FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2010
Contact: Cydney Archie
(662) 329-7119
cja2@muw.edu

Art a way of life for Thomas Nawrocki

COLUMBUS, Miss. --- Building furniture and lamps from antique glass and automobile parts is a skill that many people don’t possess. However, it’s a way of life for Thomas D. Nawrocki.

The 67-year-old printmaking and fiber arts-weaving teacher at Mississippi University for Women has done wood work his entire life. Nawrocki, a native of Milwaukee, Wis., learned wood work, metal work, drafting and much more during his childhood years. He made lamps in grade school and little did he know that he would still be making lamps 60 years later.

He has built more than 90 lamps which most are in his home. He buys glass from hotels and various places throughout the country that have smoking stands from the 1930s. It can take years to gather parts, but depending on what he creates determines how long it takes him to complete a project.

Nawrocki uses creativity and complexity to transform figures and forms into a masterpiece. His unique work is what distinguishes him from many other artists.

His passion for art brings him energy daily. “Work is fun,” he simply stated.

Wood working was not the only pastime Nawrocki excelled in as a child. When he wasn’t making lamps, he could be found spending time on the beach or playing tennis. He enjoyed tennis so much that he went on to become the team captain in college. The sport was fun to him even if he and other team members had to shovel snow off the court, which was not unusual to the residents of Milwaukee.  

Nawrocki recently won an award for his artwork in Los Angeles and has competed in more than 400 shows nationally and internationally. Currently he has pieces showing in China and Finland.

He has taught at MUW since 1970. Nawrocki studied at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts.