Alma Thomas: Pioneer and Trailblazer in American Art | by Ian Morris | November 2024
Alma Woodsey Thomas was born in Columbus, Georgia, in 1891. Her family moved to Washington, D.C., in 1907, where she began her path towards becoming an influential artist and educator. After obtaining her teaching certification and working in Delaware, Thomas returned to Washington, D.C., to attend Howard University, where she made history as the school's first art department graduate in 1924.
Thomas's dedication to education and the arts led her to a 35-year career at Shaw Junior High School. During this time, she earned a master's degree in art education from Columbia University Teachers College, created marionette shows, participated in artist-run ateliers, and co-founded the city's first Black-owned and -run gallery space. In 1952, she pursued further art and art history training at American University while maintaining her teaching career. Upon retiring in 1960, Thomas finally focused full-time on her art, leading to her signature abstract style.
Thomas's exceptional talent gained national recognition when she became the first Black woman to hold a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1972. Her work continued to thrive, with participation in the State Department's Art in Embassies program and acquisitions of her paintings by prestigious museums. Despite passing away in 1978 at the age of 86, Alma Thomas's remarkable contributions as an artist and educator remain an inspiration, solidifying her place as a trailblazer in American art history.
Horizon, (1974)
Despite facing the challenges of segregation and prejudice during her lifetime, Thomas forged her own unique style that transcended established genres and incorporated elements of gestural abstraction and color field painting. Her work continues to inspire and captivate audiences, with pieces displayed in prominent museums and collections worldwide.
Thomas drew inspiration from the beauty of nature, the vastness of the cosmos, and the harmony of music. This fascination with the world around her led to the development of her signature style, characterized by dazzling interplays of pattern and hue. Thomas's artistic career blossomed in the mid-1960s, after retiring from a 35-year career as a schoolteacher in Washington, D.C. Her perseverance and dedication to her craft resulted in a remarkable body of work that challenges traditional notions of abstract art.
As a founding member of the Washington Color School art movement and an influential figure in the Expressionist genre, Thomas forged new paths for African-American artists. She was the first graduate of Howard University's art department, maintaining strong ties to the institution throughout her life. Thomas's reputation has continued to grow posthumously, with her paintings being the subject of numerous books, solo exhibitions, and high-profile auctions. In 2021, one of her most famous works, "Alma's Flower Garden," sold for $2.8 million, solidifying her place in art history.
Alma Thomas's vibrant and mesmerizing paintings serve as a testament to her extraordinary talent and unwavering determination. Her unique style and dedication to her craft not only made her a trailblazer in the world of abstract art but also paved the way for future generations of artists. Through her work, Thomas has left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and delight art lovers around the globe.
Alma's Flower Garden (1970)
