James Thurman is a passionate teacher and object maker who loves sharing in his creative explorations with others. Both teaching and working in the studio are exciting and playful opportunities to find new and inventive solutions to artistic challenges. There is great joy to be found through every personal discovery.

After earning his MFA in Metalsmithing from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, James began his teaching career at Penn State University. Now an Associate Professor at UNT’s College of Visual Arts & Design. he has been teaching metalsmithing and 3D design in both workshops and university-level courses for more than fifteen years. James shares his Denton studio with his wife and partner in UJ Design Studios, Umut Demirgüç Thurman.