Joe Thurston
Lead Artist and Owner of Site Specific LLC
Joe is an Oregon-based artist who has completed public projects regionally and nationally for over 15 years. He has a wealth of knowledge in public process, community engagement, fabrication, installation, and planning. Joe’s longtime studio art career turned toward public art in 2007, while traveling and experiencing the sophistication and rigor of public art in Europe. He realized that most European public art was created by practicing studio artists like himself. Upon his return to the States, Joe developed an approach that reflected his belief: It is essential for art in public places to be of exceptional quality, to serve and speak deeply to the intellect and imagination of the public.
Joe has also presented his artwork in group exhibitions and art fairs nationally and internationally. His work has been featured in solo shows at Elizabeth Leach Gallery in Portland and Toomey Tourell Gallery in San Francisco. His work has been reviewed in Artforum, ARTnews, Art Ltd, and Visual Art Source. Joe has received awards from Americans for the Arts, the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, and Regional Arts and Culture Council.