Patch Arts Profiles Painter Nette Forne Thomas

Maplewood is fortunate to be home to the talented and accomplished Nette Forne Thomas. Over the years she has exhibited in many major African American shows, in regional museums and on college campuses. Thomas has been married to husband Ralph for over forty years. She is retired from the Newark School System where she was an art teacher and administrator. Today, she serves on the board of several arts organizations and continues to paint–often in the company of her young granddaughter, Shayla. Her work is on exhibit at the 1978 Gallery on Springfield Avenue until April 11.

Tell me about yourself. I was raised in Belleville, where there was a small, minority community. I was the only black student in every class. I was introverted as a child, although the term then was shy. In my own little circle, I was a leader. When we played school—I was the teacher.

I was always artistic, always drew, art was my way of retreating and being my self. My teachers were wonderful, and a couple of them stand out. Mrs. Hemingway, my fifth-grade teacher, was very supportive of my art. When that year was over she gave me a present of art supplies. A high school teacher who influenced me was Mr. Deal who advised me to apply to Pratt.

Pratt was very interesting but not the right place for me. After a year I transferred to Montclair where I majored in art education. Montclair was great. I concentrated on painting and now I'm on the board of the School's George Segal Gallery.

I've always said that I'm an artist-educator—I taught in the Newark Public School system for years and was lucky enough to be faculty at Arts High. It was great being there because the focus was on the arts. All the students were recruited. I would go out and visit elementary schools looking for talented students. The students wanted to be there and their parents supported them. Small classes and interested students? Couldn't ask for anything better. I retired in 2000 when I still enjoyed teaching.

Do you think that teaching 'limited' your art? Something that was said to me years ago, when I said I was going to be an artist in addition to teaching, was that art teachers didn't create art. I was determined that my teaching wouldn't limit me. By continually exhibiting, by taking advantage of opportunities I came to know established artists and developed my own art.

What advice would you give to a young artist, trying to get started in this economy?  You've got to stay out there. That's the main thing. Check out the many storefront galleries that are opening up, there are quite a few in New York City. Check out arts organizations—like the lottery slogan says: ya gotta be in it to win it. Another piece of advice is don't pigeonhole yourself in one thing. Keep moving and growing. Don't be afraid of people not liking you or your work, you're not doing it because of that, you're doing it because of a passion.

Tell me about the George Segal Gallery. The George Segal Gallery at Montclair University is a professional, accredited gallery, not used for student shows. Even board members who wish to exhibit are not exempt from the jury process. The Gallery exhibits world-class artists such as Alexander Calder. When I was first asked to be on the Board, about eight or nine years ago, they were housed in a small room. The Director, Teresa Rodriguez, had applied for the Segal collection but three different colleges were vying for it—coming to Montclair was a long shot. The Gallery naming rights were purchased by Segal Foundation, which gave the Gallery the financing to actually get the place built. There are several Segal sculptures on permanent display, Five Figures At A Bus Stop, is very well-known.

Do you serve on other Boards? How did you get involved? I am on the Board of The Pen and Brush, a woman's arts organization in New York City, and serve as the organization's first vice president. I'm also a Board member at Maplewood's 1978 Arts Center. All of the organizations are arts-oriented, they keep me alive and busy.

I've been involved with 1978 for eight years. I was giving a slide presentation of my artwork at the Newark Museum. Afterward there was a Q and A where I mentioned Maplewood. Ellen Greenfield came up after and it turned out that we were neighbors, which was a coincidence.

My involvement with Montclair's George Segal Gallery started the same way. I went to a Ben Jones exhibit. While I was there, a friend came over and said that someone was asking about me. The 'someone' turned out to be Teresa Rodguiez, who wanted me to be on the Gallery's board.

A woman on the Board of The Pen and Brush called me up, they were looking for artists for their first Black History Month exhibit, could I help? I helped with exhibit and joined the organization. Now I'm on the board and the First Vice President.

How long have you lived here in Maplewood?  I moved to Maplewood almost 36 years ago, for the school system—Columbia High School has such a good reputation. Ironically my daughter Athena wound up attending Science High School in Newark. Maplewood has been a wonderful place to live. We have lots of friends, we have a big backyard and garden. I started gardening after I retired and took master gardeners classes in Roseland. My husband and I put in six backyard ponds and I've exhibited on two Maplewood garden club tours.

You received a Dodge Fellowship—that's impressive. The Geraldine Dodge foundation has a artist educator initiative. It was started over 15 years ago to encourage art teachers to produce their own art —to take away obstacles. Arts teachers can use the fellowship to inspire and encourage students, it helps art educators, art teachers who just stopped producing art. 

I used my Fellowship to explore the use of fabric and lace in two-dimensions. I called the project "Sharing Connections" concentrating on elderly Southern women and the rich heritage of craft traditions and I visited senior citizen centers in several southern states, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Texas. My husband and I didn't want to spend all summer travelling so we checked maps and found senior citizen facility near airport. When I got back I visited a Newark senior citizen facility with my students. We tried to make a quilt but the kids' results were terrible. We took the project back to the senior center and they fixed it right up into a beautiful creation.

So, who is your favorite artist? I like Ben Jones, Bisa Washington, Willie Cole. Gladys Grauer who exhibits at 1978 is an inspiration. But I spend every other Friday night painting with my favorite artist, my granddaughter Shayla.