Alma Thomas: podcast appearances and interviews

Alma Woodsey Thomas (September 22, 1891 – February 24, 1978) was an American artist, educator, minister, and author known for her contributions to the arts and community. She lived and worked in Washington, D. C., where she was a dedicated art teacher for over 35 years at Shaw Junior High School. Thomas is recognized as a major American painter of the 20th century, particularly noted for her vibrant, abstract paintings characterized by exuberant use of color. Her work has been associated with the Washington Color School but has also been classified as belonging to expressionism and Black abstractionism. She earned her teaching degree from the University of the District of Columbia and was the first graduate of Howard University’s art department, maintaining a lifelong connection to the institution. Despite the challenges of segregation and prejudice in her era, Thomas achieved recognition as an African-American female artist, with her works displayed in prominent museums and collections. Notably, she is the first African-American woman included in the White House's permanent art collection. Her reputation has continued to grow posthumously, with her paintings being the focus of solo exhibitions, books, and collections. The Smithsonian American Art Museum holds the largest public collection of her work. In 2021, her painting Alma's Flower Garden was sold in a private transaction for $2.8 million, reflecting her enduring influence and significance in American art history.