Thomas Berding

Thomas Berding is a Professor in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design at Michigan State University (MSU), part of the College of Arts and Letters. He holds a BA from Xavier University and an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. Prior to MSU, he taught at Dartmouth College, Indiana University, and Southwest Missouri State University, and has served as a Visiting Artist/Critic at over 25 institutions.

• Education:
• BA, Xavier University
• MFA, Rhode Island School of Design

His practice focuses on painting, with works exhibited nationally and internationally. Notable solo exhibitions include shows at the University of Maine Museum of Art, University of Notre Dame, and The Painting Center in New York. A major survey exhibition of his work was held at Oakland University Art Gallery in 2016, accompanied by a catalog. His work has also been featured in venues such as the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum and the Nelson-Atkins Museum.

Berding’s essays on painting have been published, and he actively participates in academic discourse, presenting at the College Art Association (CAA) and serving on its Professional Practices and Services to Artists Committees. He was recognized as an MSU CIC Academic Leadership Fellow in 2010.

His awards reflect significant contributions to the arts, including grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Pollock-Krasner Foundation. Berding’s career emphasizes both studio practice and academic engagement, blending artistic innovation with educational leadership.