Alma Thomas

Alma Thomas, born in Columbus, Georgia, in 1891, was a trailblazer, though she took her sweet time getting there. After graduating from Howard University in 1924, she spent over three decades as an art teacher in Washington D.C. — presumably molding young minds while secretly longing for her own canvases. It wasn't until she retired in the mid-1960s that she truly committed to painting, proving that sometimes, the best careers begin after the traditional ones end.

Her work, characterized by vibrant, rhythmic patterns and bold applications of color, was a refreshing break from the prevailing cynicism of some of her contemporaries. While others were busy being angsty, Thomas was painting joyful, cosmic visions inspired by nature and space. She was, in essence, the anti-angst artist, proving that good art doesn't always have to wallow in despair.

Despite her relatively late start, Thomas quickly gained national recognition, including a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art when she was 80. This makes her not just an artist, but a beacon of hope for anyone who’s ever thought, "Maybe I'll get around to my dreams after retirement." She certainly earned her stripes, and then some, becoming a significant voice in American art.