This Art and design video introduces the children to the life and work of American artist Alma Thomas. The children discover how she used bright colours, repeated shapes and patterns to create abstract paintings inspired by the natural world, exploring how her distinctive artistic style developed over time.

The video also highlights some of Alma Thomas’s significant achievements, including becoming the first Black woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City. Through her story, the children discover how creativity, determination and a love of learning can continue throughout life, encouraging them to explore their own artistic ideas and interests.

This video is part of Kapow Primary’s Art and design painting videos, which support teachers in developing confidence and subject knowledge as they help children explore creative techniques and express their ideas through art.

See more of our Year 1 Art and design scheme of work.

• Art and design, Year 1, Painting and mixed media: Learning about paint and brush control, Lesson 1: Paint and brush control.
• Art and design, Year 1, Painting and mixed media: Learning about paint and brush control.