Artists: Thom and Kim Norby

Thom and Kim Norby, MONTANA
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Thom and Kim both attended the University of Montana where they met in the ceramics department. Thomas graduated with a BFA in painting in 1975; Kim focused on drawing and wheel-thrown clay.

Kim is a native of Rapid City, SD. She is influenced by Scandinavian designs, her love for the Black Hills and arctic landscapes. She has a great gift for linear drawing and freeflow design; making pots that are aesthetically rich as well as functional are important to her.

Thomas grew up in the eastern Montana town of Sidney where the nearby Yellowstone river flows. He discovered ancient buffalo skulls, agates, stone artifacts and pottery shards along this river which established his interest in western history and nature. Along with clay works he enjoys stone sculpture and retains a passion for painting and design.

The Norbys have been making pottery full-time since 1986. For eighteen years they lived in Willow Creek, Montana in the Gallatin valley. They made frequent trips to Yellowstone Park to photograph the vast herds of elk and bison along with grizzlies, black bears, and wolves. Thom and Kim now live in the northwestern Black Hills. Their studio is located in canyon country that is home to whitetail and mule deer, elk, and mountain lions. The artists frequently visit their cabin located in the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve in the heart of South Dakota's Black Hills where hiking and viewing wildlife of all kinds occupy much of their time. The cabin is situated at the base of Mt. Baldy which is home to mountain goats, deer and turkeys. Nearby, in Custer State Park and the Black Elk wilderness, elk, bison, and bighorn sheep can easily be watched and photographed.