1. Alma Woodsey Thomas Born: 1891 Columbus, Georgia Painter Social Activist Art Teacher Died: 1978 Washington, D. C. Photo copyright of Smithsonian Institution American Art Museum.

2. Education First graduate of the new art department at Howard University. She is believed to be the first African American female to graduate with a Fine Arts degree in the U.S.

3. Ms. Thomas received her MAT and certification to teach the same year! While teaching at Shaw Jr. High for 35 yrs she developed cultural programs for her African American students such as gallery exhibits and puppet shows. Ms. Thomas worked hard for her students as African Americans were denied their rights and not allowed in all programs and places in America at that time.

4. Jr. High Art Teacher Thomas continued to paint while she taught. Her home kitchen doubled as her studio. This abstract painting is somber, heavy, and serious. The Stormy Sea, 1958 Photo: copyright of Smithsonian Institution American Art Museum

5. While Ms. Thomas taught she gained inspiration from her students and kept taking more classes. Red Abstraction, 1960 just after retiring. Photo: copyright of Smithsonian Institution American Art Museum For over 30 years Alma painted with slow drying oil paints—they can take months to dry! In 1958 Alma started painting with acrylic paints which are fast drying. Ms. Thomas also started using very bright alive colors.

6. In March 1963 Alma participated in the March on Washington D.C. demonstrating her continued support and involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Watusi (Hard Edge), 1963 Photo:copyright of Smithsonian Institution Hirshhorn Museum

7. Alma wanted to try a new kind of painting —unlike anything she'd ever seen or done before. But how? As she thought about this, she stood at her window, watching the holly tree in her front yard. Alma decided to try painting everything she saw—the sun shining through the leaves, the breeze rustling them, the shadows changing their shape and color. This would be her new kind of painting! Earth Sermon - Beauty, Love And Peace, 1971 Photo:copyright of Smithsonian Institution Hirshhorn Museum

8. Do the trees near your house play music ? Do the flowers in your neighborhood sing and dance? When Alma Thomas looked at her garden, she imagined that sometimes they did. Iris, Tulips, Jonquils and Crocuses Photo copyright: National Museum of Women in the Arts.

9. In 1972 Alma Thomas is the first African American woman artist to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art—a huge accomplishment!!! Eclipse, 1970 Photo: copyright of Smithsonian Institution American Art Museum Starry Night with Astronauts, 1972 Photo: copyright of Smithsonian Institution American Art Museum

10. Oriental Garden Concerto, 1976 Photo:copyright of Smithsonian Institution Hirshhorn Museum When a person studies Alma’s paintings it is easy to see her love of nature, light, color, the space program, and even music.

11. Photo Copyright: New York Times Ms. Thomas left behind a vibrant legacy of color, example of her determination, and painted on her own terms in a style of her own design.

12. Alma Thomas, one of my personal favorite artists. Snoopy Early Sun Display on Earth, 1970, Photo copyright of Smithsonian Institution American Art Museum.