Nick Thornburg’s art reflects the tamed and untamed nature of things. It is work that reveals timelessness and transition.
Thornburg’s best-known oil paintings and illustrations display a rugged expressiveness alongside a refined sense of form and structure.
Through his research, writing, and studio work, Thornburg illuminates relationships between objects commonly held in opposition and probes deep into the meaning and practice of creativity.
View Nick’s Awards & Collections. Read press features here.
Background
Thornburg is a multidisciplinary artist and writer based out of Wyoming. After graduating from The University of Iowa with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Cinema & Comparative Literature and Theatre Arts, Thornburg went on to produce work that has been featured on the independent screen and stage, overseas at the Prague International Theater Design Quadrennial Exhibition, and at various institutions and exhibition spaces in the United States, including the Yellowstone Art Museum, the State Historical Museum of Iowa, the Wyoming State Capitol Extension, and the White House Visitor Center. Thornburg is the 2018 winner of the Spirit of Wyoming art competition in Jackson, a three-time recipient of Best in Show during The Nicolaysen Art Museum‘s annual art gala, and has been featured on Wyoming Public Television. Thornburg’s work is also part of The Nicolaysen Art Museum’s permanent collection.
View select artwork here.
Past Exhibitions
2023 New Frontiers Juried Art Show and Sale, CFD Old West Museum, November – December 2023
Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition, Wyoming State Capitol, February 2022 – August 2022
AD EQUUS solo exhibition, Ptsaynski Gallery, The Nicolaysen Art Museum, October 2021 – January 2022
20th Annual ART Matters Auction, AVA Community Art Center, Jan 2022
Studies + Sketches exhibition and sale, Western Gallery, November 2021
2021 Gala & Art Auction, The Nicolaysen Art Museum, September 2021 *selected Best of Show
Skins & Fins exhibition, Lander Art Center, July – Sept 2021
Yellowstone Art Auction 53 juried exhibition, Yellowstone Art Museum, Jan – March 2021
2020 Glow Gala & Art Auction, The Nicolaysen Art Museum, August 2020 *selected 2nd place in Best of Show
Yellowstone Art Auction 52 juried exhibition, Yellowstone Art Museum, Jan – March 2020
Art Matters Annual Gala juried exhibition, AVA Community Art Center, Jan 2020
The Sparkle Bash, juried art exhibition & auction, The Nicolaysen Art Museum, Sept 2019
The NIC’s Diamond Ball, juried art exhibition & auction, The Nicolaysen Art Museum, Sept 2019 *selected Best in Show
Duality, Laramie Art Walk featured artist showcase, Coal Creek Coffee Company, Sept 2019
Red Desert Audubon Show, Lander Art Center, July – Sept 2019 *second place recipient
“Wyoming” Exhibition, Cheyenne Artwalk, July 2019
Members Show, Lander Art Center, April – June 2019
Virgin Land: Myths & Narratives, solo exhibition, Lander Art Center, Jan – Feb 2019
Group Exhibition, Rapport Gallery, May-July 2018
Spirit of Wyoming show, Art Association of Jackson Hole & Jackson Hole Still Works, June 2018 *contest winner
Members Show, Lander Art Center, April – May 2018
What’s Your Message? show, 4th Street Studios, April – May 2018
Red Desert Audubon Show, Lander Art Center, Jan-Feb 2018
group exhibition, Brix Tasting Room Gallery, Jan-Feb 2018
group exhibition, Brix Tasting Room Gallery, Nov-Dec 2017
The Great American Eclipse 2017 Exhibition, Lander Art Center, July-Aug 2017 *second place recipient
Presentations, Events & Workshops
Resident, Jentel Artist Residency Program, November 2022 – December 2022
Workshop Leader: Designing a Creative Career that Works for You, Lander Art Center, February 2022
Quickdraw Judge: Fremont County Art Exhibit, Robert A. Peck Arts Center Gallery, January 22, 2022
Speaker: Invitation-only Exhibition Preview & Art Talk, Lander Art Center, December 6, 2018
Special Guest: Spirit of Wyoming Art Celebration, Art Association of Jackson Hole & Jackson Hole Still Works, September 2018
Press
New Grant Supports Artists Addressing Censorship and Autonomy, Hyperallergic
Thornburg edits images of the West, Jackson Hole News & Guide
Lander artist launches online learning platform for creative professionals, County 10
Award winning artist Nick Thornburg fills us in on upcoming LAC workshop, 1330 KOVE AM/107.7 FM Coffee Time
Award-winning artist hosts workshop on building creative careers, Wyoming News Now
New NIC galleries explore quirks of parenthood, equine mythos, (Announcement/Photos) Oil City News
Nick Thornburg – Wyoming Artist and Writer, Wyoming PBS
Lander artist partners with award-winning filmmaking team, Buckrail
Artist explores narratives of the West in Lander Art Center show, Casper Star-Tribune
Lander Art Center’s Artist in Residence shows his stuff in Western-themed show, Lander Journal, Jan. 13, 2019
Virgin Land: Nick Thornburg’s myths and narratives, Wyofile
Get to Know Artist in Residence, Nick Thornburg, Lander Art Center
Spirit of Wyoming Art Celebration, KHOL 89.1 FM
Awards & Grants
2023—Winner, XENO Prize for Artists’ Books, Franklin Furnace Archive
2022—Recipient, Wyoming Community Artist ARPA Project Grant, Wyoming Arts Council / Wyoming Legislature / National Endowment for the Arts
2022—Recipient, professional development grant, Wyoming Arts Council / National Endowment for the Arts
2021—Best in Show selection, Gala & Art Auction, The Nicolaysen Art Museum
2020—Best in Show selection/2nd place, Glow Gala & Art Auction, The Nicolaysen Art Museum
2020—Recipient, professional development grant, Wyoming Arts Council / National Endowment for the Arts
2019—Best in Show selection, The NIC’s Diamond Ball, The Nicolaysen Art Museum
2019—2nd place, Red Desert Audubon Show, Lander Art Center
2018—Winner, Spirit of Wyoming contest, Jackson Hole Still Works / Art Association of Jackson Hole
2017—2nd place, The Great American Eclipse 2017 Exhibition, Lander Art Center
Collections
Permanent collection, The Nicolaysen Art Museum