Alma Woodsey Thomas, Art Teacher and Painter

Alma Woodsey Thomas was born on September 22, 1891 in Columbus, Georgia. She was from a well-respected family and the oldest of four daughters. Her father's name was John Maurice Harris and her mother was Amelia Cantay.

She lived in Georgia until she was 15 years old. The family then moved to the Washington, DC area.

Alma was very good with math and was gifted in the area of art. She was a student at the Armstrong Manual Training High School from 1907-1911. Architectural drawing was a course in which she performed quite well in. At the Miner Normal School she earned a teaching certificate in early childhood development. She was he first graduate of the Howard University Art Department.

In 1915 while living in Wilmington, Delaware, she worked at the Thomas Garrett Settlement House. It was here that she worked with children, teaching arts and crafts. She also designed costumes for community art events.

She taught art at Shaw Junior High School in Washington, DC beginning on February 2, 1925. She would stay there for 38 years.

In 1935 she received a Master of Arts degree in art education from New York's Columbia University.

The Washington School Arts League was founded by her in 1936. It was created to encourage African-American children through the use of tours, lectures and other cultural presentations at different venues.

Although she was quite familiar with the Cezanne and Matisse styles of art she showed her diversity when she switched to more colorful work. This was developed as a result of being exposed to the works of two leaders in the Washington Color School. She also took additional courses in color at American University between 1950 and 1960.

Her first one-person show was held at the Dupont Theater in Washington. Her paintings demonstrate her love of nature and color

Alma Woodsey Thomas passed away in 1978 in Washington.

What a refreshing thing to know that she continued her art career long after her retirement. Her work was superb and an example of what you can accomplish, no matter what age you are.

SOURCE:

African American Artists. Russell Evansen. 1983. Knowledge Unlimited, Inc. Madison, Wisconsin. Page 13.

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