05/18/2026
Join us for an evening of conversation, creativity, and connection with SOPHY’s current featured artist, Raymond A. Thomas. The desire to create has fueled Raymond for as long as he can remember. Today, the St. Louis native has cultivated that passion into a bold and ever-evolving multidisciplinary artistic practice rooted in purpose, storytelling, and creative exploration.
In 1984, Thomas received a merit scholarship to attend the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he studied painting, filmmaking, and graphic design. Shortly after graduating in 1988, he joined Johnson Publishing Company, serving as an Art Director and Creative Manager for more than 23 years.
Alongside his professional career, Thomas remained deeply committed to mentoring youth and advancing his own artistic practice, with his work exhibited throughout Chicago and in galleries nationwide. His longstanding dedication to the arts community is reflected through his service on boards and committees for several respected Chicago institutions, including Little Black Pearl, Black Harvest Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival Black Perspectives Sidebar, Chicago Public Art Group, and the South Side Community Art Center.
We look forward to welcoming you for a thoughtful evening celebrating art, storytelling, and creative expression in Hyde Park 🖤
