WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Oct. 29, 2018 – West Liberty University’s Nutting Gallery will showcase paintings by award winning artist Thomas Wharton in its latest art exhibition, “Courting Wonder,”  which will remain on display through Nov. 15.

A former resident of Wheeling, Wharton recently returned after building a successful career in New York City. He will attend a meet the artist reception from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 30.

Self-portrait is one of 25 oils on display in the exhibition.

Wharton’s portraits are stunning and the 25 works in this show represent the human form, objects of contemplation, portraits, and landscapes.

Wharton has won many awards including The Georgie Read Barton Award, the Windsor Newton Award, The Katlin Seascape Award (twice), and the Richard C. Pionk Memorial Prize for Painting. He also received the Certificate of Excellence by the Portrait Society of America. He now holds Signature Status in the organization. His paintings are part of the Cultural Archives of the state of West Virginia.

Before moving to New York, Wharton studied at West Virginia University where he earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in piano. He briefly taught piano at West Liberty, after earning his music degrees. He also studied at The Art Student’s League of New York, The New York Academy of Art, The Grand Central Academy, and The National Academy of Design.

Meet artist Thomas Wharton at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 30 in Nutting Gallery.

Wharton does more than just painting and has written and illustrated a children’s book, “Hildegard Sings.” The book tells the story of an aspiring opera singing hippo who loses her voice. The book is a part of the Mazza Museum of International Children’s Book Art.

Wharton also co-founded Adventure House Communications Group with business partner Robert Lowe in 1990.

Located in the Hall of Fine Arts, the Nutting Gallery is dedicated to educating, enriching and engaging students and the public through art exhibitions of the highest quality and to promoting the visual arts within the WLU community. Hours are from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., weekdays or by appointment and all Nutting Gallery exhibitions are free and open to the public.

Editor’s Note: For more information on Thomas Wharton, please read this article by Steve Novotney, published in Weelunk on May 26, 2018

NOTE: Media Relations Intern Anthony Veltri contributed to this release.