Larry Thompson

Larry Thompson serves as Professor of Art and Associate Dean of the School of the Arts at Samford University, where he has chaired the Department of Art and Design since 2007. Previously, he held academic positions at Ouachita Baptist University (Arkansas) and Louisiana College, establishing a career spanning Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama.

Education:

• BFA, University of Texas at San Antonio
• MFA, University of North Texas

Thompson’s research explores contemporary painting and installation art addressing societal trauma, particularly war’s impact on civilians and veterans. His practice integrates oil-on-wood techniques with cross-cultural collaborations, as seen in projects like the R5 South Africa initiative. He actively engages with social justice themes through community partnerships including UAB and the Birmingham Museum of Art.

His exhibition history reveals consistent focus on conflict resolution and human narratives, with recent works like The Infanttree Project (2016) and Between the Shadow and the Light (2017) demonstrating evolved approaches to mixed-media storytelling. Geographically, his shows span 15+ U.S. states and international venues in China and South Africa.

Awards:

• Juror’s Award, National Small Oil Painting Juried Exhibition, Wichita Center for the Fine Arts (2010)

Thompson mentors junior faculty through the College Art Association’s annual career counseling program and co-founded Salvador’s Deli, an art fundraiser providing school supplies for Birmingham children. His community engagement extends to advisory roles with Space One Eleven Art Space and the Birmingham Museum of Art.

He maintains active studio partnerships with Contemporain Bankston/Adams Gallery (Baton Rouge) and Space One Eleven (Birmingham), while leading Samford’s School of the Arts in developing international artistic exchanges like the R5 Visual Arts Project.