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 began 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.

"Birmingham:Dogs" paint on canvas 20 x 30"; framed 23 x 33"

"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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Wash Day" paint on canvas 16 x 20"

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

"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