Street Where Prominent Abstract Painter Alma Thomas Resided and Conducted Her Artistry Now Bears Her Name Due to Recognition
Washington, D.C.'s 15th Street NW has been rechristened as "Alma Thomas Way" to honor the renowned 20th-century abstract artist who resided and created her vibrant abstractions in a red brick home on the same block for more than seven decades.
On Monday, new street signs emblazoned with the artist's namesake were installed on the corners of 15th and Church streets and 15th and Q streets, marking the street's name change. The home at 1530 15th Street NW, owned by Alma Thomas and her family since 1907, served as both residence and studio for the artist until her passing at the age of 86. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places by her sister, J. Maurice Thomas.
In her illustrious career, Alma Thomas (1891-1978) was a trailblazer in the arts, being the first student to earn a fine arts degree from Howard University. She also founded the Barnett-Aden Gallery, one of the country's first black-owned art galleries. Thomas was an educator as well, teaching at Shaw Jr. High School for 35 years.
Her greatest artistic accomplishment consists of the vividly colored and patterned abstractions she painted late in her career, earning her accolades such as a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1972 and inclusion in the White House's permanent art collection.
D.C. Council member Christina Henderson, who introduced the street renaming bill, noted that the renaming aims to honor local heroes for future generations. The bill was proposals on May 24, 2024, unanimously approved by all 11 presiding council members, and signed into law by Mayor Muriel Bowser in October.
The street's renaming was celebrated in a ceremony attended by around 30 individuals, including Alma Thomas's grand nephew, Charles Thomas Lewis, and the founder of the Friends of Alma Thomas group, Susan Talley. The renaming of "Alma Thomas Way" comes as a small victory following recent efforts by Republican lawmakers to dismantle Black Lives Matter Plaza in the city.
The "Alma Thomas Way Designation Act of 2024" not only signifies the artist's local legacy but also invites future generations to learn about this remarkable individual who greatly contributed to the community and the world of art.
- The home at 1530 15th Street NW, a significant part of art history, served as both residence and studio for the renowned abstract artist Alma Thomas.
- Alma Thomas, an influential figure in the world of fine art, was the first student to earn a fine arts degree from Howard University and founded one of the country's first black-owned art galleries, the Barnett-Aden Gallery.
- Her late career works, vibrant abstractions, earned her recognition in the form of a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1972 and inclusion in the White House's permanent art collection.
- The museum and gallery lifestyle frequently found Alma Thomas's paintings in various exhibitions, adding to her acclaim in the art world and home-and-garden settings alike.
- The renaming of 15th Street NW as "Alma Thomas Way" is a testament to her local legacy and a call for future generations to learn about her significant contributions to art history and the community.
