The one teacher who encourages Thomas the most is his resource teacher Debbie Roberts.
Thomas is a sixth-grade student and this is his second year to be in school at Springville. He attended Wright Elementary School in the Birmingham City School District before moving to Springville. He has been drawing since the second grade.
“I love art and I’m always drawing during my spare time,” Thomas said. “Cars are my favorite things to draw.”
Thomas has drawn antique Cadillacs, Lincoln Continentals, and sports cars like Mustangs. He admits he likes the older cars and has drawn a 1968 Mustang many times. Thomas enjoys drawing people too and has drawn people lifting weights.
Although intrigued by his artistic abilities, Thomas has not had any special or formal training with art classes. Currently, art is not offered at Springville Middle School but it is an elective at the high school, something Thomas plans on taking once he gets there.
Many could say being an artist is something the young boy inherited from his father, Derrick Thomas.
“My dad is an artist and he is very proud of me,” Thomas said. “Many of the things he has drawn are framed and displayed at our house.”
Debbie Roberts is Joshua’s resource teacher. She plans on submitting his artwork to the Superintendent’s Art Exhibit that will be held in January in Montgomery.
“This is a statewide art exhibit,” Roberts said. “Students from each county submit artwork that will be displayed in Montgomery. So I am in the process of submitting his work for review.”
Roberts said Thomas is a good student and enjoys his art immensely.
“At times, he spends a little bit too much time drawing his artwork during his academic classes,” Roberts said. “So we have to reserve his art time for down time during the day. It is definitely a reward for him. He’s quite, well mannered and just a good kid.”
Through his artistic abilities, Thomas has made a couple of friends who also enjoy drawing and artwork.
“Karly is a good friend of mine who is in the sixth-grade and we draw together sometimes,” Thomas said.
Thomas said it would mean so much to him if he ever had the chance to win an art award. Not only is Thomas good at art, he is also in the Springville Jr. High band, playing the trombone. His ultimate dream is to one day go to college on an art scholarship.
Roberts said in light of SMS not having an art program, she would love to be able to get Thomas some art supplies like a tablet and some charcoals.
“This would give him the opportunity occasionally during his P.E. time to allow him to draw,” Roberts said. “
