Milton Public Library to host painter Garcia Thompson online exhibit

Starting on August 1st, there will be an exhibit of paintings by Garcia Thompson shown online at the Milton Public Library, which will be as a LibGuide at our website. Garcia Thompson is a Jamaican-born artist who immigrated to the U.S. as a child at the age of 13. Garcia’s paintings celebrate Black History and Africa, but also include many wonderful themes using colorful and vibrant hues to represent them. He has always had a love for the arts since he was a young boy, primarily drawing and painting. As a young child in church, his mother would give him a pen and paper to keep him entertained during workshop services. Garcia kept his interest in the arts all the way up to high school where he attended Madison Park Technical Vocational High. There he studied commercial design which helped him to obtain a scholarship to Massachusetts College of Art. While studying at MassArt, he worked at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts to help pay for art supplies. At the Museum he was inspired by the work of others as he was exposed to some of the great master painters such as Van Gogh, Monet, and Manet. Two artists whose paintings fuel his work today are Justin Bua and Frank Morison. You will find similarities to them in Garcia’s paintings in their expressive use of bold colors and urban subject matter.

Over the years Garcia has entered and won several art competitions and shows, and has had his work displayed in some prestigious places. Some of the most notable are the school of the Museum of Fine Arts, for the “MFA staff show,” and “The Artist’s Studio at Patriot Place in Foxborough, MA. He has also received honorable mention in the New Yorker magazine cover competition. Most recently in February 2020, life came full circle for him when he was one of the first artists to be invited to display his work at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts’ Black History Month celebration called “Black Expressions.” His work has also been purchased by a few medical offices in the Boston area, and you can find some of his paintings in the waiting area of the Opthamalogy Dept. at Dedham Medical/Atrius Health in Norwood, and at Afinity Dental also in Norwood. Garcia is also a published illustrator who has drawn pictures for two childrens books by author Carey Azzara in a series called “Heidi’s Hounds.” These books are available on Amazon.com.

The artist says about his work: “I know that I am blessed with a special gift from God and I want to use my talent as a tool of inspiration for all.”

Please come and view Garcia’s display during the month of August and use this link.

If you would like to apply for an online exhibit at the Library, Email Librarian Jean Hlady at [email protected].