, Hadley Arts Foundation
Number Of Years In Profession:
53
Number Of Years In Current Position:
38
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
He attributes his success to being a Bauhaus trained artist with established goals and a determination to succeed.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
He became involved in his profession because he always had an interest in art.
Extended Bio Profile:
Mr. Thorns is a published author. Mr. Thorns creates collages of landscapes using photographic materials from magazines which he resizes. He typically constructs 10-15 paintings per year.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Consulting and Educating on Fine Art
Awards/Honors:
Alumni Achievement Award, Fort Hays State University (1993); Art Enhancement Award, Kansas Art Education Association (1988); Governor's Artist (1984); Who's Who in the Midwest; Who's Who in American Art; Honoree, Men of Achievement; Outstanding Educator of America