BIO
My name is Ashlee René Thompson and I am an American visual artist who was born in Montgomery, Alabama in 1989. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from Auburn University at Montgomery in Montgomery, AL in 2011. I also obtained my Master of Liberal Arts from Auburn University at Montgomery in 2013. Since 2015, I have served as an adjunct instructor for the Fine Arts department at Auburn University at Montgomery. In this position, I teach one of the entry level art courses called "Introduction to Visual Arts." Alongside teaching, I have continued making works of art and have proudly exhibited both two-dimensional and three-dimensional artworks in juried shows around the Southeast. I also have experience working with gallery spaces and art exhibitions both professionally and as a volunteer. In particular, I served as the volunteer chairperson of the exhibition committee for the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery in Wetumpka, AL during 2018. I am currently attending The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL, where I am a candidate for the Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art degree. In conjunction with the MFA, I am completing the Museum Studies Certificate. I currently live and work in Tuscaloosa, AL.
CV
Ashlee René Thompson
Education
2022 Currently Enrolled: Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Currently Enrolled: Museum Studies Certificate
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
2013 Master of Liberal Arts (General)
Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama
2011 Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts, Minor in Art History
Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama
Academic Honors and Awards
2021-2022 Graduate Council Fellowship from The University of Alabama
2021-2022: The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
2021: 0.25 FTE Graduate Teaching Assistantship from The University of Alabama
2020-Present: Honors Society: Strength and Honor
2020-Present: Golden Key International Honour Society
2019-2020: Emily Irene Thames Fellowship from The University of Alabama
Solo Exhibitions
2021 “Synaptic Transmission,” Sella-Granata Art Gallery at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
2013 “Hoof Prints throughout History,” Goodwyn Hall Art Gallery at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL
Group Exhibitions and Awards
2021
“55th Annual Montgomery Art Guild Regions Bank Exhibition,” Regions Bank-RSA Tower, Montgomery, AL
“Me, Myself, and I” Online Exhibition, The In Art Gallery (online)
https://theinartgallery.com/open-theme
“Artist of the Month for July 2021,” ART JOBS.
https://www.artjobs.com/op/artist-of-the-month/2021
“11th Annual Open Online Art Exhibition,” Light Space & Time Online Art Galley. https://www.lightspacetime.art/open-art-exhibition-august-2021/
“2nd Annual Open Theme” Online Exhibition, The In Art Gallery (online)
https://theinartgallery.com/open-theme
“Emergence” Exhibition, Tennessee Valley Museum of Art in Tuscumbia, AL
“Graduate Pop-Up Art Exhibition,” Sella-Granata Art Gallery at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
2020
“54th Annual Montgomery Art Guild Regions Bank Exhibition,” Regions Bank (RSA Tower), Montgomery, AL
“Montgomery Art Guild Regions Too Online Exhibition,” online gallery based out of Montgomery, AL (https://www.montgomeryartguild.org/mag-regions-part2)
2019
“Fall Showcase of New and Returning Graduate Students,” Sella-Granata Art Gallery at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL
“Central Alabama Showcase,” Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery in Wetumpka, AL
Awards: Honorable Mention for 2-D Art (not under glass) category for Geometrie Bleu
“Tulatoma Art Trail,” Artist Showcase/Art Walk in Wetumpka, AL
2017
“Elmore County Art Guild 33rd Annual Show,” Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery in Wetumpka, AL
2016
“Blue Iguana Local Artist Showcase,” Blue Iguana Bar and Grill, Prattville, AL
Live Artist Demonstration and Art Sale
“Elmore County Art Guild 32nd Annual Show,” Wetumpka Depot Players Theatre in Wetumpka, AL, Award: 1st place award in 3-D, Sculpture, & Pottery Category for Horse Chinese Symbol
2015
“Alabama National Fair Art Guild Show,” Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery, AL
“Prattauga Art Guild Fall Art Show,” Prattville Creative Arts Center in Prattville, AL
“Elmore County Art Guild 31st Annual Show,” Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery in Wetumpka, AL
2014
“Second Annual TAG: Artists for Animals" Art Show, Cool Beans Café de Art in Montgomery, AL
“Elmore County Art Guild 29th Annual Winter Show,” Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery in Wetumpka, AL, Award: Honorable Mention for Cubist Diego in 2-D art (not under glass)
Press
2021
“Artists Speak about Mental Health.” ARTSY SHARK, 11 August 2021, https://www.artsyshark.com/2021/08/11/artists-speak-about-mental-health/.
“Graduate Students’ Artwork Accepted into National Venues,” Department of Art and Art History, 6 August 2021, https://art.ua.edu/news/graduate-students-artwork-accepted-to-national-venues/.
“Artist of the Month for July 2021,” ART JOBS, 4 August 2021, https://www.artjobs.com/op/artist-of-the-month/2021.
“UA Art Student, Alumni Selected for New Tennessee Valley Juried Exhibition.” Department of Art and Art History, 4 May 2021, http://art.ua.edu/news/ua-art-student-alumni-selected-for-new-tennessee-valley-juried-exhibition/.
Nakashima, Monica. “How Two Art Graduate Students Are Making Their Exhibitions Personal.” The Crimson White, March 29, 2021. https://cw.ua.edu/81259/culture/how-two-art-graduate-students-are-making-their-exhibitions-personal/.
2019
“René Thompson: Graduate Art Student Exhibit 2019.” UA College of Arts & Sciences. UA
Department of Art and Art History.” Vimeo, Tuesday, October 8, 2019. https://vimeo.com/365052268.
Research and Curatorial Experience
2021
Student Work in Museums (SWIM) proposal accepted for presentation at the Southeastern Museums Conference 2021 Annual Meeting (October 27, 2021)
Project Manager for “Weaving Muscogee Creek Culture: The Artistry of Mary Smith” in the Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL (dates set for October 2021-March 2022)
Co-curated “14 Select(ions)” in the Sarah Moody Gallery of Art at The University of Alabama which was on display from March 22- May 7, 2021
Presented Solo Gallery Exhibition titled “Synaptic Transmission” for thesis towards MFA degree in Sella-Granata Art Gallery at The University of Alabama in March 2021
2018
Chairperson of Exhibition Committee with the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery (KFMG) from January 2018 to December 2018 (volunteer)
“Originally From Alabama;” September 2017-January 2018, Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery, Wetumpka, AL
“Collectors and Collections Part 1: Connecting Genres and Generations;” March 2018-May 2018, Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery, Wetumpka, AL
“Collectors and Collections Part 2: From the River Region;” June 2018-August 2018, Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery, Wetumpka, AL
“Central Alabama Showcase;” September 2018-January 2019, Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery, Wetumpka, AL
“Broader Horizons: Collectors and Creators (Exploring Our World);” January 14-April 25, 2019, Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery, Wetumpka, AL
Board Member with the Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery from January 2017 to December 2018 (volunteer)
Served as liaison between the KFMG and Montgomery Art Guild from January 2017 to October 2018 (volunteer)
2013
Presented Solo Gallery Exhibition titled Hoof Prints throughout History for thesis towards MLA degree completion in Goodwyn Hall Art Gallery at Auburn University at Montgomery
Research assistant for Professor Kate Lemay at Auburn University at Montgomery
Research assistant for Dr. Keri Watson at Auburn University at Montgomery from August 2012 to March 2013
Work History
2015-Present
Adjunct Instructor for Fine Arts Department at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL (VISU 1000)
2019-2021
Lead Graduate Assistant in Student Employment Services at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
2021
Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Art and Art History at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
2016-2019
Academic Advisor in the Office of Central Advising at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL
2012-2013
Graduate Assistant/ Research Assistant at Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL
