Alma Thomas © inspyr arts ED LLC 2018

Alma Thomas September 22, 1891 Alma Thomas was born in Columbus, Georgia on September 22nd 1891. © inspyr arts ED LLC 2018

Her dad was a business man and her mom was a dress designer Her dad was a business man and her mom was a dress designer. She was the oldest of her sisters. Her parents moved the family to Washington D.C. in the hopes of giving the girls more opportunity. © inspyr arts ED LLC 2018

At the time of her schooling, the country was segregated At the time of her schooling, the country was segregated. “Segregation” meant certain people could only go to certain schools, or sit and eat in certain areas of a restaurant. As an African American girl, there were not a lot of opportunities available to her. Can you imagine not being able to play with whoever you want, or if you weren’t allowed to sit in certain places in school? Raise your hand if this would make you sad? Raise your hand if it would make you mad? Alma Thomas didn’t get mad or sad. She got inspired! © inspyr arts ED LLC 2018

She was most inspired by her aunts, who were elementary school teachers. She saw them working hard to earn their degrees, leading kids in their classrooms, and being positive role models. She wanted to be like them! She wanted to be a teacher! Photo - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:African_American_Teacher.jpg © inspyr arts ED LLC 2018

However, there was another thing that brought inspiration to young Alma Thomas - art! As a kid, she would make puppets and sculptures at home. In highschool, she took her first art classes, and she loved it! So, how could she combine the two things she loved the most? She became an art teacher! She graduated from Howard University with a Degree in Fine Arts, and was the first woman to earn that degree from the University. She would teach for a total of 42 years, from Kindergarten to Middle School! Photo - http://hbcustory.org/h-u-you-know-courtney-eiland-howard-university-07-2/ © inspyr arts ED LLC 2018

In 1960, after retiring from teaching, she would dedicate herself other love - painting! Did I mention that she was 70 years old when she did this? Photo - Portrait of Alma Thomas © Michael Fischer, 1976. Courtesy of the National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC | https://americanart.si.edu/ © inspyr arts ED LLC 2018

Detail of “Wind, Sunshine, and Flowers” (1968) Here is a detail of one of Alma’s paintings. She would refer to the streaks of colors as “daubs”, like she is dabbing paint next to each other. Notice that she has the colors almost touching each other, but there’s still a little bit of space in between each “daub”. Photo - http://www.artsobserver.com/2012/01/16/with-small-daubs-of-paint-alma-thomas-created-inspirational-canvases/ © inspyr arts ED LLC 2018 Detail of “Wind, Sunshine, and Flowers” (1968)

Iris, Tulips, Jonquils, and Crocuses (1969) This painting is called “Iris, Tulips, Jonquils, and Crocuse.” Her inspiration were flowers. At the time of her paintings, there were many sad things and happy things happening in the world. She chose to focus on the happy things. And she felt that nothing makes people happier than colors, and nothing is more colorful than flowers! Photo - https://www.artsy.net/artwork/alma-thomas-iris-tulips-jonquils-and-crocuses © inspyr arts ED LLC 2018 Iris, Tulips, Jonquils, and Crocuses (1969)

Autumn Leaves Fluttering in the Breeze (1973) Our next painting is called “Autumn Leaves Fluttering in the Breeze.” Raise your hand if you see two complementary colors in this painting? You’re right; there is orange and blue, which are opposite of one another on the color wheet. The blue in the background makes the orange in the foreground stand out. Notice that she has her pattern of orange “daubs” floating like leaves in the wind. Photo - https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/autumn-leaves-fluttering-breeze-24003 © inspyr arts ED LLC 2018 Autumn Leaves Fluttering in the Breeze (1973)

Azaleas Singing and Dancing Rock and Roll Music” (1976) Our next painting is called “Azaleas Singing and Dancing Rock and Roll Music.” She used the color red. Raise your hand if you think the color red is a secondary color? Raise your hand if you think red is a primary color? You’re right, it is a primary color! Notice the negative space inbetween the red daubs. There is more space up inbetween the daubs on the right side, than there is to the left side of the painting. She wanted top show a break in the pattern, similar to how music sometimes has pauses, then lots of sound, all in one song. Photo - Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C. / http://artseverydayliving.com/arts-everyday-living-alma-thomas/ © inspyr arts ED LLC 2018 Azaleas Singing and Dancing Rock and Roll Music” (1976)

Starry Night and the Astronauts (1972) Flowers were not the only things that fascinated Alma Thomas. An amazing thing was happening around the time of this painting – the United Stated was sending its first astronauts into SPACE! This painting is called “Starry Night and the Astronauts.” See how she used complimentary colors, blue and orange ,to make the “rocket” stand out If you squint your eyes and look at the painting, the white spaces in between the black and blues will start to look like tiny little stars in space. Photo - http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/exhibitions/AfricanAmerican/Starry-Night © inspyr arts ED LLC 2018 Starry Night and the Astronauts (1972)

Splashdown of Apollo 13 (1970) This painting is called “Splashdown of Apollo 13.” When astronauts would return to earth, they would come back in a tiny vessel that parachutes its way into the ocean. This painting shows the ripple effect that would happen when the vessel hits the water. © inspyr arts ED LLC 2018 Splashdown of Apollo 13 (1970)

Here is a picture of her artwork in a gallery Here is a picture of her artwork in a gallery. Can you see “Starry Night and the Astronauts in the background? At the age of 80, Alma Thomas became the first African American female artist to have a solo art show at the Whitney Museum in New York. Photo - http://4columns.org/d-souza-aruna/alma-thomas / Adam Reich © inspyr arts ED LLC 2018

She was also the first African American female artist to be part of this house’s permanent art collection. Can you tell me what house you think this is? Yes, you’re right! The White House. Raise your hand if you see the her artwork in the background. Photo: http://www.artnews.com/2015/04/15/heres-a-photo-of-an-alma-thomas-painting-in-the-white-house/ PETE SOUZA/WHITE HOUSE © inspyr arts ED LLC 2018

Here’s our final look at Alma Thomas Here’s our final look at Alma Thomas. Alma Thomas passed away on February 28, 1978. She left behind a legacy of beautiful artwork that inspires hope in all those who see it. “Through color, I have sought to concentrate on beauty and happiness, rather, than on man’s inhumanity to man.” – Alma Thomas Photo - http://www.culturetype.com/2015/04/17/alma-thomas-is-given-pride-of-place-at-the-white-house/ © inspyr arts ED LLC 2018

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