Alma Thomas, Elysian Fields (detail), 1973, acrylic on canvas, 30 1/8 x 42 1/4 in. (76.5 x 107.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of the artist, 1980.36.8
Alma Thomas, Elysian Fields (detail), 1973, acrylic on canvas, 30 1/8 x 42 1/4 in. (76.5 x 107.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of the artist, 1980.36.8 Hand Embellished Wall Art
Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas from the Smithsonian American Art Museum invites visitors to see the world through the eyes of Alma Thomas, the iconic American artist who created a style of her own with dazzling interplays of patterns and vibrant colors.
Composing Color explores the life of the groundbreaking American artist and educator, drawing on the extensive holdings of her paintings at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM). Thomas's abstract style is distinct, where color is symbolic and multisensory, evoking sound, motion, temperature, and even scent. The exhibition is organized around the artist’s favorite themes of space, earth, and music.
Born in 1891 in Columbus, Georgia, Thomas moved to Washington, DC, with her family when she was a teenager. She became Howard University’s first student to earn a degree in fine art in 1924 and went on to teach art in DC public schools for more than 30 years, as well as serving as vice-president of the Barnett Aden Gallery, one of the nation’s first racially integrated and Black-owned art galleries. At the age of 80, in 1972, Thomas presented solo exhibitions at both the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, earning her unprecedented recognition for a Black woman artist.
Her constant source of inspiration was nature, whether seen through her kitchen window or from outer space. Throughout politically charged times in American history and life, Thomas maintained her belief in the healing power of beauty and dedicated her life to its cultivation and expression through art.
Alma Thomas, The Eclipse, 1970, acrylic on canvas, 62 × 49 3/4 in. (157.5 × 126.4 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1978.40.3
Alma Thomas, Light Blue Nursery, 1968, acrylic on canvas, 49 x 47 7/8 in. (124.4 x 121.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1970.324
Alma Thomas, Gray Night, 1972. Acrylic paint on canvas; 68 7⁄8 x 56 7⁄8 in. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1972.147
Alma Thomas, Grey Night Phenomenon, 1972. Acrylic paint on canvas; 68 7⁄8 x 53 1⁄8 in. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Vincent Melzac, 1975.92.1
Alma Thomas, Wind and Crepe Myrtle Concerto, 1973. Acrylic on canvas; 35 x 52 in. (89.0 x 132.2 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum: Gift of Vincent Melzac, 1975.92.2
Alma Thomas, Red Abstraction, 1960. Oil on canvas; 36 1⁄4 x 30 in. (92.1 x 76.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum: Gift of the artist, 1978.40.1
Alma Thomas, Red Abstraction, 1959. Oil on canvas, 40 x 27 3⁄4 in. (101.6 x 70.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum: Gift of the artist, 1978.40.2
Alma Thomas, Snoopy Sees Earth Wrapped in Sunset, 1970, acrylic on canvas, 47 7/8 x 47 7/8 in. (121.6 x 121.6 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1978.40.4
Alma Thomas, Untitled (Music Series), 1978. Acrylic on canvas, 71 5⁄8 x 52 in. (182.0 x 132.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum: Gift of the artist, 1978.40.5
Alma Thomas, Fall Begins, 1976. Acrylic on canvas, 52 x 45 in. (132.1 x 114.3 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum: Bequest of the artist, 1980.36.1
Alma Thomas, White Roses Sing and Sing, 1976. Acrylic on canvas, 72 1/2 x 52 3/8 in. (184.1 x 133.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum: Bequest of the artist, 1980.36.3
Alma Thomas, Delightful Song by Red Dahlia, 1976. Acrylic on canvas, 42 x 30 in. (106.7 x 76.3 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum: Bequest of the artist, 1980.36.
Alma Thomas, Grassy Melodic Chant, 1976. Acrylic on canvas, 46 x 36 in. (116.8 x 91.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum: Bequest of the artist, 1980.36.5
Alma Thomas, Arboretum Presents White Dogwood, 1972. Acrylic on canvas, 67 7⁄8 x 54 7⁄8 in. (172.5 x 139.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum: Bequest of the artist, 1980.36.6
Alma Thomas, Elysian Fields, 1973. Acrylic on canvas, 30 1/8 x 42 1/4 in. (76.5 x 107.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum: Bequest of the artist, 1980.36.8
Alma Thomas, Snow Reflections on Pond, 1973. Acrylic on canvas, 68 x 54 in. (172.7 x 137.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum: Bequest of the artist, 1980.36.10
Alma Thomas, Celestial Fantasy, 1973. Acrylic on canvas, 60 x 54 in. (152.4 x 137.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum: Bequest of the artist, 1980.36.11
Alma Thomas, Spring Grass, 1973. Acrylic on canvas, 59 5/8 x 54 1/2 in. (151.4 x 138.4 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum: Bequest of the artist, 1980.36.12
Alma Thomas, Antares, 1972. Acrylic on canvas, 65 3/4 x 56 1/2 in. (167.0 x 143.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum: Bequest of the artist, 1980.36.13
Alma Thomas sought out beauty every day, once stating, "Art could be anything. It could be behavior—as long as it’s beautiful."
Read the descriptive text and see the artworks on display in greater detail in our online exhibition guide.
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Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas is organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Generous support has been provided by the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Chris G. Harris, the Wolf Kahn Foundation, and Susan Talley.
Support for the presentation at the Denver Art Museum is provided by the Birnbaum Social Discourse Project, the donors to the Annual Fund Leadership Campaign, and the residents who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Promotional support is provided by 5280 Magazine and CBS Colorado.
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