Biography
Since 2013 Avril has nurtured artistic endeavor at her studio and Art Gallery at Magpie Springs, Willunga Hill, where artist workshops, art exhibitions showcasing local, national, and international talent. She organized a four-year Photographic Competition onsite. Magpie Springs also partnered with Seymour College for two years, engaging students in sculpture, filming, and photography. Over 600 prints of her works, available on more than 100 products, can be purchased globally via MagpieSprings/Redbubble and AvrilThomasart/Redbubble.
Visitors can explore her original hand-painted works and a selection of online prints at the Magpie Springs Cellar Door/Art Gallery, a vibrant hub of creativity on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
See now: – An interview by Art In Adelaide at Magpie Springs with Avril Thomas
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Career Highlights
- Entering the 2004 Archibald Prize with a portrait of Prof. Michael Tyler. “The Frog Man”
- The portrait of Alexander Downer, “The Minister from Downunder” for the 2005 Archibald Prize, made Avril a finalist.
- Commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to paint Her Excellency Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, Governor of South Australia
- Commissioned by Flinders University to paint Vice Chancellor Anne Edwards
- A retrospective exhibition and unveiling of Premier of South Australia Mike Rann’s portrait “The Big Boys Toys”
- Artist in residence at Flinders Medical Centre – a marathon of paintings and drawings of the staff in the Operating Theatres for a solo exhibition (42 pieces) “Theatre Works“
- Commissioned by Adelaide University School of Medicine to paint and draw key people in the Medical profession for the 125th Anniversary of the school exhibition another marathon effort – “A day in the life exhibition” 59 images were created for this exhibition.
- Commissioned by Monash University to paint a suite of portraits for the faculty of Science and J. L. (Les) Williams portrait for the School of Physics
- Portrait of Bazil Hetzel portrait “The Remedy” now on display at the Bazil Hetzel institute. Was used by the great man himself at Uni SA’s exhibition to celebrate his achievements May 2012
- Exhibitint in Women Painting Women a major exhibition of portraiture in traditional oil painting and bronze sculpture. Award winning realist painters Nationally in Australia participated.
- Commissioned by Jayco Australia and NZ to paint Gerry Ryan OAM
- Included in Arts Curriculum for Seymour College students at Magpie Springs 2yrs – Sculpture, photography
- Hosting Magpie Springs Photographic Competition for 4 yrs
- Commissioned by Scotch College to paint Principal John Newton
- Winner of Fine Art America global billboard prize.
- Commissioned by Immanuel College to paint Principal Kevin Richardson
- Commissioned by Deakin University to paint Chancellor John Stanhope
Avril Thomas a Member of..
Royal South Australian Soc of Arts
Portrait Artists Australia
Portrait Society of America
Avril Thomas as Judge..
Parkside Primary School 2008
Campbelltown Rotary 2008
Campbelltown Rotary 2009
Campbelltown Rotary 2010
Solar Art Prize 2012
Blackwood Rotary 2013
Annual Exhibition of International Society of Scratchboard Artists in Adelaide 2017
Annual Exhibition of International Society of Scratchboard Artists 2020
Blackwood Rotary 2022
Gallery One – Smallacombe Portrait Prize 2024
Gallery One – Smallacombe Portrait Prize 2025
Corporate / Business Collections
All that and More – Building Company
Flinders University
A number of Surgeons Rooms in Adelaide ++
Flinders Medical Centre
Thoma’s Trek – Wine co
Basil Hetzel Institute
National Portrait Gallery
Monash University
Adelaide University
Flinders University
Jayco head office Melb
Scotch College Adelaide
Immanuel College
Deakin University
Art Gallery - Artists Studio
Magpie Springs
1870 Brookman Rd, Hope Forest SA 5172
Phone Me
+61 8 8556 7351
Email Me
avril@avrilthomas.net
AFFORDABLE ART PRINTS AVAILABLE ONLINE VIA REDBUBBLE OR FINE ART AMERICA
