08/31/2026
Please welcome Desiree Thomas and Bryan M. Wilson as the new co-directors for Goodyear Arts. As co-directors, Thomas and Wilson will lead and manage all aspects of Goodyear Arts, providing direction for the continued development and growth of the nonprofit at its Camp North End space. These efforts include the organization’s ongoing artist residency program and accompanying exhibitions; 100+ free events throughout the year; and free studio and rehearsal space for its Collective members.
Thomas, a Charlotte-born multidisciplinary artist and instructor, was part of the Goodyear Arts residency program in 2022 and joined the Goodyear Arts Collective soon after. She earned a degree in studio art in University of North Carolina at Pembroke before returning to Charlotte and exhibiting her work across the country. "Stepping into the Co-Director role at Goodyear Arts feels both exciting and a little surreal. Goodyear has always been a place for experimentation, collaboration and growth and we hope to continue building on that. As a former artist in residence, I've experienced firsthand the impact that this organization can have on an artist's practice, and it's an honor to help steward that experience for others. I'm grateful for the trust placed in Bryan and me, and we look forward to helping guide Goodyear into its next chapter while continuing to create opportunities for artists to grow, connect and thrive.”
Wilson is a painter, illustrator, and teacher at Northwest School of the Arts, where he’s also served as a department chair. He has a master’s in arts administration from Winthrop University and a master’s in fine arts, drawing and painting from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. His Goodyear Arts residency arrived in 2024, after which he joined the Goodyear Arts Collective. “I believe GYA’s mission largely aligns with my ideal view of what an arts organization should be.”
