THOMAS FERRARO
Picture

ABOUT


ARTIST STATEMENT

"Through my eyes, all art is an abstraction.  Reality is only found in nature and the experience of our existence.  My
work deals with the emotional narrative of my experience using imagery based on the people, places and events of my
life. Compositions are arranged around formal elements of light, color and shape in ways that reflect my relationship
to the world and objects around us.

Figures and landscapes are often my favorite subject matter.   Their presence however, does not guarantee a clear
interpretation of a scene at hand.  Often times, this is left to the viewer, who has the opportunity to insert their own
narrative.

My art goes beyond the literal interpretation of a work and is designed to fuel abstract thought.   It is my way to help
clarify the reality that is my world."
 
Thomas Ferraro is an exhibiting artist, teaching artist, painter and cultural advocate who lives and works in Erie, Pa.
He is currently the chair of the Erie Arts and Culture, a member or the Northwest Pennsylvania Artists Association and Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, and is involved in many initiatives related to the arts including education and community development, including Culture Spark and Erie Vital Signs.

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Thomas Ferraro
656 W. 9th St., Erie, Pa. 16502
tom_ferraro@msn.com
 tferraro.com  

Solo Exhibitions

Safety Zone, Erie Art Museum, Holstein Gallery, 2020-2021
#Words#Framed, Octagon Gallery, Patterson Library, Westfield, NY 2019
I Read the News Today, Oh Boy!, Galerie, Erie Insurance Group, Erie, Pa., 2018
Far From Home, Glass Growers Gallery, Erie, Pa., 2017
Another World, Galeria, Erie Insurance Corporate Gallery, 2015
Persons of Interest, Urraro Gallery, Erie, Pa., 2014
Head in the Clouds, Kelly Run Gallery, Cambridge Springs, Pa., 2013 
In the Box, Erie Art Museum, Ronald E. Holstein Gallery, Erie, Pa, 2011
Galeria, Erie Insurance Group, Erie, Pa. 2010
Human Nature, Urraro Gallery, Erie, Pa. 2006
Bridges Past and Present, Urraro Gallery, Erie, Pa. 2005
Paintings from my World, Glass Growers Gallery, Erie, Pa. 2004

Two Person Exhibits

Side Show by the Seashore, Tom Ferraro and Justus Cotterill, 1020 Holland, Erie, Pa 2010
The Color of Shape, The Shape of Color, Tom Ferraro and Passle Helminski, Urraro Gallery, Erie, Pa 2008
Two Young Artists, Tom Ferraro and Brian Gormley, Kelleher Gallery, NYC, NY 1982

Selected Group Exhibits

108th Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Annual Exhibition, Wendy Given and Ben Owen, jurors, Pittsburgh International Airport, 2021
NPAA Biennial, Erie Art Museum, Paolo Ventura, Juror, 2021
Erie Art Museum, 98th Annual Spring show, Anthony Lugo, Juror, 2021
Erie Art Museum, 97th Annual Spring Show, Aruna D’Souza, Juror, 2020
Barracuda, 1020/ Collective, Three person exhibition, Erie, Pa. 2020
Erie Art Museum, NPAA Biennial,  Henry Adams, Juror, Erie, Pa, 2019
Westmorland Museum of American Art, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, 107th Annual Exhibition, Juana Williams, Curator at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Art, Juror, 2019
Erie Art Museum, 96th Annual Spring Show, 2019
Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, 106th Annual Exhibition, Taras W. Matla, Acting Director, University of Maryland Art Gallery, Juror, Pittsburgh, Pa., 2018
Erie Art Museum,  95th Annual Spring Show,  Wendy Maruyama, Juror, 2018
Hoyt Art Center, New Castle, Pa, National Juried Exhibition, Reto Thuring, Cleveland Museum of Art, Juror, 2018
NPAA Biennial, West Erie Plaza, Erie, Pa., 2017
Bayfront Gallery, Erie, Pa, 2012-2017
92nd Annual Spring Show, Erie Art Museum, Erie, Pa., 2015
NPAA Biennial, Under the Clock, Boston Store, Erie, Pa., 2015
91st Annual Spring Show, Erie Art Museum, Erie, Pa., 2014
NPAA Biennial at Lovell Place, NPAA invitational exhibition, 2013
Featured Artist, Graffiti Gallery, Oil City, Pa, 2013
Freedom , Cummings Gallery, Mercyhurst University, Invitational Exhibit, 2012
Creative HANDS, NPAA invitational Exhibition, Housing and Neighborhood Development, 2012
Archived Exhibit, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh , David Bowers, Juror, Fein Gallery, Pittsburgh, Pa., juror’s award, 2012
Timeless, Silver Eye Center for Photography,  Juror: Amanda Donnan, Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, Pa., July 2012
Panorama, Erie Summer Festival of the Arts, Shuster Gallery, Gannon University, Juried Exhibition, Erie, Pa., June 2012
NPAA Campbell’s Stonewall Gallery, Invitational Exhibition, Venango, Pa, 2012
NPAA Mercyhurst University, Invitational Exhibition, Cummings Gallery, Mercyhurst University, 2012
101st Annual Exhibition, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Society of Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, Pa., Fo Wilson, Juror 2011
Inside/ Outside, Goggleworks, Reading, Pa, 2011
NPAA Biennial, Erie/Meadville, Invitational, 2011
100th Annual Exhibition, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museum of Art,  Al Minor, Donald Miller, jurors, 2010 
New Directions’10, Barrett Art Center, 26th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Nat Trotman, juror, Poughkeepsie, NY, 2010
The Mercantile Show, The Mercantile Building, Erie ,Pa 2010
AAP Past/Present, traveling juried exhibit, Seton Hill University, Robert Morris University, Westminister College, 2010
Nuts and Boltz, Northwestern Pennsylvania Artists Association, 1020 Holland, Erie, Pa. 2009
Friends of Mercyhurst, Mercyhurst Old Main, Erie, Pa. 2007-2013
NPAA Winter 2009, Rotunda Gallery, Westfield, NY, 2009
Candid, New Art Center, New York, NY, 2009
Growth, Cohen and Grimbsly  LLC, Pittsburgh, Pa. 2009
Three Rivers Arts Festival, Liberty Ave Gallery, Pittsburgh, Pa, 2009
October Evenings , Heeshorn Gallery, Meadville, Pa. 2004, 2005, 2009
Earth and Fire, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Pittsburgh, Pa. 2008
Cannabis, New Art Center, New York, NY, 2008
NPAA in Brooklyn, Lucky Gallery, Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY 2007
79 North, Heeshorn Gallery, Meadville, Pa. 2007
NPAA Invitational, Mercyhurst College Cummings Gallery, Erie, Pa. 2007
Influx, Pittsburgh Technical Institute, Pittsburgh, Pa. 2007
Ruth Jageman Panorama, Raymond Blasco Memorial Library, Erie, Pa 2006, 2007, 2008
New Art Center, MiWAA Group Exhibit, NYC, NY 2007
Butler Institute of Art/Salem, AAP Group Show, Salem, Ohio 2005
2005 Hoyt Regional Art Show, Hoyt Institute of Fine Art, New Castle, Pa. 2005
AAP Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts, Hoyt institute of Fine Arts, New Castle, Pa. 2005
81st Annual Spring Show, Erie Art Museum, Erie, Pa. 2004  





Public Art:  The Looking Glass Art Project

150 Year Anniversary Mural, Borough of Union City, Pa., 12’ x 40’, 2021
The Pontiacs, Pontiac field mural at Bayview Park, Erie, Pa., 2020, Our West Bayfront Neighborhood organization
Universalist Unitarian Church Mural, 10’ x 45”, Erie, Pa. 2020
Ben Franklin Technology, Art+Tech+Entrepreneur Experience, Mixed Media with interactive light and sound, 18’ x 20’, Penn State, Behrend Campus, Knowledge Dr., Erie, Pa, 2019
SSJ Neighborhood Network, Larry’s Market, Acrylic on Polytab, 20’ x50’, Larry’s Market, 17th and Sassafras St., Erie, Pa. 2019
Eastside Neighborhood Coalition:  Three murals along Buffalo Rd in east Erie.  Each mural was created in collaboration with House of Mercy, EUCDC and JFK Center, Acrylic on Polytab, 2019
Erie Downtown Partnership/ International Institute of Erie, Erie School District,  “I Am, I Will Be, Erie’s Future”  Acrylic on Polytab, 32’ x 24’, Palace Center, 915 State St., Erie, Pa, 2018
Erie Federal Credit Union, Mixed media with fused glass, recycled brass and bronze, 10’x12’, Erie Federal Credit Union Corporate office, Erie, Pa, 2018
Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network, “Garden to Table” 12’ x 30” Mural, Acrylic on Polytab fabric, 18th and Hickory, Erie, Pa., 2017
Martin Luther King Center,  Erie, Pa. “Let the Children Sing” 17’ x 30’ Mural, Acrylic on Polytab fabric., 312 Chestnut St., Erie, Pa. 2017
Church of the Covenant, “Creation”, 5’ x 70’ Mural, Acrylic on Polytab fabric, 7th and Myrtle St Playground, Erie, Pa., 2017
Art and Industry, Community public art project funded in part by Artworks Grant, National Endowment of the Arts, United Way of Erie County, Erie Arts and Culture, Pa. Council of the Arts and Erie County Technical Center, Three public art pieces celebrating Erie Pa’s industrial Heritage,  Three Installations include:
-Fruits of Labor, Metal, repurposed material, 20’x40’,  13th and Holland St., Erie, Pa, 2016
-Setting the Stage for Erie’s Future, Erie Playhouse Rehearsal Hall, 27’x30’ mural, Acrylic on polytab fabric, E. 12th St, Erie, Pa, 2016
-The Path of Innovation, Stainless Steel and mixed media, 9’ x 70’, 12th and Greengarden, Erie, Pa., 2016
Snoops Neighborhood Watch Mural Project, Erie, Pa.  Design, fabricate and Install four outdoor community murals celebrating ethnic diversity and heritage.  Polish Heritage, acrylic on ploy tab, 8’x 15’, 2015,  Nepal Heritage, acrylic on polytab, 8’ x 12’, 2015, Somalia Heritage, acrylic on cinder block, 8’ x 9’, 2015, Bhutan Heritage, acrylic on polytab, 25’ x 22’, 2015
Rouse Home, Design, fabricate and install 2 murals at Rouse Estate.  “Letters to the Universe”  One mural located in the lobby at the Rouse Home, 8’ x 9’ oil on panel.  One mural on exterior wall of Rouse Suites, 22’ x 8’, Acrylic on Polytab 2014
Seasons of Flight,Housing and Neighborhood Development Services, St Joseph’s Apartments , W. 6th and Maryland, Erie, Pa.,, Acrylic on Ploytab, mosaic on hardboard, 18’x40’, 2016  
“Ribbons of Life, Love and Hope” Housing and Neighborhood Development Services, Villa Marie Apartments, Erie, Pa.
Mixed media, including acrylic on polytab, mosaic on hardboard. 25’ x 18’, 2014 
“Works”  Lifeworks Senior Center, Erie, Pa., acrylic, wood, metal, plaster, 6’ x 9’,  2013
 “Life”, Lifeworks Senior Center, Erie, Pa., mixed media on high density foam, polytab and metal, 6’ x 12’, 2012
“Lets Move Outside”, Designed and Fabricated fifteen individual trail markers for fifteen communities throughout Erie County, Pennsylvania, Steel, limestone, glass and acrylic, 48” x 30” , 2011, 2012, www.letsmoveoutside.org


Publications AND MEDIA

Public Art
Showcase, Erie Times News,  Art +Tech, Christopher  Millette, December 2019
Erie Times News, Collective Vision, January 2019
Lake Erie Lifestyle Magazine, 12th Street Story, Abby Badach, December 2016
Erie Times News, To Fully Understand Erie, Start with the Art, Pat Bywater, October 19, 2016
Erie Times News, Sculpture celebrates Erie’s Fruits of Labor, Jack Hanrahan, August 18th, 2016
Erie Times News, Art at Work, Christopher Millette, June 11th, 2016
Erie Times News, Community Art, Sarah Crosby, July 4th, 2015
Blogs:  America for the Arts / National Endowment of the Arts

Other Publications and Media

Perspectives, Fall, Winter 2019, 2020, The Westmorland Museum of American Art
Lake Erie Lifestyle magazine, November, 2019, 
Pittsburgh Post Gazzette, Marylynne Pitz, Local Artists Talents Exhibited in AAP Exhibition, September, 17th, 2018
Showcase, Erie Times News, Karen Rene Merkle, May, 2017
The Forest Press, Tionesta, Pa., March 23, 2016
Showcase, Erie Times News, They’re Watching You, Karen Rene Merkle, November, 2014
Showcase, Erie Times News, The Sky’s the Limit, Karen Rene Merkle, August 8th, 2013
Pittsburgh Tribune, TIMELESS, Kurt Shaw, August 1st, 2012
Erie Reader, Visual Experiences: IN THE BOX, Luke Gehring, November 2, 2011
Showcase, Erie Times News, IN THE BOX, Karen Rene Merkle, October 27th, 2011 
Pittsburgh Tribune, Associated Artists Centennial Exhibit, Kurt Shaw, August 8, 2010
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, THE LANGUAGE OF ART, Mary Thomas, August 1, 2010
WQLN Radio, All Things Erie, Interview with Tom Plye, February, 1012
WQLN Radio, A CANVAS OF POSSIBILITIES,  Interview with Kim Young,  July 2010
Showcase, Erie Times News, ART RENEWAL, The Mercantile Show, Karen Rene Merkle, June 2010
Showcase, Erie Times News, BEAUTIFUL, BEASTLY, Side Show by the Sea Shore, Karen Merkle, May 2010
Erie Life Magazine, Speculum Mundi: Erie Arts, January 2010
Showcase, Erie Times News, Visual Arts Review, the Year 2009, Dec. 31st, 2009
Showcase, Erie Times News, SKY’S THE LIMIT, Nuts & Boltz, Karen Rene Merkle, August 2009
Showcase, Erie Times News, FROM MOTORSHOP TO ARTS SPACE , Karen Rene Merkle, August 27th, 2009
Lake Erie Lifestyle Magazine,  Art Erie, February 2009 
Erie Life Magazine, An Artistic Passion, May 2008

Looking Glass Art Project video link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd5awke91AM

 Professional Affiliations

Co-director, Northwestern Pennsylvania Artist Association (NPAA) 2008-2016
Standards committee chairman, NPAA 2006-2008, 2015
Associated Artists of Pittsburgh 2005-current
Culture Spark, Erie, Pa 
Pa. Council of the Arts, Erie Arts and Culture, Teaching Artist 2010-current
Trustee, Board of Directors, Erie Arts and Culture, 2014-2020
Interim Executive Director, Erie Arts & Culture, May-September 2018
 
Related Work/ Professional Experience
 
Creating with Community residency coordinator for 12 artist cohort, Erie Arts and Culture, 2021
Artist in Residence, Strong Vincent Middle School, Erie School District, Erie, Pa., 2018, 2019, 2020
Artist in Residence, Erie High School 2018
Artist in Residence, International Institute of Erie 2018
Artist in Residence, Emerson-Gridley School, Erie School District, Erie, Pa., 2017
Artist in Residence, Erie Art Museum, Kids as Curators, 2013, 2015, 2016
Adjunct faculty, Mercyhurst University, North East, 2009-2014
Juror, Associated Artist of Pittsburgh, New member screening, 2013 
Teaching Artist , Lifeworks Erie, LIFE 2012,2013, 2015
Artist in Residence, Ridgeway Area High School, 2013
Artist in Residence, Wattsburgh Area Schools, Medal of Honor Foundation, 2012, 2013
Artist in Residence Program, Erie School District, 2010-2011
Artist in Residence, Art in Action, ArtsErie, Penncrest School District 2011
Visiting Artists Series, Slippery Rock University 2009
McCain Fund, grant recipient, ArtsErie for NPAA Nuts & Boltz Exhibition, 2009

Education

University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fla. BFA 1977
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY, 1981
Art Students League of New York, NYC 1982-83
Artist CV

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