Sean Thomas
St. Louis, Missouri
Sean Thomasis the Executive Director of Old North St. Louis Restoration Group, a neighborhood-based, not-for-profit community development corporation with a mission to revitalize the physical & social dimensions of the Old North St. Louis neighborhood in a manner that respects the community’s historic, cultural, and urban character. Prior to accepting his current position at ONSLRG in 2003, Sean had worked for the St. Louis Association of Community Organizations (SLACO) for 11 years – five as a community organizer and six as Deputy Director. Sean also has worked as a community organizer in Detroit, Michigan, and Community Initiatives Coordinator for East-West Gateway Coordinating Council (now called East-West Gateway Council of Governments).
Sean earned a Master of Arts in Public Administration from St. Louis University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Sean is the founding board president of Old North Grocery Co-op and also serves on the MPA (Masters of Public Administration) Advisory Board at St. Louis University and the Advisory Board for the Nonprofit Management & Leadership Program at University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Presentation(s):
Art & Architecture as Catalyst – Livability and Sustainability
Day 2 / Apr, 13 @ 4:15 pm
Lower Level : Room D
This panel discusses art and architecture as catalysts not only to economic development, but to quality of life, sustainability, and livability.
Socially Engaged Art and Revitalization
Day 2 / Apr, 13 @ 1:30 pm
Lower Level : Room A
Sean Thomas and Juan William Chávez will discuss their collaboration transforming a historic brick building into an art space that is dedicated to cultural and community issues in North Saint Louis. This conversation will focus on the benefits and challenges of incorporating socially engaged art and revitalization with a shared goal to aid in the redevelopment of a community.
Sean Thomas, Executive Director of the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group
Juan William Chávez, artist, cultural activist and founder of the Northside Workshop