Bernice Sims (1926 - )

Bernice Sim's  "Pettis Bridge" has been chosen by the United States Postal Service to be one of ten stamps in the   "To Form A More Perfect Union" commemorative stamp program. This commemorative series celebrates the struggle for civil rights by African-Americans. The Postal Service could not have chosen a better representative than Ms Sims, as she has always been active registering African-Americans to vote.  Ms Sims, a native of Georgiana in South Alabama, was deeply involved in the struggle for civil rights in the 1950s and 1960s. Her art often (but certainly not always)  depicts moments in this struggle. From her vivid depictions of the demonstrations in Birmingham in 1963, to the KKK chasing her on her way home from the polls, to the "Pettis Bridge", where the Selma to Montgomery march began, Bernice captures the essence of the times with her stark, colorful images. The  "To Form A More Perfect Union" series went on sale August 30th, 2005

Pieces for sale by Bernice Sims

Bernice Sims was born in 1926 in Georgiana, Alabama. She started painting after a visit to Mose Tolliver's house. Since 1984, when she returned from her trip to Mose's house, Bernice has become known for her brightly colored oil and acrylic paintings and the important stories they tell. Bernice says that she doesn't work with oil anymore because it makes her ill.

Churches are a backdrop in many of her works, baptisms, weddings, Easter egg hunts and Sunday school picnics are favorite themes. She also depicts the daily routine of   southern life such as spring cleaning, fishing, hog killings, syrup making, and cotton picking.  But work is not her only theme,  she often portrays playgrounds and scenes of children often show up in her work.

Bernice was inducted into the Black Heritage Hall of Fame in 1994 for her contributions to Black Culture. She is also an artist-in-residence at the New Orleans Museum of Art, a distinction she shares with Jimmie Lee Sudduth and Mose Tolliver.

Bernice has always been active in Alabama Politics. She has fought for African Americans at the polls in Alabama during the most difficult of times. She recalls times when she was turned away from the polls because she was black, given ridiculously long and difficult forms to fill out before she could vote, forced to pay a poll tax, and she was even chased by the Klu Klux Klan on more than one occasion. She still continues to work the polls on election days. 

Bernice may not work at the polls very much longer as she has difficulty getting around. She uses an electric wheelchair and she has a van equipped with a wheelchair lift, but it is increasingly taxing on Bernice to sit at the polls from 7am to 7pm.

Bernice Arrives	With baby	Selling out !!!
There they Go !!!	Shooting the Breeze

 Pieces for sale by Bernice Sims

Bernice's work is on display at many House Of Blues venues across the USA