Born: Detroit, MI 1938
What is this artist about? He carves wood… and his subjects are usually nudes in willowy, supine poses. So quiet and elegant or so they seem but maybe… what are they saying in their poses? There is a disconcerting question. Is it that maybe they are somewhat sexual?

Who is this Vance Thompson? His flamboyant elegant choice of clothes, this outward persona seems strangely akin to his carved figures. There is something strange about this sauciness he displays. Vance confronts you with his I dare you to “look me up close” as he moves into your personal space. It doesn’t take but a moment to know you are being challenged, but to what? Maybe he is asking you to prove your worth?
He is quick to tell you more than you really want to know about him
“As a kid I used to carve toys for myself.”
“I hated my dad, he was a really mean guy and would beat and humiliate me.”
Not happy with authority, he became a juvenile delinquent by the age of 13.
By age 16, an alumnus of two juvenile detention homes.
Joined the Navy, age 17
Did a little boxing in the Navy, got “whupped”
Started taking dancing lessons in his free time and became a dance instructor. Enjoyed flirting in the genteel atmosphere of the dance studio and the respect given to the teacher.
Taught at the Ray Quinlan’s St. Louis in Missouri.
He became bored. Tried other jobs, including industrial painting.
Then decided he wanted to see a bit of the world and found a bit of trouble.
Robbing postal offices in small towns with a partner whom when caught for some other crimes snitched about the postal stuff. The police picked him up at a St. Louis Beauty school and did 5 years in prison.
He was a model prisoner and was allowed to do carvings for the wardens of Leavenworth and Chillicothe.
“For 25 years I took from society now I want to give back and be nice”
Danced in competitive dance, Jitter Bug 1988 – Swing Dance 1991 with Sheri Valvero.
Married to fourth wife who, he says,“happily lets me dance at the Sports Cafe, a swing dance club in the area.”
He has resigned from his most recent vocation, (“The Dancing Referee”) referring Pro Boxing. Thompson now is the Chief of Officials for St. Louis Amateur Boxing.
Expect to see Vance on the streets of St. Louis, as he is focusing this year on promoting of his skills as the wood carver extraordinaire. (Note: You may not want to wager money on target knife throwing against Vance Thompson)

Galleries:
Componere Gallery, St. Louis, Missouri 1996- Present
Pompeii Gallery, Webster Groves, Missouri 1995
Mansion House Gallery, St. Louis, Missouri 1970’s

Commissions:
Chairs for the Governor’s Mansion Jefferson City, Mo.
Donor’s Plaque for St. Louis Soccer Park, St. Louis, Mo.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Plaques for Baptismal Stand
St. Louis, Missouri