Biography

Tom Harris is an accomplished Artist and Art Educator who began both professional art and teaching careers after earning his B.S. in Art Education in 1957.  He went on to complete his Master of Science degree in Art Education in 1967.

From 1958 to 1970, Tom spent the majority of these years painting, exhibiting, and gaining recognition for his work.  Some notable accolades include Ebony Magazine author Cedric Dover of “Negro Art in America” citing Tom as an outstanding Black Artist in the Nation.

After these rewarding years, Tom decided to withdraw from painting professionally and devote his time and creative energy toward opening a school of art for children appropriately named Art Unlimited Studio.  Tom operated the school for thirty years while simultaneously finding success and being recognized for his teaching achievements.  For example, Tom was selected by Grade Teacher Magazine as one of the Fifty Outstanding Art Teachers in the Nation.  Tom was nominated for the Illinois Governor’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts. He was also selected by the Golden Apple Award Committee as one of the 25 Outstanding Teachers in Illinois.

In addition to these fulfilling accomplishments, Tom authored Creating with Styrofoam and Related Materials and Creating with Paper through J.C. Ferguson Publishing Company, Art Treasures You Can Make through Scott Foresman Reading Systems, and Art Activities for Children (series) for Ebony Magazine through Johnson Publications.

After a forty year hiatus, Tom has returned to painting professionally and exhibiting his work.  His painting style has changed significantly to be intensively colorful with suggestions of whimsical, fanciful and magical imagery.  This new direction is a reflection of the years Tom spent teaching and working with children.  He believes that teaching art is a “two-way street” of learning.  The teacher learns and is inspired by the child as much as the child learns from the teacher.  It is this sharing that has made his life’s work so rewarding.  

Tom’s paintings are a part of numerous private, corporate, and public collections throughout the United States, Canada, England, and the Bahamas.