Bernice West Beyers papers, 1912-1987

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A Finding Aid to the Bernice West Beyers Papers, 1912-1987, in the Archives of American Art, by Jean Fitzgerald

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Table of Contents:

• Biographical Information
• Overview of the Collection
• How to Use the Collection
• Detailed Description and Container Inventory

Biographical Information

Berenice West Byers (1906-1987)worked as as sculptor in the New York and New England area. Later in life, she became a patron of the arts in Dallas, Texas.

Bernice Delemar West was born on April 26, 1906 in New York City, the daughter of Abigail Palmer and E. Lovette West, an engineer. In 1925 she graduated from the Bennett School in Millbrook, New York, where she took diplomas in both drama and fine arts. After a summer trip to Europe with classmates, she spent the next year studying drama with Winifred Lenihan at the Theatre Guild. In the summer of 1926, she did summer stock in Binghamton as a member of Actors Equity. In 1927 she began to pursue a career in sculpture and pottery.

She first worked in the studio of Lu Duble, her former teacher at the Bennett School. From 1927 to 1929, she also studied under Alexander Archipenko, Edmond R. Amateis, and Winold Reiss. In the fall of 1929, West began studies at the Art Students League under William Zorach.

Beginning in 1934, she exhibited primarily in New England and Florida. She was later influenced by the Haitian and Mayan art work she encountered while on a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1937-1938.

West was married in March 1940 to Robert Arthur Beyers, and their family moved permanently to Dallas, Texas, where they were primarily patrons of the arts.

Bernice West Beyers died in 1987.

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Overview of the Collection

Scope and Contents

The papers of sculptor Bernice West Beyers measure 1.7 linear feet and date from 1912-1987. Found within the papers are biographical material; letters that discuss sculpture commissions and exhibitions; scattered business and financial records; notes and writings; a sketchbook; printed material, including 3 scrapbooks of clippings; and photographs of Beyers and photograph albums of her art work.

Arrangement and Series Description

The collection is arranged as 7 series. All series are arranged chronologically. All oversized material has been housed in Box 3 (sol) and is referenced in the folder headings of the Series Description/Container Listing.

• Series 1: Biographical Material, 1923-1935, undated (Box 1; 2 folders)
• Series 2: Correspondence, 1928-1974, undated (Box 1; 16 folders)
• Series 3: Business Records, 1923-1960, undated (Box 1; 11 folders)
• Series 4: Notes and Writings, 1925-1967, undated (Box 1, 3; 10 folders)
• Series 5: Art Work, undated (Box 1; 2 folders)
• Series 6: Printed Material, 1912-1987, undated (Box 1, 3; 33 folders)
• Series 7: Photographs, 1937-1956, undated (Box 1, 2, 3; 29 folders)

Subjects and Names

Provenance

The Bernice West Beyers papers were donated in 1988 by Robert West Beyers, the artist's son.

How the Collection was Processed

The papers were processed in November 2005 by Jean Fitzgerald.

How to Use the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Use of original papers requires an appointment.

Ownership & Literary Rights

The Bernice West Beyers papers are owned by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Literary rights as possessed by the donor have been dedicated to public use for research, study, and scholarship. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.

How to Cite this Collection

Bernice West Beyers papers, 1912-1987. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

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Detailed Description and Container Inventory

Series 1: Biographical Material, 1923-1935, undated (Box 1; 2 folders)

Biographical material consists of report cards from the Bennett School of Liberal and Applied Arts, membership certificates including an Actors' Equity card, and an award certificate.

Series 2: Correspondence, 1928-1974, undated (Box 1; 16 folders)

Correspondence consists of letters exchanged between Beyers, members of her family, and colleagues. Many letters discuss commissions and exhibitions of her sculpture. There is one letter, 1951, signed by Alexander Archipenko.

Series 3: Business Records, 1923-1960, undated (Box 1; 11 folders)

Business records primarily consist of miscellaneous receipts, price lists, and patent records relating to Beyers' designs for an ashtray and for an automobile hood ornament.

Series 4: Notes and Writings, 1925-1967, undated (Box 1, 3; 10 folders)

Notes include a notebook listing information about miscellaneous art work, transcripts of radio interviews, and miscellaneous notes. Writings consist of miscellaneous typescripts written by Beyers.

Series 5: Art Work, undated (Box 1; 2 folders)

Art work consists of a sketchbook containing geometric designs, and an abstract pencil drawing.

Series 6: Printed Material, 1912-1987, undated (Box 1, 3; 33 folders)

Printed material consists of clippings, scrapbooks of clippings, exhibition announcements and catalogs, programs primarily from Beyers' plays and readings, brochures including one from the General Bronze Corporation, and miscellaneous printed material.

Series 7: Photographs, 1937-1956, undated (Box 1-3; 29 folders)

This series consists primarily of photographs of art works, both unbound and in albums. There are also photographs of Beyers and her exhibitions.