As a creator, John Paul Thompson has mastered transforming ideas into reality. With an impressive professional background, Thompson's wealth of experience makes him an invaluable addition to UTA Libraries as a Studio Technician. In this role, he is dedicated to supporting students' creative journeys and ensuring they have the tools to succeed. 

The Studios at UTA Libraries is a hub of innovation, offering a variety of resources and spaces. From the audiovisual studio and tech lending to print and design services and virtual production, The Studios provides students countless opportunities to create. It is also home to the C.R.E.A.T. Studio, a multi-use space for programming, drones, robotics and electronics. Managing these spaces and ensuring equitable access is a task Thompson takes seriously as their popularity continues to grow. 

"I come from a creative technology background, working as a musician, photographer, graphic designer and web designer. I am self-taught in most disciplines and have a degree in anthropology and ethnomusicology," Thompson shared. "I started as a musician playing the violin when I was 5. My parents are pianists, and my mom is a piano teacher. So, I have been a lifelong musician." 

Musical Passion 

Thompson's love for music blossomed early, expanding beyond the violin to the guitar, bass and other stringed instruments. His passion for music evolved into recording his own work and establishing a record label, Pandarosa Records, with friends during high school in the early 2000s. 

"We recorded bands and put on big concerts and festivals. That is where I dabbled in music production and web development, making websites for all the bands. I did early e-commerce by selling our stuff online," Thompson said. "All of the bands were people I either knew from high school, church or friends of friends." 

His creative journey continued as he attended the University of Chicago, where he collaborated with local bands while honing his craft as a musician. Over the past 12 years, Thompson has worked at Comma Music, a music licensing company that provides music for film, television and advertising. His roles there included head of information technology, technical director and digital marketing director. 

Joining UTA Libraries 

While his work at Comma Music was fulfilling, Thompson was ready for a new chapter. When he discovered The Studios at UTA Libraries, he knew it was the perfect opportunity to align his professional expertise with his passion for creativity. 

Since joining UTA Libraries in December, Thompson has been inspired by The Studios' positive impact on students.  

"It would have been a place that I would have been drawn to as a student," he said, reflecting on the difference such a resource could have made in his academic and professional journey. 

Giving Back 

Thompson's commitment to giving back outside of UTA extends through Easyside, a nonprofit he co-founded in 2022. Easyside supports artists with studios and exhibitions while serving the local community through a bimonthly food pantry and community-focused events. 

"I have been an East Fort Worth resident since 2018 along with my wife, Easyside co-founder, artist, and educator Corrie Thompson. During the pandemic, we became keenly aware of the resources missing from our neighborhood - it's a food desert with what seems like more abandoned storefronts than open businesses," Thompson said.  

"A study from UT Southwestern in 2019 found that the lowest life expectancy in Texas was in East and South Fort Worth. A Star-Telegram investigation linked the disparity to (among other things) a lack of access to healthy food. So, along with two other artists/friends, we started Easyside as a multi-purpose solution in the spirit of mutual aid, providing some of the resources that were missing in our community." 

Thompson shared that in 2024, Easyside worked with local farms, growers, and markets to provide fruits, vegetables, and pantry items to over 300 families. The nonprofit hosted eight exhibitions and 14 art events attended by nearly 400 people. Its facility on East Lancaster is home to nine artists' studios.  

"We're looking to (more-or-less) maintain these services in the new year, along with growing our board and deepening our connections in the arts community and our neighborhood," he said.  

Thompson expressed gratitude for the warm welcome from the UTA Libraries team, noting their support as he acclimates to his new role. "I'm thankful for the encouragement and guidance from my colleagues," he said. 

With his wealth of experience and passion for creativity, John Paul Thompson is well-positioned to inspire and empower the next generation of Mavericks through The Studios at UTA Libraries.