CHANNEL GUICE THOMAS
Los Angeles, CA
2024-2025 Scholarship California State University
Scholarship 2022-2023, 2023-2024
Grant 2019-2020, 2017-2018, 2016-2017, 2011
Channel Guice Thomas is pursuing a BA in Fashion, Fibers and Materials from California State University. In Summer 2024, she earned two Associates of Arts degrees in both Studio Arts and Fashion Design from Santa Monica College. Notably, she received top honors for Outstanding Collection and Technical Achievement for garments she created in a Fashion Show Production course. As she continues on her journey toward obtaining a Bachelor’s degree, she will learn crochet, knitting, embroidery, textiles, and fashion. She looks forward to blending her existing knowledge with these new skills and “creating something new, exciting, thought-provoking, and meaningful.”
Guice Thomas is inspired by the “colorful rhythms and soulful melodies” of New Orleans. She is a long-time practitioner of Batik, the Indonesian technique of wax-resist dyeing. “As I peel away the layers of wax to reveal the hidden treasures beneath, I am reminded of the layers of history and culture that shape my identity as an artist,” she shares. “Through the art of batik, I explore the intersection of tradition and innovation, blending ancient techniques with modern sensibilities to create pieces that are both timeless and contemporary. The wax and dyes become my tools for storytelling, allowing me to weave narratives of joy, contemplation, and resilience into the fabric of each creation.”
Recognizing the importance of community, Guice Thomas actively fosters connections among her peers and seeks to share her work in communal spaces. She finds solace in the supportive environment provided by the Black Collegians community, stating, “Despite being an older student who often prefers solitude, the shared experiences within this group foster a sense of belonging.” She also works as a Peer Navigator mentor to 98 first-year college students.
Prior to her current pursuits, Guice Thomas studied Apparel Construction at Santa Monica Sewing Center in 2016 and 2017. She studied Elementary Education at the University of Louisiana in Monroe from 2013 to 2015 and received an Associates of Arts in Business Administration/Visual Communications at American Intercontinental University in 2007.
Channel Guice Thomas first joined the YAYA Guild in 1995.