My name is Alma Thomas.  When I was a little girl, I lived in a big Victorian home up on a hill overlooking the town I was born in, Columbus Georgia. 

Alma Thomas House; 1895

I loved to play in the yard with my three young sisters. We spent hours marveling at the gardens outside and the little town below our house. I dreamed of becoming an architect and designing bridges.  

My mama was a seamstress when I was little and a wonderful homemaker.  My father worked for a church.  

    In 1907, my father moved our family to Washington, D.C.  I was 15 years old.  I enrolled in Howard University's new art department.  My love for nature and architecture lead me to art. In 1924, I became the first student to graduate from Howard Universities art program. 

From there, I continued my education at Columbia University.  I graduated with a master of arts degree in education.

After I graduated, I started teaching art.  I loved teaching art! I spent 38 years teaching kids all about art.  I was one of the first African American art teachers. 

    In 1960, I retired from teaching in Washington, D.C. public schools.  I had a long and wonderful career as a teacher.  In 1966, Howard University wanted to show my life's work in an art show.  I never really pursued my art fulltime, because I was busy working with my students.  I decided to paint something new.  I took some art classes and studied expressionism and abstract art.  I began experimenting and growing my own style. 

From the window of my house, I enjoyed watching the light dance through the trees and gardens in my yard.  I spent hours studying the ever-changing patterns the light created in nature. I love color and light and the beauty of nature. 

I started painting vivid, colorful abstract paintings.  I painted a series inspired by the Earth. I was a member of the Washington 

Color Field School, an art movement based out of Whashington, D.C.  

In 1969, the first astronauts to land on the moon touched down. I was fascinated by the astronauts, space, the moon and it all made a huge impression on my art. I painted a series inspired by space exploration.

    In 1971, I was honored with a one-woman exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art.  I was the first Black woman in history to have a solo show at the Whitney Museum.  I was 81 years old.