Dox Thrash (1893–1965) was a prominent African-American printmaker who lived in Philadelphia from the mid-1920s until his death. His home, a three-story Victorian located at 2340 Cecil B. More Avenue in Sharswood is a Philadelphia landmark but is currently in serious disrepair. The building has been vacant since the 1990s. Thrash studied at the Art Institute of Chicago after his service in World War I and then settled in Philadelphia where he was energized by the local Black artistic community. 

While working with the WPA’s Federal Art Project he collaborated with two other artists in developing a printmaking technique called the carborundum mezzotint process. He celebrated African-American life in his work depicting subjects in a realistic manner. He spent his last years mentoring young artists. There is an active campaign to save Thrash’s house. Click here for more information or to support the effort.