Abstract painting of a blue tiled pattern
Image Credit

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

Composing Color

Paintings by Alma Thomas from the Smithsonian American Art Museum
September 8, 2024 – January 12, 2025

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

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.

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Hamilton Building, Level 1
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Circular colorblock painting with each layer resembling rays of the sun

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

Abstract colorblock painting with alternating sections of blue, red, orange, yellow, and more

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

Abstract painting of a light gray background with jagged white patterned lines

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

Abstrract painting with a dark blue background and repeating yellow patterned lines

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

Pink abstract colorblock painting with light green webbed lines

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

Abstract red and green colorblock painting

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

Abstract painting with red splotches that appear as if the painting is dripping down

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

Square orange painting with a circular red and lighter orange circle in the middle

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

Red abstract painting of swirling tiles

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

Abstract painting depicting splotches of color that resemble leaves

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

Abstract painting with light green repeating tiles

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

Abstreact red tiled painting

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.

Abstract painting of swirling green tiles

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

Abstract painting with very light white and green colors with repeating black lines

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

Abstract painting of a blue tiled pattern

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

Abstract painting of light green and creme colors with a repeating pattern made to resemble snow falling

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

Light blue abstract painting with textured repeating lines

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

Abstract green painting with textured lines

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

Abstract red painting with textured repeating lines

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

Explore more Composing Color

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.