Alma Thomas (1891-1978) was a leading American abstract painter based in Washington, DC. Thomas was the first graduate of Howard University’s School of Fine Arts (1924). She was the first African American woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art (1972). Her work is currently on view at the White House. Though her artistic career was relatively brief, 1950 to 1978, only four female artists had more solo exhibitions than Thomas during the period from 1970-1985: Laurie Anderson, Helen Frankenthaler, Louise Nevelson; Lee Krasner. Permanent collections include:  Art Institute of Chicago; Metropolitan Museum of Art; Whitney Museum of American Art; National Gallery of Art; Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.