Alma Thomas- The First Black Woman with a solo show at The Whitney Museum of American Art

In an often homogenous arena, black people are often left out of the narratives of fine artists known to the general public.

As Basquiat recently surpassed immortal status in the art world, many Black American women have been left out of the conversation of global recognition for artistic contributions. Of considerable snub is Alma Thomas.

Who is Alma Thomas? Alma is the first Black American woman to have a solo exhibit in Whitney Museum of American Art, presenting  Mars Dust The Eclipse (1972) (1970, SAAM) and Antares (1972, SAAM), among other works. In 1924, Thomas became Howard University’s first fine arts graduate, encouraged by the art department’s founding professor, James V. Herring. 

1907, Alma and her family moved to Washington, DC, in search of greater educational opportunities and relief from racial violence in the South. Thomas earned an MA in arts education at Columbia University in 1934.In 1943, Thomas had a significant role in the formation and founding of Barnett Aden Gallery, among the first Black-owned galleries in the United States, and later studied art at American University during the 1950s. 

In 1963, Thomas attended the 1963 March on Washington, creating three related works in the process. A subtle nod to togethness, not focusing on the negativity of the situation, the painting serves as a moment in time, “Through color,” Thomas said, “I have sought to concentrate on beauty and happiness, rather than on man’s inhumanity to man.”

John Doe contributed to this article.