Eric Thorsen

{{Infobox artist

| bgcolour =

| name = Eric Thorsen

| image = Sculpture by Eric Thorsen 2009.jpg

| image_size = 325

| caption = A sculpture by Thorsen depicting a beleaguered American World War I soldier holding his M1903 Springfield rifle. A captured German stahlhelm sits nearby.

| birth_name =

| birth_date = October 6, 1967

| birth_place = Glasgow, Montana

| field = Sculpture

| training =

| movement =

| works = "Mystery of the Redd"

| patrons = Nike Corporation; Washington Park Zoo; Norwalk City Center;{{cite news|title=Eric Thorsen Gallery, Expressions in Bronze|newspaper=The Daily Inter Lake|page=8|date=January 19, 2001|via=newspaperarchive.com}} Cameron Park and Zoological and Botanical Sciences; Lowes Hardware; John D. MacArthur State Park

| influenced by =

| influenced =

| awards = Carl E. Akeley Award, Best In World winner 1992 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships;{{cite news|title=Sculptor Carves Out National Niche|newspaper=The Daily Inter Lake|pages=1–2|date=June 11, 1992|via=newspaperarchive.com}} Award of Excellence 2000, Society of Animal Artists; Ralph "Tuffy" Berg Award, C. M. Russell Show 1996; People's Choice Award Best Sculpture 2000–2003 C. M. Russell Shows

}}

Eric Thorsen (born October 6, 1967) is an American painter and sculptor known for his wildlife sculpture and fish carvings which have won him multiple awards at major art shows nationwide including "Best In World" at the 1992 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships.{{cite news|title=Sculptor Carves Out National Niche|newspaper=The Daily Inter Lake|pages=1–2|date=June 11, 1992|via=newspaperarchive.com}}{{cite web|last1=Blomquist|first1=Kathy|title=Eric Thorsen, The 1992 World Championship Medal Winners, Best In World Carving|url=http://breakthroughmagazine.com/|publisher=Breakthrough Magazine, Issue 29|access-date=March 5, 2019}}{{cite news|title="An Artists Zoo"|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|page=L1|date=December 2, 2012|via=Newspapers.com}} At age 24 he is the youngest recipient of this award.{{cite web|last1=Blomquist|first1=Kathy|title=Eric Thorsen: More Than Promising|url=http://breakthroughmagazine.com/|publisher=Breakthrough Magazine, Issue 30|access-date=March 5, 2019}} Breakthrough magazine described him as "More than Promising"{{cite web|last1=Blomquist|first1=Kathy|title=Eric Thorsen: More Than Promising|url=http://breakthroughmagazine.com/|publisher=Breakthrough Magazine, Issue 30|access-date=March 5, 2019}} and his work has "an uncanny realism".{{cite web|last1=Blomquist|first1=Kathy|title=Eric Thorsen, The 1992 World Championship Medal Winners, Best In World Carving|url=http://breakthroughmagazine.com/|publisher=Breakthrough Magazine, Issue 29|access-date=March 5, 2019}} Thorsen has appeared on TV shows and YouTube{{cite web |last1=Lynne Flemming Channel |title=Eric Thorsen Sculptor in Bigfork, MT |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI5rOC8263s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/mI5rOC8263s |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|website=YouTube |access-date=6 March 2019}}{{cbignore}} and his artwork can be found in prominent public spaces,{{cite news|title=Eric Thorsen Gallery, Expressions in Bronze|newspaper=The Daily Interlake|page=1|date=January 19, 2001}} private collections, and on product labels. He has been commissioned to create artwork for corporate entities such as Nike Inc.,{{cite news|title="Nike Sculpture Boosts Career of Bigfork Sculptor"|newspaper=The Daily Inter Lake|page=42|date=April 27, 2001|via=newspaperarchive.com}}Lowe's,{{cite news|title="Thorsen Sculpture Soars to California"|newspaper=Bigfork Eagle, Kaleidoscope|page=1|date=March 3, 1999}} Coca-Cola,{{cite news |last1=Bjork |first1=Kay |title=Pair Carves Niche With Business |work=Bigfork Eagle |date=25 March 1992 |ref=Pair Carves Niche |page=11}} Walt Disney Attractions, Inc.{{cite news |last1=Bjork |first1=Kay |title=Pair Carves Niche With Business |work=Bigfork Eagle |date=25 March 1992 |ref=Pair Carves Niche |page=11}} and national non profit groups.{{cite news |last1=Bjork |first1=Kay |title=Pair Carves Niche With Business |work=Bigfork Eagle |date=25 March 1992 |ref=Pair Carves Niche |page=11}}{{cite web |last1=Vital Ground Foundation |title=Day Dreaming Sculpture |url=https://www.vitalground.org/?attachment_id=1579 |website=www.vitalground.org |access-date=6 March 2019}} He is a resident of Bigfork, Montana.

Early life

Thorsen was born on October 6, 1967, in Glasgow, Montana. He is the son of Marcus Walter Thorsen and Denise Renee Meunier. His father, while in active service in the U.S. Air Force, met Denise Meunier in Le Mans, France. They soon married and moved to Glasgow, Montana, in 1965. Eric was born on the Glasgow, Montana, air force base.{{cite news |last1=Head |first1=Katherine |title=Thorsen Molds Life Into Clay |work=Bigfork Eagle |date=10 July 2003 |page=1}} Later the family would move to St. Charles, Illinois. Thorsen would spend summers growing up with his mother's family in France visiting the Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, Musee du Rodin and Picasso's museum in Paris.{{cite news |last1=Head |first1=Katherine |title=Thorsen Molds Life Into Clay |work=Bigfork Eagle |date=10 July 2003 |page=1}} He studied works of Rodin, Picasso, Matisse and many other painters and sculptors.

Active in boy scouts, Thorsen earned the Eagle Scout rank.{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Jim |title=Award Winning Sculptor Makes Bigfork Home |work=Lakeshore Country Journal |issue=June - July |date=1 June 1994}} He graduated high school at age 17 in 1985 from St. Charles High School located in St. Charles, Illinois. Following his graduation from St. Charles High School, Thorsen moved back to his home state of Montana and attended the University of Montana where he studied for several years but did not graduate.{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Jim |title=Award Winning Sculptor Makes Bigfork Home |work=Lakeshore Country Journal |issue=June - July |date=1 June 1994}} Thorsen carved wood sculptures in his college dorm room{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Jim |title=Award Winning Sculptor Makes Bigfork Home |work=Lakeshore Country Journal |issue=June - July |date=1 June 1994}}{{cite news |last1=Head |first1=Katherine |title=Thorsen Molds Life Into Clay |work=Bigfork Eagle |date=10 July 2003 |page=1}} and his first exhibition was in the Ghost Art Gallery in Butte, Montana, in 1988. Thorsen exhibited his works of art while in college and left his studies to pursue creating artwork as a full-time career.{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Jim |title=Award Winning Sculptor Makes Bigfork Home |work=Lakeshore Country Journal |issue=June - July |date=1 June 1994}}

In 1990, Thorsen was contracted to create sculptures to be reproduced by Tom Taber Co.{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Jim |title=Award Winning Sculptor Makes Bigfork Home |work=Lakeshore Country Journal |issue=June - July |date=1 June 1994}} to be used as fundraising items for Ducks Unlimited.{{cite news |last1=Bjork |first1=Kay |title=Pair Carves Niche With Business |work=Bigfork Eagle |date=25 March 1992 |ref=Pair Carves Niche |page=11}} Soon after, in 1991, Eric created sculptures for the Meissenburg Design Company commissioned by companies such as Coca-Cola, Walt Disney Attractions, Inc. and non-profit groups.{{cite news |last1=Bjork |first1=Kay |title=Pair Carves Niche With Business |work=Bigfork Eagle |date=25 March 1992 |ref=Pair Carves Niche |page=11}}{{cite news|title=Eric Thorsen is an international award-winning sculptor. His work if frequently requested for catalogs and endorsements|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|page=9|date=March 17, 1998}}{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Jim |title=Award Winning Sculptor Makes Bigfork Home |work=Lakeshore Country Journal |issue=June - July |date=1 June 1994}}

In 1995, Thorsen started creating sculptures for Big Sky Carvers with thousands of pieces being sold and millions of dollars being generated{{cite news |last1=Bjork |first1=Kay |title=Pair Carves Niche With Business |work=Bigfork Eagle |date=25 March 1992 |ref=Pair Carves Niche |page=11}}{{cite web |title=Kalispell Art Casting, Eric Thorsen |url=https://www.kalispellartcastinginc.com/featuredartists |website=Kalispell Art Casting |access-date=6 March 2019}} for non-profit groups nationwide, including Ducks Unlimited.{{cite news |last1=Bjork |first1=Kay |title=Pair Carves Niche With Business |work=Bigfork Eagle |date=25 March 1992 |ref=Pair Carves Niche |page=11}}{{cite news|title=A World for Wildlife, Wood Carver Blends Art and Biology|newspaper=Bigfork Eagle|page=11|date=March 25, 1992}}

In 1993, he opened a gallery and studio in Bigfork, Montana.{{cite news|title=Eric Thorsen voted best of Bigfork|newspaper=Bigfork Eagle|page=B4|date=June 26, 2008}}"Wonderful Space". Kalispell Daily Inter Lake. Sunday, July 10, 2011 - Page 10{{cite web |title=Gallery Location |url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g45084-d2238649-Reviews-Eric_Thorsen_Art_Studio-Bigfork_Montana.html |access-date=6 March 2019}}

Personal life

Thorsen met his future wife, Cyndy Askeland, at the University of Montana in 1987. Askeland majored in education and graduated in 1991 with a degree in education. They were married on August 17, 1991, and two children were born to the couple, daughters Gabrielle and Madelaine.

Works

Eric Thorsen is known for his hyper-realistic style in woodcarving.{{cite web |title=Artifacts Gallery |url=https://artifactsgallery.com/art.asp?!=A&ID=796 |website=Artifacts Gallery |access-date=6 March 2019}} Early in his career he was drawn to the hyper-realism style being explored by other wood sculptors such as Franz Dutzler and Jett Brunett. In 1992 he entered his woodcarving titled "Mystery of the Redd" into the World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships and won the "Best in World" award and title for 1992-1995.{{cite web|last1=Blomquist|first1=Kathy|title=Eric Thorsen, The 1992 World Championship Medal Winners, Best In World Carving|url=http://breakthroughmagazine.com/|publisher=Breakthrough Magazine, Issue 29|access-date=March 5, 2019}}{{cite news|title=Sculptor Carves Out National Niche|newspaper=The Daily Inter Lake|pages=1–2|date=June 11, 1992|via=newspaperarchive.com}}{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Jim |title=Award Winning Sculptor Makes Bigfork Home |work=Lakeshore Country Journal |issue=June - July |date=1 June 1994}}{{cite news|title=Auction: Russell Auction Honors New Winners, Old Friends, Eric Thorsen, Tuffy Berg Award Winner & "Best in World" Winner, World Fish Sculpture Competition|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune, Western Art Roundup|page=4A|date=March 23, 1996}} At age 23 he is the youngest recipient of this award.{{cite web|last1=Blomquist|first1=Kathy|title=Eric Thorsen: More Than Promising|url=http://breakthroughmagazine.com/|publisher=Breakthrough Magazine, Issue 30|access-date=March 5, 2019}} Breakthrough magazine wrote about his "Best in World" award-winning sculpture at the World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships. "The bright hues of the three fish, the details of the scales and the flex of each fin have an uncanny realism. It's as if the fish were frozen in action for the person to touch".{{cite web|last1=Blomquist|first1=Kathy|title=Eric Thorsen, The 1992 World Championship Medal Winners, Best In World Carving|url=http://breakthroughmagazine.com/|publisher=Breakthrough Magazine, Issue 29|access-date=March 5, 2019}}{{cite news|title=Sculptor Carves Out National Niche|newspaper=The Daily Inter Lake|pages=1–2|date=June 11, 1992|via=newspaperarchive.com}}{{cite news|title=Auction: Russell Auction Honors New Winners, Old Friends, Eric Thorsen, Tuffy Berg Award Winner & "Best in World" Winner, World Fish Sculpture Competition|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune, Western Art Roundup|page=4A|date=March 23, 1996}}

In 1995, Thorsen began sculpting in clay creating both stylized and lifelike sculptures of both figurative and animal subjects.{{cite news |last1=Head |first1=Katherine |title=Thorsen Molds Life Into Clay |work=Bigfork Eagle |date=10 July 2003 |page=1}}{{cite web |title="Trumpet Practice" Eric Thorsen |url=https://artzline.com/private_collections/trumpet-practice-eric-thorsen/ |website=artzline |access-date=6 March 2019}} and casting his sculptures in bronze.Expressions in Bronze". Kalispell Daily Inter Lake. Friday, January 19, 2001 - Page 8{{cite web|title=Ask Art Eric Thorsen|url=http://www.askart.com/artist/Eric_Thorsen/106046/Eric_Thorsen.aspx}}{{cite news|title="An Artists Zoo"|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|page=L1|date=December 2, 2012|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|title="Cruisin’ for a bruin""|newspaper=The Daily Inter Lake|page=1|date=May 20, 1999}} Examples of work created include "The Coop", a bronze sculpture depicting Cynthia Cooper for the Nike Campus in Beaverton, Oregon.{{cite news|title="Nike Sculpture Boosts Career of Bigfork Sculptor"|newspaper=The Daily Inter Lake|page=42|date=April 27, 2001|via=newspaperarchive.com}}{{cite news |last1=Chase |first1=Candace |title=ART LOOMS LARGE IN BIGFORK ECONOMY |url=https://www.dailyinterlake.com/archive/article-68faaca3-ddba-5c65-9d9e-2dea65d47ef5.html |access-date=6 March 2019 |work=Daily Inter Lake |date=31 October 2007}} and "Children & Doves", City Civic Center, City of Norwalk, California.{{cite web|title= Norwalk City Hall, Eric Thorsen Sculpture|url=https://www.norwalk.org/city-hall/}} Thorsen sculpted a life-size bald eagle bust in under 30 minutes for the C. M. Russell Museum Quickdraw event in 1996.{{cite news|title=Auction opens with a bang. Eric Thorsen sculpts a bust of an eagle in 30 mins|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|page=1|date=March 23, 1996}}

A bronze sculpture by Thorsen, valued at $18,500, was stolen from Norwalk Civic Center in 2015.{{cite web|title=Bronze Sculpture Valued at $18,500 Stolen from Norwalk Civic Center|url=http://www.loscerritosnews.net/2015/01/27/bronze-sculpture-valued-at-18500-stolen-from-norwalk-civic-center/|website=Los Cerritos Community News|access-date=March 4, 2019}}{{cite web|title=Stolen bronze statue returned to Norwalk |url=https://www.presstelegram.com/2015/01/29/stolen-bronze-statue-returned-to-norwalk/|website=presstelegram.com|access-date=March 4, 2019}} The bronze, which the thieves had taken to a metal recycler, was later recovered.{{cite web|title="Stolen Bronze Statue Returned to Norwalk"HMG, Hews Media Group, Los Angeles, CA|url=https://www.loscerritosnews.net/2015/01/29/stolen-bronze-statue-returned-to-norwalk/|website=Los Cerritos Community News|access-date=March 4, 2019}}

Philanthropy

Thorsen volunteers at local schools teaching CAD Software and 3D printing technology in the classroom.{{cite news |last1=MATHESON |first1=HILARY |title=Swan River Teacher Uses Technology to Enhance Student's Experiences |url=https://www.dailyinterlake.com/front_page_slider/20171111/swan_river_teacher_uses_technology_to_enhance_students_experiences |access-date=6 March 2019 |work=Daily Inter Lake |date=11 November 2017}}{{cite news |last1=MATHESON |first1=HILARY |title=Rural Students Aim To Help Restore Caribbean’s Coral Reef |url=https://www.dailyinterlake.com/local_news/20181028/rural_students_aim_to_help_restore_caribbeans_coral_reef |access-date=6 March 2019 |work=Daily Inter Lake |date=28 October 2018 |ref=Coral Reef}}{{cite news |last1=www.swanriverschool.org |title=Local Artist Shares with 5th Grade |url=https://www.swanriverschool.org/local-artist-shares-with-5th-grade/ |access-date=6 March 2019 |publisher=Swan River School}} His sculptures have raised funds for non-profit organizations throughout the US and Canada through the following organizations: National Ducks Unlimited; National Elk Foundation; and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Thorsen has also raised funds for a dozen or more other organizations, the list of which is too numerous to mention here.

Public collections

Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia
Natural History Museum, London, England
Auburn University
The University of Tampa
University of Arizona{{cite news|title=Major General John Renner memorial at University of Arizona

|url=http://www.glendalestar.com/features/feature_stories/article_d60087bc-c77b-11e1-9a96-001a4bcf887a.html|access-date=March 4, 2019|newspaper=Bigfork Eagle|date=July 6, 2012}}

Monterey Bay Aquarium. CA
Washington Park Zoo, Michigan City, IN
Cameron Park and Zoological and Botanical Sciences. Waco, TX
Mankato Art Walk, Mankato, MN{{cite web|title="People's Choice Award" Green Sea Turtles, by Eric Thorsen. Permanent Display|url=http://www.citycentermankato.com/assets/uploads/2017/09/CA-fullbrochure-2017-proof-3.pdf|access-date=March 5, 2019}}{{cite web |title=Mankato Mobile Tour |url=https://mankato.oncell.com/en/306-green-sea-turtles-by-eric-thorsen-87087.html |website=mankato.oncel |access-date=6 March 2019}}
Norwalk City Center, paper boy, Norwalk, CA{{cite web|title=Norwalk, Art In Public Places|url=https://www.norwalk.org/residents/community-resources/art-in-public-places/}}
Nike Campus, WNBA player Cynthia Cooper #14 of Houston Comets, life-size bronze sculpture Nike Corporation, Beaverton, OR{{cite news |last1=Chase |first1=Candace |title=ART LOOMS LARGE IN BIGFORK ECONOMY |url=https://www.dailyinterlake.com/archive/article-68faaca3-ddba-5c65-9d9e-2dea65d47ef5.html |access-date=6 March 2019 |work=Daily Inter Lake |date=31 October 2007}}
Norwalk City Center, Children and Doves (33' x 108” x 8”) City Civic Center, Norwalk, CA{{cite news|title=Bigfork Sculptor wins major park project|newspaper=Bigfork Eagle|page=4|date=April 7, 1999}}{{cite news|title=Eric Thorsen Gallery, Expressions in Bronze|newspaper=The Daily Inter Lake|page=8|date=January 19, 2001|via=newspaperarchive.com}}{{cite news |last1=Chase |first1=Candace |title=ART LOOMS LARGE IN BIGFORK ECONOMY |url=https://www.dailyinterlake.com/archive/article-68faaca3-ddba-5c65-9d9e-2dea65d47ef5.html |access-date=6 March 2019 |work=Daily Inter Lake |date=31 October 2007}}
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, North Miami Beach, FL
Boca Grande Community Center, Boca Grande, FL
Lowes Hardware, La Quinta, CA
Lowes Hardware, Norwalk, CA{{cite news|title="Thorsen Sculpture Soars to California"|newspaper=Bigfork Eagle, Kaleidoscope|page=1|date=March 3, 1999}}
Great Northern Town Center, Helena, MT
Public Library, Polson, MT
Benefis Healthcare Foundation, Great Falls, MT{{cite web|title=Wildlife Art jazzing up Benefis Health System, Great Falls Tribune|url=https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2018/01/09/wildlife-art-jazzing-up-benefis-health-system/980970001/}}
Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Trail, Helena, MT
Moonlight Basin Lodge, Big Sky, MT
Shaw Communications, Canada
The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, Whitefish, MT
Flathead Bank, Bigfork, MT{{cite news|title="Bear encounter"|newspaper=Bigfork Eagle, Kaleidoscope|page=1|date=August 4, 1999}}

Exhibitions

Thorsen's artwork has been displayed in a number of special museum exhibits and gallery shows including:

2019 South Dakota Sculpture Trail, Waterton, SD{{cite web |title=The Watertown ArtWalk |url=https://southdakotasculpturetrail.org/locations/watertown/ |website=South Dakota Sculpture Trail |publisher=South Dakota Sculpture Trail |access-date=6 March 2019}}
2019 Sculptures on Parade, Mason City, IA{{cite web |title=Sculptures on Parade |url=http://www.sculpturesonparade.com/2015-16-walking-tour.php |website=www.sculpturesonparade.com |access-date=6 March 2019}}
2018 Mankato, MN City Art Walking Sculpture Tour{{cite web |title=2018 CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour |url=https://www.visitgreatermankato.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2018-CityArt-Walking-Sculpture-Tour-brochure.pdf |website=www.visitgreatermankato.com |access-date=6 March 2019}}
2018 Sculpture Tour Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI{{cite web |title=Past Tour Artists - Sculpture Tour Eau Claire |url=https://www.sculpturetour.org/past-tours/past-tour-artists/ |website=www.sculpturetour.org |access-date=6 March 2019}}
2017 Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk, Sioux Falls, SD{{cite web |title=Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk |url=https://sculpturewalksiouxfalls.com/sculptures/2017/sitting/ |website=Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk |access-date=6 March 2019}}
2016 Mount St. Mary Park in St. Charles, IL{{cite news |last1=Beltrano |first1=Jon |title=Face Time with Eric Thorsen |url=https://www.kcchronicle.com/2016/05/04/face-time-with-eric-thorsen/av9xcri/ |access-date=6 March 2019 |work=Kane County Chronicle |date=17 May 2016 |ref=Face Time with Eric Thorsen}}
2014 Mankato, MN Art Walk{{cite web|title="People's Choice Award" Green Sea Turtles, by Eric Thorsen. Permanent Display|url=http://www.citycentermankato.com/assets/uploads/2017/09/CA-fullbrochure-2017-proof-3.pdf|access-date=March 5, 2019}}
2014 Art Walk; Sioux Falls, SD People's Choice AwardThorsen Wins Peoples Choice Award for Sculpture, Bigfork Eagle|November 19, 2014
2014 Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD
Whitefish Gallery, Whitefish, MT{{cite web|title=New Whitefish Gallery|url=https://www.dailyinterlake.com/archive/article-495d71e2-aa8c-11e0-9daa-001cc4c03286.html}}
2013 Old Faithful Lodge. One man show; Yellowstone National Park, WY,
2013 Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD
2012 Art Walk; Sioux Falls, SD{{cite news|title="An Artists Zoo"|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|page=L1|date=December 2, 2012|via=Newspapers.com}}
2001 Nike Center, Lance Armstrong building. NIKE campus. Bearverton, OR
2000 S.A.A. Annual Exhibition, MacArthur Beach State Park, North Palm Beach, FL{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}{{cite news|title=Eric Thorsen Gallery, Expressions in Bronze|newspaper=The Daily Inter Lake|page=8|date=January 19, 2001|via=newspaperarchive.com}}
2000 Academy Art Museum, Easton, MD{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
2000 Burpee Museum of Natural History, Rockford, IL{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
2000 University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
2000 Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History; South Texas Institute for the Arts, Corpus Christi, TX
2000 S.A.A. Annual Exhibition, MacArthur Beach State Park, North Palm Beach, FL{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1999 S.A.A. Annual Exhibition, MacArthur Beach State Park, North Palm Beach, FL{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1999 Burpee Museum of Natural History, Rockford, IL{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1999 Utah Museum of Natural History, Salt Lake City, UT{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1999 The Neville Public Museum, Green Bay, WI{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1999 The R. W. Norton Art Gallery, Shreveport, LA{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1998 S.A.A. Annual Exhibition, MacArthur Beach State Park, North Palm Beach, FL{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1998 Disney's Animal Kingdom Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1998 Quick Draw, C. M. Russell Show, Great Falls, MT{{cite news |last1=Newhouse |first1=Eric |title=Quick Draw Rustles Up Quick Cash For Museum, Bigfork Sculptor Eric Thorsen pulls in $2600 for Romping Bear |work=Great Falls Tribune |date=21 March 1998}}{{cite news|title= Two nights of quick draw bring in more than $34,000|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune, Western Art Roundup|page=4A|date=March 22, 1998}}
1998-2009 Glacier International Airport, Kalispell, MT
1997 S.A.A. Annual Exhibition, MacArthur Beach State Park, North Palm Beach, FL
1997 C. M. Russell Show, Great Falls, MT
1997 C. M. Russell Museum Exhibit{{cite news|title="Lure allure"|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|page=1|date=August 8, 1997}}
1997 C. M. Russell Museum Exhibit "Fin land"{{cite news|title=Fin land|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|page=3|date=August 8, 1997}}
1996 S.A.A. Annual Exhibition, MacArthur Beach State Park, North Palm Beach, FL {{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1996 The Montana Governor's Mansion
1996 The Witte Museum, San Antonio, TX{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1996 The Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, PA{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1996 The Neville Public Museum, Green Bay, WI{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1996 The R. W. Norton Art Gallery, Shreveport, LA{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1996 The Delaware Museum of Natural History, Wilmington, DE
1996 C. M. Russell Show, Great Falls, MT
1996 Quick Draw, C. M. Russell Show, Great Falls, MT
1996 S.A.A. Annual Exhibition, MacArthur Beach State Park, North Palm Beach, FL{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1996 Art and Animals Exhibition, Bigfork, MT
1995 S.A.A. Annual Exhibition, MacArthur Beach State Park, North Palm Beach, FL {{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1995 Old Algonquin Museum, Algonquin, Ontario, Canada{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1995 Virginia Museum of Natural History, Martinsville, VA{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1995 Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, Pine Bluff, AR{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1995 The Sangre de Christo Arts and Conference Center, Pueblo, CO{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1995 S.A.A. Annual Exhibition, MacArthur Beach State Park, North Palm Beach, FL{{cite web |title=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibitions-of-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists, SAA EXHIBITIONS |access-date=6 March 2019 |ref=SAA EXHIBITIONS}}
1993 Boca Grande Civic Center
1992 World Fish Carving Championships. Gainesville, GA
1989 Hockaday Museum, Kalispell, MT

Awards

2017 Best of Show II winner at the annual Sioux Falls, South Dakota Sculpture Walk{{cite news|title=Local Sculptor wins in Sioux Falls|url=https://www.bigforkeagle.com/article/20170518/ARTICLE/170519862|access-date=March 4, 2019|newspaper=Bigfork Eagle|date=May 18, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Local Sculptor Wins Award in Sioux Falls, Daily Interlake|url=https://www.dailyinterlake.com/article/20170518/ARTICLE/170519840}}{{cite web |title=Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk |url=https://sculpturewalksiouxfalls.com/sculptures/2017/sitting/ |website=Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk |access-date=6 March 2019}}
2014 People's Choice Award, Mankato, MN Art Walk{{cite web|title="People's Choice Award" Green Sea Turtles, by Eric Thorsen. Permanent Display|url=http://www.citycentermankato.com/assets/uploads/2017/09/CA-fullbrochure-2017-proof-3.pdf|access-date=March 5, 2019}}{{cite web|title=GMG awards raise up Minnesota Elevator; Peoples Choice sculpture winner announced, Green Sea Turtles wins 'People's Choice', The Free Press, Serving South Central Minnesota|url=http://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/gmg-awards-raise-up-minnesota-elevator-peoples-choice-sculpture-winner/article_d0386e13-74b6-533a-928a-c8c4f99c8135.html}}
2014 Art Walk; Sioux Falls, SD People's Choice Award
2012 "Best of Show" Art Walk; Sioux Falls, SD{{cite news|title="An Artists Zoo"|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|page=L1|date=December 2, 2012|via=Newspapers.com}}
2003 People's Choice, Best Sculpture, C. M. Russell Show, C. M. Russell Museum Complex{{cite news |title=Eric Thorsen Awarded C.M Russel People's Choice Award |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/tags/eric-thorsen-choice-award-at-the-2003/?ob=1/ |access-date=7 March 2019 |work=Kalispell Daily Inter Lake |location=Sports Roundup |date=23 March 2003}}{{cite news |title=Eric Thorsen Awarded People's Choice Award for fourth straight year. |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/tags/eric-thorsen-choice-award-at-the-2003/?ob=1/ |access-date=7 March 2019 |work=Kalispell Daily Inter Lake |date=23 March 2003 |location=Arts and Entertainment}}{{cite web |title=Eric Thorsen ’89 won the C.M. Russell Art Show and Auction People’s Choice Award for Best Sculpture for the fourth year in a row |url=https://archive.umt.edu/montanan/w03/cnotes.shtml |website=The Montanan - The Magazine of The University of Montana, Fall 2003 |publisher=UM Alumni Association |access-date=7 March 2019 |location=Class Notes}}{{cite web |title=Eric Thorsen Gallery & Studio - Bigfork |url=http://www.virtualmontana.com/montanadirectory/montanalistings/GC/montana13865.htm |website=virtualmontana |access-date=6 March 2019}}
2002 People's Choice, Best Sculpture, C. M. Russell Show, C. M. Russell Museum Complex.{{cite news |title=Eric Thorsen Awarded People's Choice Award for fourth straight year. |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/tags/eric-thorsen-choice-award-at-the-2003/?ob=1/ |access-date=7 March 2019 |work=Kalispell Daily Inter Lake |date=23 March 2003 |location=Arts and Entertainment}}
2001 People's Choice, Best Sculpture, C. M. Russell Show, C. M. Russell Museum Complex{{cite news |title=Eric Thorsen Awarded People's Choice Award for fourth straight year. |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/tags/eric-thorsen-choice-award-at-the-2003/?ob=1/ |access-date=7 March 2019 |work=Kalispell Daily Inter Lake |date=23 March 2003 |location=Arts and Entertainment}}
2000 People's Choice, Best Sculpture, C. M. Russell Show, C. M. Russell Museum Complex{{cite news |title=Eric Thorsen Awarded People's Choice Award for fourth straight year. |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/tags/eric-thorsen-choice-award-at-the-2003/?ob=1/ |access-date=7 March 2019 |work=Kalispell Daily Inter Lake |date=23 March 2003 |location=Arts and Entertainment}}{{cite news|title=Eric Thorsen Gallery, Expressions in Bronze|newspaper=The Daily Inter Lake|page=8|date=January 19, 2001|via=newspaperarchive.com}}
2000 Award of Excellence, Society of Animal Artists{{cite web |title=Award History for Society of Animal Artists Exhibitions 1960 to Date |url=https://www.societyofanimalartists.com/award-history-for-the-society-of-animal-artists/ |website=Society of Animal Artists Exhibitions |access-date=7 March 2019}}{{cite news|title=Eric Thorsen Gallery, Expressions in Bronze|newspaper=The Daily Inter Lake|page=8|date=January 19, 2001|via=newspaperarchive.com}}
1998 C. M. Russell Quick Draw Highest Bid{{cite news|title="Award Winning Sculptor Receives Top Bid at the C.M. Russell Quick Draw & Auction"|newspaper=Bigfork Eagle Kaleidoscope|page=1|date=April 15, 1998}}
1996 Ralph "Tuffy" Berg Award, C. M. Russell Show C. M. Russell Museum Complex{{cite news|title=Auction: Heads into final day, "Eric Thorsen, Tuffy Berg winner for best new artist"|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune|page=6A|date=March 23, 1996}}{{cite news|title=Auction: Russell Auction Honors New Winners, Old Friends, Eric Thorsen, Tuffy Berg Award Winner & "Best in World" Winner, World Fish Sculpture Competition|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune, Western Art Roundup|page=4A|date=March 23, 1996}}{{cite news|title=Auction:Eric Thorsen, Tuffy Berg Award Winner|magazine=U.S. Art|page=27|date=July 1, 1996}}
Best of Show, Premium Show of Fine Art
1992 Carl E. Akeley Award, Best In World winner, World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships{{cite news|title=Eric Thorsen, Wood Sculptor extraordinaire|newspaper=Lakeshore Country Journal|page=1|date=July 1, 1992}}{{cite news|title=Auction: Russell Auction Honors New Winners, Old Friends, Eric Thorsen, Tuffy Berg Award Winner & "Best in World" Winner, World Fish Sculpture Competition|newspaper=Great Falls Tribune, Western Art Roundup|page=4A|date=March 23, 1996}}{{cite news|title=Eric Thorsen Gallery, Expressions in Bronze|newspaper=The Daily Inter Lake|page=8|date=January 19, 2001|via=newspaperarchive.com}}
1992 World Fish Carving Championships, First Place, Master Division, World Class

Television appearances

KPAX-TV special 1994 Under the Big Sky
Bigfork History Project{{cite web|title=Bigfork History Project|url=http://bigforkculture.org/bigfork-documentary}}
Interview Montana
2001 ESPN Interview, Eric Thorsen – Cynthia Cooper dedication{{cite news|title="Nike Sculpture Boosts Career of Bigfork Sculptor"|newspaper=The Daily Inter Lake|page=42|date=April 27, 2001|via=newspaperarchive.com}}
KDLT-TV, Sioux Falls, SD

=Television & movies =

Thorsen's art has been used in television and movies: WKRP in Cincinnati; Wild Things (1998), directed by John McNaughton; City Confidential; C Span with Anderson Cooper, opening sequence.