On Saturday, Feb. 7, the Northwestern Bridge Center, with the help of the Sioux City Public Library, hosted an event celebrating the life and contributions of African American artist Alma Woodsey Thomas. The event welcomed students and community members alike for an afternoon dedicated to learning, creativity, and reflection. It was a time to learn about Thomas as an artist and pioneer, but it was also a time to step away from busy schedules and experience the joy of creating abstract art firsthand.
The event began with a short presentation introducing Alma Woodsey Thomas and her impact on the art world. Attendees learned about her journey as both an educator and an artist. Alma spent much of her life as a dedicated art teacher, inspiring generations of students in the classroom. Although she loved teaching, she did not begin pursuing art professionally until she was in her 70s. Her perseverance and commitment to her craft became an encouraging example for all.
Alma Woodsey Thomas excelled in her distinct abstract style and became best known for her vibrant, colorful paintings. Her works often featured bold colors arranged in rhythmic, mosaic-like patterns that seemed to move across the canvas. She drew inspiration from nature, space exploration, and her Christian faith. As a Christian artist, Thomas incorporated subtle references and sometimes less subtle references to biblical themes in some of her paintings, including imagery connected to the three wise men and the resurrection. These elements added deeper meaning to her abstract pieces and showed how faith can influence artistic expression in creative and unique ways.
Thomas achieved national recognition for her work and broke barriers in the art world. She became the first African American woman to have her artwork included in the White House’s permanent collection. This accomplishment marked a significant moment not only for her career but also for representation in the arts. Her legacy continues today as museums, galleries, and art historians continue to highlight her contributions and celebrate her achievements.
After learning about Thomas’s life and artistic style, attendees had the opportunity to create their own abstract paintings.
One student shared, “It was a fun time… I got to forget about what I needed to do for a little bit and got to paint my stress away.”
The event provided a space where students could relax and focus solely on creativity. Another student decided to paint someone they cared about by outlining a simple figure and surrounding it with colorful patterns, inspired by Thomas’s technique.
A different student chose to portray their emotions through color, explaining, “It was a great way to get what I was feeling off my chest. It was like I was able to talk to someone about it through my art and feel better. This was an eye-opening experience to how I could express myself and reduce my stress in the future.”
The Bridge Center and Sioux City Public Library organized the event not only to highlight the achievements of Alma Woodsey Thomas but also to provide a meaningful, hands-on experience for the community. By combining education with creativity, the event allowed participants to gain a greater appreciation for abstract art and for the barriers Thomas overcame in her lifetime. Those who attended left with their own paintings, a deeper understanding of an influential artist, and perhaps a new perspective on how art can be used as a form of expression and stress relief.
