Brett Thuma Gallery - Bigfork

Brett Thuma Gallery: Fine Art for the Discerning Collector

Brett Thuma was born in Dekalb, Illinois, in 1968. From an early interest in art and the natural world, Brett studied art from grade school onward and has 2 pieces in the St.Charles High School Permanent Collection. He went on to receive formal training at Albion College in Albion, Michigan. There, he completed two degrees - one in Art and another in American Studies. Soon after graduating in 1990, Brett moved to Bigfork, Montana which he'd visited since childhood. The move to the West has given Brett the opportunity to study wildlife and their habitat first hand, which he feels is very important to the quality and authenticity of his paintings. He also enjoys traveling, and takes every opportunity to gather background material for his work. After sharing a gallery with another artist for several years, the Brett Thuma Gallery was established in 1996 and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006.



Brett paints a variety of nature related subjects, including landscapes, flyfishermen/women, big game, and songbirds in a realistic manner. 'My excitement for the natural world continues to grow as I learn more about its workings' he explains.

Brett has received various awards, including, Best of Show at the Festival of Western Song, Tall tales, Poetry, and Art in 1995, People's Choice Award and a Silver Medal in the Jim Ford Memorial art competition in 1996 and a Grand Prize in Bigfork's first annual Sidewalk Chalk drawing competition, May 1999.

Brett spends much of his time away from the easel working on native plant restoration projects he initiated near Bigfork. His wish is that people will pay more attention to native plant communities and the wildlife they support in their own yards. Brett is also a frequent contributor to a variety of conservation organizations.