Thomas Bezanson


Thomas Bezanson was a Canadian-born artist and Benedictine monk primarily known for his porcelain pottery and mastery of complex glazes. Strongly influenced by Asian pottery, he often adapted traditional Chinese and Japanese pottery methods and materials to his work.

Early life and education

Brother Thomas was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, a descendant of Irish and Scottish families that had been in Nova Scotia for many generations. In 1950 he graduated from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. He also spent some time in New York City studying at Art Students League of New York. From 1951 to 1958 he both worked in business and was an advisor to the Nova Scotia Handcraft Century. He began working in pottery in 1953. In 1958–59 he traveled and studied in Europe.

Monastic life and career

In 1959, he entered the Benedictine Monastery, Weston Priory, in Weston, Vermont. In 1968 he graduated from the University of Ottawa with a master's degree in philosophy and a University Gold Medal. In 1976 he was a visiting lecturer at Alfred University School of Ceramics. In 1978 he traveled to Japan and Taipei. While in Japan he met five Living National Treasure potters. In 1983 he was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant. From 1985 until his death, he was the artist-in-residence at Mount Saint Benedict in Erie, Pennsylvania.
His works are held in more than 80 museum collections. One piece, initially rejected by the artist, is in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Death

Brother Thomas died at his home in Erie, Pennsylvania, on 16 August 2007.

Brother Thomas Fund

The Brother Thomas Fund was established under the auspices of the Boston Foundation upon the artist's death. Since 2007, proceeds from the sale of his work have supported the fund. In October 2009, the first eight Brother Thomas Fellowships were awarded to mid-career Boston artists, each receiving $15,000.
The fund is also supported by donations and by sales of Brother Thomas's work through the Pucker Gallery in Boston., the fund had awarded $1,080,000 in grants to 72 artists. Fellowships are awarded every two years.

Exhibitions and honors