KENT THOMAS WILLIAMS is a Kansas-based studio and public space fine artist, inspired by the genius of native places and the metaphysics of freshwater ecosystems. Born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, Williams grew up playing saxophone, piano and oboe, and dirtbiking alongside waterways with his 35mm Konica. From his exploration of architecture and studio arts at Kansas State University he developed tools that would eventually synthesize art, architecture and engineering to create public and private works that engage both technical and aesthetic processes. Williams helped co-found the artist cooperative Fisch Haus in 1990, with four of his long-time friends. Three years later the collaboration expanded into an abandoned 21,000 square foot warehouse, transformed into studios, laboratory, living, gallery and indoor parabolic amphitheater. Now the cornerstone of Wichita’s Commerce Street Art District, Fisch Haus Studios continue to be a center for collaboration and community engagement, hosting local, regional, national and international artists, exhibitions and performances.

An advocate for indigenous cultures and their relationships to particular places, Williams’ interest in place is a guiding force in his studio and public art practices. Unlimited in the mediums used in his work, Williams’ approach to making is a marriage of proficient techniques and improvisations, where relevant and novel expressions flow into and through the present time-space.  Williams’ current work is a study in the re-invigoration of American Iconography.  William’s creative mark is found throughout Kansas on numerous projects that conscientiously bring together sculpture, architecture, and engineering, adding meaning and delight to places. Through consultations, collaborations and engagement with artists, architects, engineers, bureaucrats, and community stakeholders, Williams’ sensitivities champion both individual and collective human experiences.

Williams currently lives and works adjacent to the Little Arkansas River’s Meade Island (Wichita, Kansas), at the Fisch Haus (Wichita, Kansas) and within the glaciated Buck Creek Valley (Lawrence, Kansas).

SELECTED PUBLIC ART PROJECTS
Advanced Learning Library + Wichita KS + 2015 + with Snider, Rundstrom, Minjarez, McGwire and Harrison
Iron Avenue Iron Sky Gate + The City of Salina KS + 2015
Douglas Avenue Streetscape + Wichita KS + 2014 + with Baughman Co and Design Workshop
54/400 Kellogg Highway/Interchange + Wichita KS + 2013 + with PB World and Vicki Scuri
Commerce Street Arts District + Wichita KS + 2011 to present + with Baughman Co
Seattle Monorail Project + Seattle WA + 2006 + with Hollis and Murch
Lincoln Street Bridge, Dam and Slues + Wichita KS + 2010 -2011 + with MKEC
Salina Water Treatment Facility + Salina KS + 2006 + with Steve Atwood and Trevor Dunville
Garvey Park (Restroom Building and Canoe Launch) + The City of Wichita KS + 2004 + with MVP
Greenway Park (Canoe Launch) + The City of Wichita KS + 2005 + with KE Miller PA
Rutan and Victor Street Lanterns + Wichita KS + 2009-2010 + with Steve Atwood
The Parkstone Musical Fountain + Wichita KS + 2009-2010 + with Kit Craig
Finn Lofts (Commerce Street Arts District) + Wichita KS + 2008 + with FarOaks Development
Minissa Bridge (Historic Renovation) + The City of Wichita KS + 2008 + with PB World
The Water Center (at Herman Hill Park) + Wichita KS + 2003 + with GLA and Albert Goldbarth
The Vanishing Library + Los Angeles CA + 2002 + with Marc Von Schlegell
Seneca Street / Museum Drive Streetscape + Wichita KS + 2002 + with MKEC
Salina Animal Shelter (Entry Sculpture) + Salina KS + March 2000 + with Connie Ernatt
Arkansas River Pedestrian Bridge + Wichita KS + 1999 + with MVP, PEC and Eric Schmidt

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
Vortex + Ffarquhar + Wichita KS + August 2015
Small Works of Consequence + Fisch Haus Studios + Wichita KS + January 2015
CUSP + Wichita Center for the Arts + Wichita KS + July 2014
Azul Unannounced + Fisch Haus Studios + Wichita KS + November 2013
Introducing Azul Bison + Riverside Perk Café + Wichita KS + January 2012
Life is But A Dream + La Prima Tazza + Lawrence KS + October 2012
Sound the Tone + Fisch Haus Studios + Wichita KS + October 2007
Seven Days of Water, Two Without Moons + Jaxon House Gallery + Venice CA + June 2006
12 years: A Morning Pageant + Fisch Haus Studios + Wichita KS + July 2004
to Delve + Fisch Haus Studios + Wichita KS + February 2004
An Echo Park Still Life + Sony Studios + Los Angeles CA + August 2001
Grubby Sensual Machines + Trish Higgins Fine Art + Wichita KS + June 2000
Eleven Miles of Graphite Line + Trish Higgins Fine Art + Wichita KS + January 2000
Visual Record of a Noisy Planet + Ottomans Gallery + Wichita KS + July 1999
Seven and a Half New Works + Riverside Perk Café + Wichita KS + March 1998
Four Corners + Wichita Center for the Arts + Wichita KS + July 1998
Born of a Square Room + Wiedman Gallery + Friends University + Wichita KS + June 1998
Monotypes and Othertypes + Wyatt Studio Gallery + SF CA + July 1997

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Drift and Drag: Reflections on Water + Mulvane Art Museum, Washburn University + December 2014
Drift and Drag / Oerol Arts Festival + with Stevenson and Perret + Netherlands + June 2014
Desserts First + Randy Regier Studio Gallery + Wichita KS + October 2013
Fisch Haus: 21 + Ulrich Museum of Art + Wichita State University + Wichita KS + April 2011
Four for Four + Geo. Kayes + Oakland CA + August 2001
Warp and Weft + Los Angeles CA + August 1999
Trish Higgins Fine Art + Wichita KS + July 1999
Hays Valley Summer Fair + Lawrence Hulteburg Gallery + SF CA + June 1997
Kansas Currents + Wichita Art Museum + September 1996
New Work + with Bob Bruman + Bison Brewery + Berkeley CA + July 1996
When Ponds Freeze Too Quickly + Fisch Haus Studios + Wichita KS + November 1993
A Celebration of the Americas? + Squiggle Gallery + SF CA + September 1990
East Bay Open Studios + with Bruman and Schmidt + Berkeley CA + July 1990

Kent Thomas Williams
tel 323-251-5784
www.kent-thomas-williams.com