Education

Tom is an advocate for the educational role of the arts and for strengthening the social and civic bonds between people and their communities. Through multiple public art projects, he has successfully used the visual arts as a means to train diverse groups of people in life affirming skills that allow them to realize their unique potential to improve society.

Tom's philosophical goal is to approach through the arts, any individual who is willing to engage in a process of discovery.   Emphasis is placed on valuing and respecting each participant's experiences and contributions while eliciting and supporting their creativity. Over the past 15 years he provided services to artists, supporters of the arts and community through numerous projects that remain loyal to his stated philosophy.

His process revolves around necessity. By observing, reading, communicating and keeping aware of the needs and trends in society he translates these ideas into tangible projects for all to take part in.

Tom is also the co-founder of Uncle Freddy's Gallery (est. 2002). The mission of Uncle Freddy's is "To reveal cutting-edge contemporary art. We support the notion that the work of an artist is truly an invention, a creation of a universal language of form, composition, design and technique developed to communicate expressively to the senses of humanity."

Below are some of Tom's recent projects.

Chinese Telephone Art Project, 2005

For a going away party for a board member of the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, Torluemke was asked to do a creative project at the party.   Guests at the event were lined up in single file with the last person drawing an image on the back of the person in front of them with their finger with each person in line translating the image on the back of the person in front of them the image making its way up the line to the person in front with a pencil and paper on an easel.   The drawings were then used to create a memorable piece of art for the guest of honor.

 

Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce Puzzle Project, 2005

Tom surprised Chamber members with a special art workshop. To stress the importance of using the right side of the brain in the world of business, and with the lights dimmed, board members were asked to draw various scenes with their eyes closed.   This was the first step in this major project for the group.  

Following the meeting, Tom poured through hundreds of drawings and selected imagery to be used as the content for the puzzle/mural. Once the line drawing for the mural was completed, Tom enlarged the images to a 5 x 10' mural.   The mural was then cut into interlocking jigsaw puzzle pieces.

Each board member was supplied with a puzzle piece and supplies to be used to adorn the piece, following the line drawing.

The finished piece is a dazzling framed puzzle literally illustrated by members of the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce.   The puzzle is proudly displayed in the board room of the Chamber.

 

 

Munster Junior Women's League, May 2006

As a fundraising event for the group, Tom held an interactive art workshop to encourage creative awareness in everyone.   After drawing exercises and a delicious lunch, participants made their own finished work of art to take home with them.   The event raised funds to support art scholarships at Uncle Freddy's Gallery.