Thomas Agran was born in rural Kentucky, grew up in Ohio, and moved to Iowa to attend Grinnell College. Three years spent in the fields of a large organic vegetable farm in Grinnell helped forge a deep interest in the Midwestern landscape, its total transformation through agriculture, and the political, social, and environmental consequences of that change. Some of his paintings also explore the complicated nexus of food, agriculture, nostalgia, and marketing. Thomas studied at Indiana University for an MFA in painting, and has taught painting and drawing since 2011, currently at the University of Iowa. In addition to his studio work, Thomas has executed, managed, and mentored dozens of public mural projects – from private commissions to large municipal scale work in historically sensitive areas to community engaged and participatory mural and public art projects. Thomas currently resides in Iowa City, Iowa, with his daughter Nina.
