Visual Artist – born 1971, Romania

Education

2005 – Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Painting, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania

1998 – Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Painting, University of Arts and Design, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

1998 – Teaching Certificate, University of Arts and Design, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

1990–1992 – Undergraduate Studies in Engineering, Polytechnic Institute, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (Coursework toward Bachelor of Engineering)

Solo Exhibitions

2025 –There / Acolo, Arcade 24 Art Gallery, Bistrita, Romania

2024 – Other Lives / Alte Vieti, MACN, Museum of Art Cluj Napoca, Romania

2020 – Birdman, Blue Fig Gallery, Nashville, TN

2012 – Recent Works by Mihail Tomescu, Tomescu Art Gallery, Kennett, MO

2008 – Aeolian Strings, Isadore Gallery, Lancaster, PA

2007 – Diagrams of Love, Gallery 1.2.5, Cape Girardeau, MO

2005 – Ruminating a Mythological Now, Isadore Gallery, Lancaster, PA

2005 – Ruminating a Mythological Now, Edwin Zoller Gallery, PA

2005 – Faces: Paintings by Mihail Tomescu, Ritenour Building, Pennsylvania State University, PA

2003 – Painting Exhibition, Group show with Cristian Tarnovan, Cristian Porumb, and Marius Lehene

Gallery of the Bistrita-Nasaud Board for Culture, Cults and National Patrimony, Bistrita, Romania

Curator: Camelia Tarnovan

2002 – Romanian Artists, Galerie Lageland, Hamweg, Netherlands

2001 – Echoes, George Cosbuc Gallery, Bistrita, Romania

2000 – Jurjen Swalve & Mihai Tomescu: Two Person Show, Galerie Lageland, Hamweg, The Netherlands

1999 – Romanian Art, Vernissagge Art Gallery, Calgary, Canada

1998 – Pre-morphological Steps of the Figural, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Group Exhibitions

2017 – Aggregate, Ground Floor Gallery, Nashville, TN, Curator: Georganna Greene

2013 – West Austin Studio Tour, Austin, TX

2013 – Romanian Drawings, Tomescu Art Gallery, Kennett, MO

2013 – Give me Five- Romanian artists, Heights Art Gallery, Houston, TX

2010 – E.A.S.T, East Austin Studio Tour, Austin, TX

2007 – Art, Isadore Art Gallery, Lancaster, PA

2006 – Go Figure: Artist Interpretations, Isadore Gallery, Lancaster, PA

2005 – Grand Opening Group Exhibition, Isadore Gallery, Lancaster, PA

2005 – Graduate Exhibition, Hub Centre Gallery, Pennsylvania State University, PA

2005 – A Tribute to the Earth in Art and Imagination: "A Window Shop Hop”. State College, PA

2004 – Graduate Exhibition, Hub Centre Gallery, State College, PA

2004 – Celebrating Community, Honoring Earth: "A Window Shop Hop”, State College, PA

2003 – Cluj-Napoca Artists in Zalau: "Ion Sima”, Museum of Art, Zalau, Romania

2003 – Eternal Feminine, World Trade Centre Art Gallery, Bucharest, Romania

2003 – Cluj-Napoca Artists in Zalau: "Ion Sima”, Museum of Art, Zalau, Romania

2002 – Colibita Summer Art Residency Exhibition, Museum of Art, Bistrita, Romania

2002 – Cluj-Napoca Artists in Zalau: "Ion Sima”, Museum of Art, Zalau, Romania

2002 – Semiramide, National Museum of Art, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

2002 – Open Images, National Union of Artists Gallery, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

2002 – Substituted Time, National Union of Artists Gallery, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

2001 – Identities, Romanian Parliament Palace, "Constantin Brancusi" Hall, Bucuresti, Romania

2001 – Artists of Cluj Painting Exhibition, National Union of Artists Gallery, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

2001 – Cluj-Napoca Artists in Zalau: "Ion Sima Gallery”, Zalau, Romania

2001 – National Exhibition of the Union of Romanian Artists, Casa Presei Libere, Bucharest, Romania

2000 – Winter Saloon, National Union of Artists Gallery, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

1999 – Winter Saloon, National Union of Artists Gallery, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

1998 – Painting Exhibition, National Museum of Art, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

1993 – 4th Biennial of European Academies of Visual Art, Maastricht Art Fair, Maastricht, Netherland

Art Fairs

2018 Scope Basel, Basel, Switzerland

Professional Experience

Founder, Tomescu Art Gallery

In 2012, the Tomescu Art Gallery was established in Kennett, Missouri. Responsible for curating exhibitions, overseeing daily operations, and promoting local and international artists.

Administrative Committee Member, “Romulus Ladea” Fine Arts High School

Served as a member of the Administrative Committee at the “Romulus Ladea” Fine Arts High School in Cluj-Napoca, Romania from 2000 to 2003. Contributed to decision-making processes and the coordination of academic and artistic programs.

Member, National Union of Artists, Cluj Branch

Became a member of the National Union of Artists, Cluj Branch, Romania in 1999. Participated in professional activities and supported the local art community.

Assistant, Byzantine Painting Restoration Project

In 1994, worked as an assistant on the Byzantine Painting Restoration Project at the Church of Zimbor in Salaj County, Romania. Assisted with restoration efforts to preserve historical artworks.

Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant – Painting and Drawing, Pennsylvania State University (2004-2005)

Served as a teaching assistant for painting and drawing courses at Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, during the 2004-2005 academic year. Responsibilities included supporting the lead instructor, facilitating class activities, and assisting students in developing technical and conceptual skills in the visual arts.

Teaching Assistant and Instructor of Record, Online Drawing Class, Pennsylvania State University (2005)

In 2005, worked as a teaching assistant and instructor of record for an online drawing class at Pennsylvania State University. Managed course instruction, guided students through online assignments, and provided feedback to support their artistic growth in a virtual learning environment.

Coordinator, Friday Open Nude Model Class, Pennsylvania State University (2005)

Coordinated the Friday Open Nude Model Class at Pennsylvania State University in 2005. Organized model sessions, arranged class logistics, and ensured an effective and respectful environment for life drawing practice.

Professor of Drawing and Painting, “Romulus Ladea” Fine Arts High School, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (1999-2004)

Held the position of Professor of Drawing and Painting at the “Romulus Ladea” Fine Arts High School in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, from 1999 to 2004. Taught drawing and painting courses, mentored students, and contributed to the development of the school’s fine arts curriculum

Awards & Honors

Creative Achievement Award, School of Visual Arts, Pennsylvania State University (2005-2006)

Received the Creative Achievement Award from the School of Visual Arts at Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, for the 2005-2006 academic year. The recognition was accompanied by inclusion in the official exhibition catalogue.

Full Tuition Scholarship and Graduate Assistantship, Pennsylvania State University (2005-2006)

Was granted a full tuition scholarship for graduate studies at Pennsylvania State University during the 2005-2006 academic year. This scholarship included a graduate assistantship, providing both financial support and professional development opportunities.

Colibita Invitational 2002, Artist Residency and Group Exhibition, Colibita, Romania

Participated in the Colibita Invitational 2002, an artist residency and group exhibition held in Colibita, Romania. The event and the artist’s contributions were documented in the exhibition catalogue.

Academic Merit Scholarship, University of Arts and Design Cluj-Napoca (1994-1998)

Awarded the Academic Merit Scholarship at the University of Arts and Design Cluj-Napoca, Romania, for outstanding academic performance during the years 1994 to 1998

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

2005 – Artist Mihail Tomescu Show at Isadore Gallery, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

A press article documented Mihail Tomescu's solo exhibition at Isadore Gallery in Lancaster, PA. The coverage highlighted his creative achievements and the reception of the show within the local arts community.

2005 – Fine Arts Thesis Exhibit Opens, “Daily Collegian”, State College, Pennsylvania

The “Daily Collegian” published a press article covering the opening of Mihail Tomescu's fine arts thesis exhibition in State College, PA. The article provided insights into the exhibition’s themes and the artist’s academic accomplishments

2001 – 22 Artists from Cluj Napoca at Sima Gallery, Zalau, Romania

A press article from Zalau, Romania reported on a group exhibition at Sima Gallery, featuring 22 artists from Cluj Napoca. The coverage commented on the diversity of artistic approaches represented in the show

2001 – Expositie Agenda, Netherlands

A press article from the Netherlands noted Mihail Tomescu's participation and contributions to the international exhibition circuit, as reported in the “Expositie Agenda.”

2001 – Roemeense Kunst in Lageland Te Zien, Lageland, the Netherlands

Coverage in Lageland, the Netherlands highlighted an exhibition of Romanian art, with particular attention to Mihail Tomescu’s works and their impact within the local art community.

1998 – Pre-morphological Steps of the Figural, Thesis Project, University of Art and Design, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

ART CATALOGUES

2003 – Encyclopedia of Contemporary Romanian Artists

Featured with a dedicated one-page entry in the "Encyclopedia of Contemporary Romanian Artists," published by Arc Press, Romania (page 189). This inclusion recognizes Mihail Tomescu’s impact and contributions to the contemporary Romanian art scene.

2002 – Grai, Colibita Summer Art Symposium, Second Edition

Documented in the art catalogue "Grai" for the second edition of the Colibita Summer Art Symposium, Bistrita, Romania (pages 6–7). The catalogue highlights Tomescu’s participation and artistic output during the symposium.

2000 – Artists of Cluj

Included with a one-page entry in the publication "Artists of Cluj," Cluj Napoca Municipal Press, Romania (page 34). This catalogue profiles significant artists from Cluj, emphasizing Tomescu’s role within the local art community.

1999 – Contemporary Artists of Cluj

Provided a one-page entry in "Contemporary Artists of Cluj," Cluj Napoca Municipal Press, Romania (page 66). The publication showcases leading contemporary artists from Cluj, reflecting Tomescu’s ongoing influence in the region.

Back