Movers & Shakers – Thomas Golz

Thomas Golz is an example of what happens when we stare limitations in the eye and proclaim, “You can’t stop me!”

Defying the stereotypes attached to severe autism, the 20-year-old has been featured on News Channel 5, given an honorary lifetime membership with Art Round Tennessee, and included in the Council on Developmental Disabilities’ magazine Breaking Ground for his stunning dioramas.

His mother Jennifer Gray stated, “As a parent of a special needs child, you’re always looking for what their gift is. You know he has one, but what is it? This work brings us together. He runs with his dad (Pete Golz) and plays golf with him, but this is what brings us together.” She continued, “When he was younger, he was fascinated with hardware and houseware. At nine years old, he dismantled a ceiling fan and put it back together. My dad spotted him putting an attachment in the ceiling fan to make it remote-controlled. He then installed dimmers all over the house. That’s why I advocated for him to be in Mr. Mansell’s class (Randy Mansell, retired CTE teacher) at CHS. My initial vision was that he could be in carpentry, but once COVID came, we realized he had the artistic ability to work with tiny things and make them beautiful. He comes home from work ready to start immediately. I’ve never pushed him, we go at his pace.”

Beyond an artistic outlet, Thomas’ dioramas have turned into a source of income and a celebration of the community. Beginning with commissioned work for business owners Cigi and Michael England (building a miniature of their coffee shop, The Exceptional Bean), Thomas has been hired to build dioramas representing a number of Cookeville staples including Big O’s, Ralphs Donuts (Thomas donated this composition to The Exceptional Bean’s fundraiser in December – the piece sold for $4,000), Cream City (another design he donated to benefit Rising Above Ministries which netted $1,700 for the cause), Cream City, and J&S Construction.

Thomas’ passion for building miniatures started in 2020 when his mother purchased a Pierce Greenleaf Dollhouse Kit. From there, he transitioned to other kits before launching into commissioned, freestyle dioramas.

When asked what those who don’t experience life with special needs or parent someone on the spectrum might misunderstand from the outside looking in, Jennifer stated, “He’s got things to say, they all do. Though some of these kids are nonverbal they want to express and share with you, but you have to meet them where they are.” She continued, “I think if autism has taught me anything, it’s to slow down. Get on his pace and his page, because we tend to move so fast. He’s not a big communicator, if you don’t slow down, you’re going to miss things. He will come up with funny things and creative things, but if you don’t give him that space, you’ll miss a lot. There is so much humor and intelligence there, but the world passes people like Thomas by because he doesn’t keep up with the world’s pace. With Thomas, you have to look for signs. He’s not really verbal. He’s not going to break into your conversation, but he’s got things to say. Every one of these kids does.”

When I arrived at Thomas’s home, he let me know that it was “268 days until Christmas.” His obsession with the holiday permeates the house, especially his bedroom. Rather than becoming a hindrance, Thomas has channeled the hyperfixation that often accompanies autism to build beautiful, inspiring, expressive, lifelike pieces.

Any article that highlights the fullness of Thomas would be incomplete without mentioning that beyond art, Thomas is an employee at CS Candle Company and a host extraordinaire. When not creating dioramas or pouring wax, his time is spent planning the annual Thomas Golz Christmas party, an event he counts down to throughout the year.

Jennifer, her husband Brent (Thomas’ stepfather), and ex-husband Pete all see Thomas as an inspiration and gift to their lives. Through his spirit and creative drive, the young artist teaches those around him to appreciate the small moments and make in a way that reflects who you truly are.

“I think God gave me the right child and Thomas the right mom. When he was a baby, he would sit and stare out the window and hum. I thought, ‘How am I going to reach this child?’” Jennifer reflected. “One day, the Lord put on my heart to pick him up and match his hum. When I did, he swung his face around with a smile and changed the pitch of his hum so that I could match it again. From that moment on, we had a connection. I was not patient before Thomas, he taught me the value of slowing down and connecting with the world around you.”