bio

Thomas Bruno is a native of New Orleans and a third generation artist. He began his training in his father's workshop on Calhoun St. at ten years old. There he learned to fabricate and appreciate English and American 18th and 19th century furniture.

Thomas earned his Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in 1982. He received his Master in English Literature from the University of New Orleans in 1985. His master's thesis was a comparative study of Rococo design with William Congreve, an 18th century English playwright.

Thomas established his own workshop in 1987. He began expanding his sense of design and technical skill by making fresh interpretations of Art Nouveau, 18th century French and Art Deco furniture. To fuel his growing fascination with sculpture, he began to take drawing classes at night. In 1989, he found a home at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts. He studied under the guidance of Kinsey Branham in sculpture and Auseklis Ozols in drawing and color theory, winning a full scholarship in his second year. Since 2000, he has been involved almost exclusively in sculpture.

In 1996, he established the fine arts foundry where he continues to cast sculptures in bronze. In 1997 he was selected by the National Sculpture Society for the national exhibit Sculptures and Architects on Furniture in NYC. He has since been engaged for numerous commissions, including many prominent public works.