When visiting the Phillips Collection this past summer in Washington, D.C., with KEDC, I knew immediately I wanted to share and explore more of Alma Thomas’s work with my 3rd graders. Alma was the first African American woman to have her artwork included in the White House Collection. She was a teacher and an artist, and she was inspired by the natural world and current events. We explored her artistic process and looked closely at her method of painting abstractly, focusing on the vibrant colors she used. Once we reflected on her artwork and her process, the students began their own Alma Thomas-inspired pieces based on their lives and surroundings, just as she once did. Each one was different and special.
Alison Chaney
Tollesboro Elementary
Lewis County Schools
K-6 Art and Music
