Skip to main navigation Skip to main content
Ky.gov
white background for styling
Thomas Freese

Thomas Freese

Arts Education Artist
  • Storytelling; Literary Arts; Visual Arts

    Bio

    Thomas Freese is an accomplished artist in multiple disciplines—writing, storytelling and visual art. Mr. Freese worked in the Arts in Education since 1994, doing visual arts residencies in over 100 locations across Kentucky. Since 1998, Mr. Freese has authored 200 articles and published 12 books. Mr. Freese has performed story programs for 30 years. He has over 20 story programs. When working with students, Mr. Freese often combines his expertise to help children create works of art in the venues of writing, storytelling and art. Mr. Freese relates well to children of all ages and uses guitar, harmonica, drum and Native American flute to add to his stories. Drawing on his varied life experiences, Thomas has been a Shaker singer, hiked the Grand Canyon, lived 12 years in Indian country, learned Spanish in Mexico, and was on a storytelling tour in Argentina.

    Potential Residency Project

    Native American Heritage, November
    Thomas brings many items crafted by First Nations artists and himself, to talk about how Native Peoples craft from the resources of our land. He teaches Native songs, inviting students to play drum, rattle and flute. Mr. Freese tells Indian folklore stories which all bring life lessons to young minds. He then guides students in creating and completing a variety of Native American art projects over the residency.

    Paper Engineering
    Mr. Freese teaches students to learn about the language and skills of paper folding, teaching Origami and Pop up Cards. Students learn about real world applications based on paper folding skills including in therapy, medical and space science.

    History of Guitar
    Students immerse in the amazing history of the evolution of this versatile string instrument. Mr. Freese teaches a wide range of songs which all connect to stories and history. Students learn the basic guitar parts, guitar predecessors like the Oud and the Lute. Mr. Freese adds songs like Big Rock Candy Mountain discussing Hobo life and Hobo symbols.

    Gggghosts!
    Thomas Freese has authored nine ghost story books and provides endless entertainment through tales of haints, haunts, Civil War ghosts, famous Kentucky spooky places and more! Students study the basics of storytelling, performing and crafting a good ghost story.

    Additional Residencies Themes:
    Storytelling through Art and Music, Celtic and Viking Artwork, Tessellations, Wood Crafts, Hispanic Culture in Art and Folklore, Learning about The Shakers

    ​
    Back to Directory

    Artist Information