remarkable women
2021 LONG TERM ART EDUCATION RESIDENCY

together, during the 2021 art residency "remarkable women" we will investigate the contributions of 39 women who have made an impact on american history and who have inspired generations to pursue their dreams.

Annie Easley & Alma Thomas     
it Is rocket science

annie easley
computer programmer, mathematician
​and rocket scientist

Annie Easley was born in Alabama in 1933 and raised by her single Mother, who encouraged her every step of her path. 

You may be familiar with the movie "Hidden Figures"; the women depicted the movie were math pioneers working for Langley Research Center in Virginia.  During that time period Cleveland's facility had its own "human computers".  Annie Easley was Cleveland's earliest "hidden figure" beginning her work at the Aircraft Engine Research Facility in 1955 calculating math simulations.

The video below shares an insight of the life and contributions of the remarkable Annie Easley.

Alma Thomas
​teacher and abstract painter

Alma Thomas was born in Georgia in 1891.  Her family moved to Washington D.C. in 1907; she lived in the house that her Father bought there her entire life.

In 1924, Alma was the first fine arts degree graduate from Howard University.  After 35 years as an art teacher she retired in 1960 and was determined to create a new body of work for her retrospective show at Howard University; this show's success launched her career as an abstract painter, at the age of sixty-one.
NOTE:  Alma Thomas is featured in the video clip at 2:16 - 3:22

art Inspired by rocket science
Materials:
colorful air dry clay                       
messy mats                         
​sticky collage boards                       
aprons for Peeps                     
tape guns for mounting artwork
mounting boards for display                   
hang tabs
​

EXTRA! extra!  explore more art by Alma thomas

Click HERE or on the image to the right to access and download the Alma Thomas coloring page provided by the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

A larger version of the painting Lunar Reflections-Circle of Flowers can be viewed by clicking HERE or on the image to the right. 

Artwork in the Smithsonian collection
click the button to the right to explore art created by Alma Thomas
EXTRA TIDBIT:  Video clip of review and appraisal of artwork by Alma Thomas. 
​View clip at 2:20 - 5:29