Kimberly Thomas is a passionate advocate for arts education, currently pursuing her PhD in Teaching and Learning at Clemson University with a focus in arts education. With a Master’s degree in Art Education from the University of Florida, Kimberly combines her academic background with hands-on teaching experience to create a unique learning environment for her students. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes discovery through experimentation, encouraging students to explore, make mistakes, and develop their own artistic voices. (It’s not a good art class unless someone ends up with clay in their hair!)

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Over the years, Kimberly has held several key roles, including Art and iLab Coordinator at The Bolles School and Teaching Artist at the Cummer Museum of Art. In these positions, she has built a focus around creative problem-solving and collaborative learning, bringing arts education to underserved communities and empowering students of all backgrounds to engage with art in meaningful ways.​

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Throughout her career, Kimberly has been recognized for her contributions to art and education, receiving grants and awards, including the Ottenstrauer Excellence in Teaching Grant, and Art Educator of the year for North East Florida. Her research and work in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic reflect her commitment to using art as a tool for community building. Whether in the classroom or the studio, Kimberly’s dedication to education and the arts is evident in every aspect of her work.

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A lover of all things bugs (especially moths), Kimberly’s art often features these creatures—whether painted, sculpted, or on her pottery, who doesn't love bugs and food? When she’s not in the studio, you can find her trying (and mostly failing) to stay upright on a paddleboard, but who needs to stand when sitting works just as well? As a mom to two wonderful kids, and a recovering farmer, Kimberly is at home in the clay and surrounded by students. 

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