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Black history month craft

Black History Month Craft

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Black History craft pin

Black History Month Craft: Inspired by Alma Thomas

When it comes to celebrating Black History Month, there are countless meaningful ways to honor the achievements of the black community. One creative and engaging way is through art, specifically by exploring the colorful and captivating works of Alma Thomas.

This Black History Month craft combines art, history, and creativity, making it perfect for children and adults alike. Let’s dive into the inspiring life of Alma Thomas, her unique artistic style, and how you can recreate it in a fun and educational art project.

Who Was Alma Thomas?

Alma Thomas was a groundbreaking African American artist and educator whose vibrant abstract paintings earned her recognition as one of the leading artists of her time. Born in 1891 in Columbus, Georgia, she later moved to Washington, D.C., where she pursued her passion for art. After decades as an art teacher, Thomas focused on her own artistic journey, creating stunning pieces characterized by bold colors and mosaic-like patterns. In 1972, she became the first African American woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Her artwork—celebrating joy, nature, and community—offers an excellent starting point for a Black History Month craft that emphasizes creativity and cultural appreciation.

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Here are a few other fun activities that you can also check out:

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Introducing Alma Thomas to Your Students or Kids

Before diving into the craft, I highly recommend that you take some time to introduce Alma Thomas and her art. There are several ways to do this, ensuring a rich learning experience:

  1. Read the Picture Book, Ablaze with Color

Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas by Jeanne Walker Harvey is a beautiful picture book that vividly captures the artist’s life and legacy. This book is an excellent way to engage children with Thomas’s story, from her early days in Georgia to her groundbreaking achievements in the art world.

The narrative emphasizes Thomas’s love for color and the inspiration she drew from nature and her community. Readers will learn about her perseverance in the face of racial and gender barriers and her commitment to creating art that radiated joy and hope. The book’s illustrations, which mimic Thomas’s signature style, serve as a visual treat and is the perfect segue into this art project.

  1. Watch a YouTube Video

To complement the book, consider showing a YouTube video about Alma Thomas. This video offers a brief yet informative overview of her life and artistic style. Watching this video can help students visualize Thomas’s art and understand her creative process, making this Black History Month craft even more meaningful.

  1. Discuss Her Legacy

Engage students in a discussion about why Alma Thomas’s work is significant. Highlight her role as a trailblazer for African American women in the art world and how her pieces symbolize joy, resilience, and community. Connecting her story to broader themes of Black History adds depth to the activity.

After familiarizing your kids/students with the life and works of Alma Thomas, you can create a stunning art piece inspired by her unique style. This Black History Month Craft is simple, fun, and adaptable for all ages.

Black History Month Craft - Step by Step Tutorial

Appropriate for Children Ages 6 and up

Difficulty: Easy

Total Time: 60 minutes

Materials:

  1. White Cardstock (8.5X 11″)
  2. Any acrylic paint 
  3. At least 2 flat edge paint brushes (½” and ¼”) or any flat brushes that you have 
  4. Water container for washing your brushes
  5. A piece of paper towel for drying your brush
  6. Paint tray or paper plate for pouring the paint

Instructions:

Step 1 – Prepare your materials

  1. Below is a picture of the materials that I used to create this craft. 

Step 2 – Get your paint ready.

  1. I poured every color of the rainbow but I also poured white, so that I could create tints. I mixed white with a few colors to create a few lighter shades.

Step 3 – Start painting.

Dip your larger flat edge brush into a color of your choice and start making small marks

Tip: Don’t forget to wash your brush between colors.

Start Painting

Step 4 – Create a variety of lines.

You can turn your brush in different ways to create a variety of lines.

Turn your brush
Create thin lines

Step 5 – Continue painting.

Continue to add a variety of brush strokes to your painting.

Add more brush strokes
Add more brush strokes

To create the yellow dashes, I used my smaller brush. Alternate between brushes and turn your brush in different directions to create thick and thin lines.

Add more brush strokes
Paint different brush strokes
Paint different brush strokes
Paint different brush strokes

Step 6 – Fill your entire page.

Continue painting until your page is covered in painted lines.

Step 7 – Extend this activity (optional)

This Black History Month Craft offers opportunities for cross-curricular learning:

  • History: Discuss the social and historical context of Alma Thomas’s life, including the civil rights movement and her achievements as an African American woman in the arts.
  • Science: Explore the colors and patterns in nature that inspired Thomas, such as flowers, sunsets, and starry skies.
  • Writing: Have students write a short reflection about their artwork, explaining their theme and how they incorporated Thomas’s style.
Black History Month Craft 5

Why This Craft Matters

  • This Black History Month craft is more than just an art project; it’s a celebration of Alma Thomas’s contributions to the art world and her enduring legacy. By engaging in this activity, participants not only learn about a pioneering African American artist but also explore themes of creativity, resilience, and joy.

    Moreover, this craft is versatile and can be adapted for various occasions, such as Juneteenth or other holidays celebrating Black communities. It’s a wonderful way to honor Black History while fostering artistic expression and cultural appreciation.

Black History Month craft

Celebrate Creativity and Culture

This Alma Thomas-inspired Black History Month craft is a meaningful and enjoyable way to celebrate Black history and honor the achievements of African American artists. By combining art, history, and personal expression, this activity encourages participants to connect with Thomas’s legacy and find inspiration in her vibrant works. 

Black History Month Craft

If you create this craft with your kids or students, please let me know! I’d love to add your creations to our gallery, so upload your photos or send them directly to me at: [email protected] Thank you! 

You can also tag us if you post your masterpieces on Instagram or Facebook.

Black History Month Craft 6

Looking for even more cool activities? You might be interested in our Zentangle Pyramids Click here or the image below to learn more .

If you love to tangle as much as we do, you’re going to love our zentangle paper globes. Click HERE to check them out or click on the images below.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for more activities designed to encourage mindfulness and spark creativity, check out my printable resources below or visit my shop!

Don’t forget to download our free 15 page Mindfulness coloring book to help add a few mindful moments to your child’s day. Just click here or the image below!

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