Alma Thomas String Doll

• Product type: String Doll
• Shipping Weight: 0.19 lb (3.0 oz; 85 g)
• SKU010004854 | UPC: 748252690128

Alma Woodsey Thomas (American, 1891 - 1978) was an African-American artist and teacher who lived and worked in Washington, D.C., and is now recognized as a major American painter of the 20th century. Thomas is best known for the "exuberant", colorful, abstract paintings that she created after her retirement from a 35-year career teaching art at Washington's Shaw Junior High School.

Thomas, who is often considered a member of the Washington Color School of artists but alternatively classified by some as an Expressionist, earned her teaching degree from University of the District of Columbia (known as Miner Normal School at the time) and was the first graduate of Howard University's Art department, and maintained connections to that university through her life. She achieved success as an African-American female artist despite the segregation and prejudice of her time.

Thomas's reputation has continued to grow since her death. Her paintings are displayed in notable museums and collections, and they have been the subject of several books and solo museum exhibitions. She was the subject of the Chrysler-curated exhibition, Alma W. Thomas: Everything Is Beautiful.

Kamibashi (paper bridge in Japanese) is the happy result of an English teaching career in Japan that put owners Kristen and Chris Daniels in direct contact with talented young Asian artists. Relocating back to the United States in 2003, the pair founded Kamibashi string dolls.

String doll artists are based in small villages in the mountains outside of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Crafting String Dolls is the main occupation for most of the artisans, which means a reliable income and improved living standards for their families and communities in their economically developing regions. When they are not making string dolls, many of the workers spend time taking care of their families and tending to their vegetable gardens for self-sufficiency. Some have other jobs such as sewing or working in shops and restaurants. 

Fair Trade

Kamibashi has always practiced Fair Trade principles, which include working with artisans in developing countries (Thailand in this case,) and paying fair prices for their work. Kamibashi has been a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation since April 2012.

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