Judy Thomas began her formal art studies at the University of Iowa where she majored in painting, drawing and printmaking. In her junior year, she was one of 30 art students from around the country to be selected for the Yale Summer School of Art at Norfolk. After receiving her BFA from Iowa in 1982, Judy won a Harriet Hale Woolley fellowship to Paris to study with renowned printmaker S.W. Hayter at the Atelier 17.

In 1986, Judy moved to New York City to attend graduate school at Hunter College. After completing her MFA in Painting in 1988, she joined the mass exodus of young artists to Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The pioneering, renegade spirit of the early 90's helped to shape the direction of her art. Turning away from painting, Judy began to create temporary, large scale sculptural works. These individual works were specifically created for the abandoned warehouse spaces along the waterfront in Brooklyn, as well as more accessible venues in Manhattan and the around the country.

Judy's collaboration with Laura Ward has been a natural extension of her artwork. Their first project in 2001 at Williamsburg Art Nexus was a success. The spirit of cooperation continues in 2004 at Merce Cunningham Studio, where Judy will be creating sculptural pieces to compliment Laura's unique choreography.

Judy Thomas online portfolio