Alma Thomas, Resurrection, 1966, Acrylic and graphite, 36 x 36 3/16 in., White House Collection/White House Historical Association
Witness to the broad sweep of 20th-century history, from the horse and buggy days through the space age, artist and educator Alma Thomas remained a believer in the infinite possibilities of human progress. Her story reflects the struggles and dreams, perseverance and innovation that make up the rich complexity of the American experience. A long-time Washington, D.C. resident and member of the Washington Color School, who only came to full-time painting late in life, Thomas is best known for her luminous, color-block compositions configured in irregular grids and concentric circles. This acrylic and graphite painting, entitled Resurrection, was unveiled as part of the White House Collection during Black History Month 2015 and is the first in this collection by an African-American woman.