LoPresti Art Gallery and Studio

06/19/2026

What?!?!?
These are the sweetest earrings!
The perfect present for yourself or a friend.
By Mary Partow

06/19/2026

Wood working of Dave Partow

06/19/2026

The latest addition to the LoPresti Art Gallery.

Art Walk Tonight

06/19/2026

Beacon, NY

This piece of art is a wonderful way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of of the United States

06/19/2026

For the 250th anniversary of the United States, here is the Independence Trail replica of a utility cover from Providence, R.I.

06/19/2026

Look closely. It is a carving for a potential Vero Beach utility cover.

06/19/2026

Seattle Utility Cover

06/18/2026

Joe Thomas, also known as J. Thomas, is a native Floridian who was born in the 1950s and grew up in Miami, just 10 miles from South Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. He is a husband and father of two grown sons, and he has now settled down for good in Vero Beach, Florida. A lifelong enthusiast of saltwater activities, Joe is a steward of the sea, a fisherman, a diver, a golfer, and a pilot. Although he has no formal art training, he strives to portray his memories, thoughts, and imagination on canvas. He joined the Vero Beach Art Club in 2018 and enjoys painting with acrylics in bright, happy colors. His passion lies in painting Florida and Caribbean seascapes.

After high school, Joe joined the United States Marine Corps. During the 1970s, after serving his country, he attended college, where he majored in aerospace and business. Following college and various apprenticeships, he took on different management roles in several start-up companies. In the 1980s, his group launched three large box retail store concepts; two were eventually acquired, and the third, Office Depot, went public. In the 1990s, Joe ventured out on his own and formed Thomas Management Group, which owned multiple UPS Store franchises. He also co-owned and managed a mountaintop resort in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

In May 2018, Joe retired and became a consultant to the Board of Directors of Gatlinburg Golf and Racquet Club, his former company. His current focus is on enjoying retirement while learning to paint—and perhaps even selling a few of his paintings.

06/04/2026