Thomas Shelford [NRA 2010]

First name: Thomas ;
Middle name:  ;
Last name: Shelford ;

Member: Non-Resident Artist Member ; 
Begin: 2010 ;
End: n/a ;

Biography:

Norwalk-based artist Thomas J. Shelford has exhibited in the public collection of the U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands at The Hague, the Grenning Gallery of Sag Harbor NY, the Salmagundi Club of New York City where he has served as a Board Member, and the Gilles Larrain studio of New York City. Thomas has been a classical drawing instructor at the Long Island Academy of Fine Art and teaches workshops and private lessons.

Thomas obtained his art education by studying part-time at the Grand Central Academy, an atelier in midtown Manhattan which was founded by Jacob Collins and modeled after 19th-century teaching methods. He has studied with influential painters such as Richard Piloco, Robert Armetta, Travis Schlaht, Edward Minoff, Jon DeMartin, and Brian Schumacher.

Thomas works from a studio in the Norwalk Historic District and is an arts philanthropist, supporting environmental conservation charities with art exhibitions through his gallery and the Sound Arts Foundation.

Subscribing to the Renaissance model of the artist as polymath, he pursued an eclectic academic background including a minor degree in Mathematics. Thomas is also the father of two boys and an avid surfer.

Thomas is active in artistic and environmental conservation organizations including:

Resident Artist Member, Center for Contemporary Printmaking (Norwalk CT)
Member, CT Audubon Society (Fairfield, CT)
Member, Surfrider Foundation (San Clemente CA)