Cedar Thomas (they/them) is an emerging queer artist from Minneapolis, MN. Their art practice focuses on action, engagement, self-growth, and discovery. Although they started in painting and drawing, Cedar enjoys sculpting, analog photography and digital art as well. They’re always willing to try out whatever medium suits the project at hand.

In November 2018, while attending the University of Minnesota, Cedar installed a sculpture on the Washington Avenue bridge in response to transphobic messages from a student group. Their sculpture was removed after 22 hours but was saved by the Tretter Archive.

Cedar organized a march in response to the University’s lack of recognition of the situation. 60 or so participants came out and marched from one side of campus to the other. 

This became an influential turning point in their practice. In 2019, Cedar was awarded both the President’s Student Leadership and Service Award from the University of Minnesota and the Breaking the Silence Award from the Gender and Sexuality Center at the University of Minnesota. 

After a last minute decision for the next semester, Cedar decided to apply to a program called “Art for Social Change” through HECUA; an off-campus, experiential learning program taught alongside an internship at a local arts organization.  They were granted the HECUA Scholarship for Community Engagement to attend.

In 2020, Cedar self-published a poetry book with Olivia Baxter, who they met through HECUA. Cedar created illustrations for Baxter’s poetry and the two released “You and Me (but mostly me)” with two concerts to celebrate.

Thomas graduated from the University of Minnesota in the strange Zoom-land of COVID online education.

After graduating with a BFA in Art in May 2020, they’ve worked with a number of organizations and other creatives to continue developing their practice.

For more information or further questions, please contact Cedar Thomas at cedarthomas98@gmail.com