In celebration of Black History Month, our students embarked on a vibrant journey into the world of Alma Thomas, a pioneering African American artist who defied expectations and illuminated the art world with her unique vision. We explored her remarkable life, learning how she transitioned from a dedicated educator to a celebrated artist later in life, proving that passion and creativity know no age limits. We discovered her signature style, characterized by dazzling, colorful abstractions inspired by nature and the cosmos, particularly her "space paintings" and her observations of her own garden. Students were captivated by her use of broken color and mosaic-like patterns, understanding how she transformed simple forms into breathtaking expressions of light and color. Inspired by Thomas's extraordinary approach, our students unleashed their own creativity, crafting personal artworks that echoed her style while reflecting the things they love most. From the intricate patterns of their favorite sports to the vibrant hues of beloved landscapes, each piece became a unique tribute to Alma Thomas's enduring legacy and the power of individual expression.
Airplane in the Clouds - By Zack.
For my project, I painted an airplane in the clouds. The reason I chose an airplane is because I enjoy drawing planes, and I find them interesting. Also, landscapes are my favorite things to draw. I have always liked airplanes since I was a child. I would like to learn how to fly one someday; it would be cool to get a license. I think my best projects are usually about nature.
Three – By AJ.
I chose to paint two people wrestling because wrestling is one of my passions. I have wrestled for eight years and plan to continue for four more. This painting was inspired by Alma Thomas's techniques. I used brushstrokes similar to hers to depict a mat return in a wrestling match. After completing the painting, I selected an appropriate title and wrote this description.
Fishing Memories - By Tamryn.
Hi, my name is Tamryn, and my piece is titled 'A Peaceful Day for Fishing.' This artwork was inspired by cherished childhood memories of family fishing trips to an old dock near Blunt. One particular memory stands out: my dad instructing everyone to be quiet and patient while waiting for the fish. As I waited, I observed the tranquil scenery of the lake and felt a sense of calm, prompting me to sit and admire the view. Ultimately, the primary reason I chose to depict this scene was to capture that memorable moment.
You Can Love Anyone – By Jenna.
This painting technique is from Alma Thomas, she uses dashes to make her paintings. This painting is about the LGBTQ+ community, I chose one of Heartstopper’s book covers from Alice Osman the creator of the books. This is one of my favorite book series. I chose it because people in the world discriminate against LGBTQ+ community, I just want to support it because I am part of it. It’s your choice on who to love, it doesn’t matter what gender you are. I love Heartstopper because it talks about LGBTQ+ community and what the meanings are. I like Heartstopper, because the art style and story behind it is beautiful.
XBOX Controller - By Henry.
I chose to paint an Xbox controller for a few reasons. One reason I chose an Xbox controller is that playing Xbox with my friends is one of my favorite things to do. I also play Xbox to relieve stress. My favorite video game to play is Rainbow Six Siege. Siege is fun because I can play with my friends and have a good time. These are the reasons why I chose an Xbox controller.
Sports – By Karsen.
I created this art piece because of my love for sports. Football is my favorite sport for many reasons. I love playing with my friends and teammates, and I have been playing since second grade, so I have been doing it for a long time. I also included a basketball because it is another one of my favorite sports. I like basketball because of the competition, but I also enjoy playing for my school and with my friends.
Farm Work - By Carson.
I prefer to focus my artwork on farming. You might ask why. I truly enjoy living on a farm and observing its scenery. My goal is to create artwork with an upbeat and joyous theme. I primarily use paint and ensure I incorporate bright, vibrant colors to evoke that positive feeling in viewers. My experiences living and working on a farm have significantly influenced my art. I deeply enjoy this lifestyle and hope to continue it in the future.
Eiffel Tower – By Easton.
I created this depiction of the Eiffel Tower because I was drawn to its illuminated appearance and the promise of its unique Parisian view. When I grow up, I hope to visit Paris and see the Eiffel Tower in person. In addition to seeing the landmark, I would like to sample the diverse cuisine. I would also enjoy attending a sporting event, such as soccer or rugby, as these are popular in Paris. I incorporated Alma Thomas's technique to create the textured effect in my painting of the Eiffel Tower.
Sleep - By Jonathan.
My main theme is calmness and peace. I made a bed, because I love sleeping, and it’s where I calm down and feel peace.
For my work, I just sketched up a bed and painted small, single lines all around.
Sleeping is one of the things I like doing most, because it’s where I feel most peace and calm. My influence on making this project were just me thinking I had to do something that made me feel at peace. So I first thought of sleeping, and I just decided to draw a bed.
I am not really hoping to achieve anything with my art. I just art for fun really. I never expect anything out of my art. I have no goals either.
Sunset at the Stadium – By Lincoln.
There are many reasons why I painted this piece, inspired by Alma Thomas. I painted a football field with a sunset in the background. I chose the sunset with a football field because I enjoy working on the field and then looking up at the sky to see a beautiful sunset. I chose the football field because football is my favorite sport, and I love playing for my school. I also created this painting to reminisce about fall when I played football with my friends and brother. It was fun winning with all my teammates. That is why I chose my painting, “Sunset at the Stadium,” inspired by Alma Thomas.
Racing the Memories - By Tucker.
I am Tucker Smith and the art piece I am showing today is titled “Race cars”. This piece of art was inspired by the memories of watching the Cars movies as a kid. I can just remember watching the movies over and over again, sitting down in front of the giant TV with my brother in our playroom. Although I can’t remember any of the words that were said, I do remember talking to one another, predicting what will happen next to the characters next. In conclusion, my main reason for picking this topic was for the collection of memories that helped shape my childhood.
Football Fusion– By Jackson.
I decided to create a painting on a football field while using Alma Thomas’s technique. There are a couple reasons why I did my painting about football. One reason why I did my painting about football is because the super bowl just happened. Another reasons I did it is because I like football. Football is a good sport just I am not the best at it. I like playing football with my friends, but I do not like playing football at my school. These are just a couple reasons why I did my painting about football.
Rose - By Harper.
Alma Thomas is one of my inspirations for my art peace. Why I choose to do a rose because my middle name is Rose. Also, I think that roses are really pretty and smell really good. Alma loves to paint nature that is also why I choose to do a rose.