Erin Thomas / South Berwick, ME

I have shown my canvas paintings, pastels and mixed media originals in several solo and group gallery shows across the Northeast for more than two decades, and have original works held in private collections both locally and around the globe.  I have worked and operated or managed creative and art-based small businesses in the Seacoast through consulting, curation and management until more recently taking a more active approach by leading several art initiatives to create a more vibrant arts and culture scene that is driven by the artists themselves.  I founded the BAA (Berwick Art Association) and a popular blog and art research group, Modspoke.  I am also an active photographer, and respond to local fire and first response scenes to document the on-call and volunteer fire services in our community.
 
Arts Industry Alliance and the TEAM initiative is one of only a few organizations that I have felt I can get behind.  The mentorships and peer to peer exchanges that have been taking place are beyond amazing and inspiring, and the advisors and Director Scott Ruffner are actually LISTENING to what artists need, and applying it to a growing and organic public dialogue and business model that is defined by what artists are asking of it.  AIA & TEAM have been speaking on behalf of a large cross section of artists and putting themselves in the line of fire on our behalf.    I have been honored to be a part of AIA/TEAM over the last couple years, as they take my opinion, stresses and experience with total seriousness, and they have connected me with the work and mentorships that I need to keep me on the right track to maintain a career as an artist.  I can't be more impressed with the willingness to put themselves out there for the greater good of the art scene itself.  I hadn’t been to Exeter in years until I started participating in their events, and look forward to my first solo show in years at TEAM’s Foundation Art Space in June.  If I were an Exeter resident or official, I would be putting my faith and financial support behind this community organization.