About Alma Woodsey Thomas
American · 1891–1978 · Abstract Expressionism, Color Field, Washington Color School
Washington DC painter who became, at eighty, the first African-American[1] woman to have a solo show at the Whitney Museum.
Read full biography →Alma Woodsey Thomas's works are held in 7 museums worldwide, including Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Gallery of Art, and The Phillips Collection.
🇺🇸 United States
7 museums
- 29 works
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Old Patent Office Building, United States
- 4 works
National Gallery of Art
Washington, D.C., United States
Mon–Sat 10:00–17:00, Sun 11:00–18:00FreeArchives – Navy Memorial (Green & Yellow)Confirm on museum website before visiting. - 1 works
The Phillips Collection
Duncan Phillips House, United States
- 1 works
Whitney Museum of American Art
Manhattan, United States
- 1 works
Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York City, United States
Sun–Tue, Thu 10:00–17:00; Fri–Sat 10:00–21:00; closed WedAdults $30, students $17 (pay-what-you-wish for NY residents)86 St (4, 5, 6)Confirm on museum website before visiting. - 1 works
Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago, United States
- 1 works
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Bentonville, United States
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Alma Woodsey Thomas?
Alma Woodsey Thomas was an American[1] artist, and in 1924[1], she became the first graduate of Howard University’s newly formed art department. She later obtained an MA in education from Columbia University. Thomas became identified with Colour Field painters while living, teaching, and painting in Washington DC from 1921.What is Alma Woodsey Thomas known for?
Alma Woodsey Thomas is known for her vividly coloured work. Her paintings, such as "Iris, Tulips, Jonquils and Crocuses" and "Starry Night and the Astronauts", correspond with Colour Field paintings. In 1972[1], she became the first African-American[1] woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum.What was Alma Woodsey Thomas's art style?
Alma Woodsey Thomas's art style corresponds with Colour Field paintings. However, she deviated from other Colour Field art in that she often hints at elements.
Sources
Where to See guide aggregates verified holdings of Alma Woodsey Thomas's works across the following collections.
- [1] wikipedia Wikipedia: Alma Woodsey Thomas Used for: biography.
- [2] book 20210601artandantiques Used for: stylistic analysis.
- [3] book Dorling Kindersley, Artists: Inspiring Stories of the World's Most Creative Minds Used for: biography.
- [4] book guggenheim-museum00solo Used for: biography.
- [5] book Massey, Anne,Seago, Alex, Pop Art and Design Used for: biography.
- [6] book Norma Broude, The Expanding Discourse Used for: stylistic analysis.
- [7] book Hodge, Susie, 1960- author, The short story of women artists : a pocket guide to movements, works, breakthroughs, & themes Used for: biography, stylistic analysis.
Editorial overseen by Solis Prints. Sources verified 2026-05-15. Click a source for details, or hover over [N] in the page above to preview.
Editorial standardsMethodologyCorrectionsAI disclosureAbout the editorial team