Alma Thomas (1891–1978) was an African American abstract painter and educator, known for her vibrant, colorful compositions that often incorporated elements of nature. She was a pioneering figure in the Washington Color School, an art movement that emerged in Washington, D.C., during the 1950s and 1960s.Key aspects of Alma Thomas's career and artistic contributions include:1. **Early Life and Education:** Alma Thomas was born on September 22, 1891, in Columbus, Georgia. She attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she initially studied home economics but later switched to art. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1924 and went on to earn a Master of Arts in art education in 1934.2. **Teaching Career:** Thomas had a long and distinguished career as an educator. She taught art in Washington, D.C., public schools for over 35 years, influencing generations of students.3. **Washington Color School:** In the 1950s and 1960s, Thomas became associated with the Washington Color School, a group of artists known for their exploration of color field painting. While she shared some similarities with the movement, her work also stood out for its unique style, often incorporating abstract and semi-abstract representations of natural elements.4. **Chromatic Abstraction:** Alma Thomas's style evolved into what is often described as chromatic abstraction. Her paintings featured vibrant, rhythmic arrangements of color, and she was particularly interested in the emotional and expressive qualities of color.5. **Recognition:** Despite facing challenges associated with being an African American woman artist during a time of racial segregation, Alma Thomas gained recognition for her art. In 1972, she became the first African American woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.6. **White House Commission:** In 2009, Alma Thomas's painting "Watusi (Hard Edge)" was displayed in the White House. This made her the first African American woman artist to be represented in the White House's permanent collection.7. **Later Works:** In her later years, Thomas continued to produce art with a focus on abstraction and color. Her paintings often conveyed a sense of joy, energy, and optimism.Alma Thomas passed away on February 24, 1978, in Washington, D.C. Her contributions to abstract art and her role as a trailblazing African American woman artist have been increasingly recognized and celebrated in the years following her death.
Measures 38 x 50.
Verso is blank.

Good condition. No rips, tears, creases.