Bernice Sims

Micki Beth Stiller with Bernice Sims

Bernice Sims (December 25, 1926 to October 23, 2014) was born and raised near Brewton, Alabama, and was active in the Civil Rights Movement. She marched in Selma and encouraged African-American voter registration. She making artwork in the 1980's after becoming disabled and subsequently taking painting classes. In 1984, she was introduced to Mose Tolliver and became inspired to follow her artistic vision. Her memory paintings recreate scenes from her childhood as well as images from the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama.

Not only have her paintings been on display at multiple museums, but her "Selma Bridge March" was featured as a United States Postage stamp.

"Obannon City Park" paint on canvas 20 x 24" exhibited in "A Brush with the Past: Memory Paintings of Bernice Sims" from May 4 - June 30, 2008, at National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture $1000

"Walking with the Cotton Wagon" paint on canvas 20 x 24" $800

"Logs Rolling on the Water" paint on canvas 16 x 20" $750

"Pickin' Cotton" paint on canvas 16 x 20" $750

"Pecan Picking" paint on canvas 20 x 24" $800

"Hog Killing with Lady in Red Dress" paint on canvas 16 x 20" $750

"Baptism Under the Bridge" paint on canvas 16 x 20" $750

"Saturday" paint on canvas 16 x 20" (framed: 20 x 24") $750

"Laundry" paint on canvas 16 x 20" $750

"Hog Killing with Cauldrons" paint on canvas 16 x 20" $750

"Jump Rope" paint on canvas 16 x 20" $750

"Loading the Cart" paint on canvas 16 x 20" $750

"Rainbow Tent Revival" paint on canvas 16 x 20" $800

"Wash Day" paint on canvas 16 x 20" $750

"Tire Swing" paint on canvas 20 x 24" $750

"Jake's Turpentine" paint on canvas 24 x 20" $950

"Orchard" paint on canvas 20 x 16" $850

"Amtrak" paint on canvas 12 x 16" exhibited in "A Brush with the Past: Memory Paintings of Bernice Sims" from May 4 - June 30, 2008, at National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture $800

"Red Tent Revival" paint on canvas 20 x 16" $750

"Time to Grind" paint on canvas 24 x 18" $800

"Watching Mama Wash Clothes" paint on canvas 24 x 18" $750

"Old Stockyard" paint on canvas 24 x 18" $750

"Joe's Bar" paint on canvas 24 x 18" $750

"Milling Logs" paint on canvas 24 x 36" $900

"Potato Picking" paint on canvas 16 x 20" exhibited in "A Brush with the Past: Memory Paintings of Bernice Sims" from May 4 - June 30, 2008, at National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture $900

"Greenville KKK" paint on canvas 16 x 20" $1250

"Interior" paint on canvas 20 x 16" $750

"Negro Baptism" paint on canvas 16 x 20" $750

"Down in the Quarter" paint on canvas 20 x 16" $750

"Brewton Jail" paint on canvas 16 x 20" early piece $1200

"Brush Hut Revival" paint on canvas 16 x 20" $900

"Cotton Barn" paint on board 17 x 16" $650

"At Home on the Farm" paint on canvas 20 x 16" $800

"Sims Sweet Potatoes" paint on canvas 16 x 20" $750

"Loggin'" paint on canvas 16 x 20" $750

"Reaping Under the Sun" paint on canvas 16 x 20" $700

"White Striped Tent Revival" paint on canvas 20 x 16" $750

"Let's Ride" paint on canvas 16 x 20" $750

"Brush Hut Revival" paint on canvas 16 x 20" exhibited in "A Brush with the Past: Memory Paintings of Bernice Sims" from May 4 - June 30, 2008, at National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture $1000