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| Bernice Sims was born in Georgiana, Alabama on December 25, 1926. She was the eldest of ten children and while still a very young girl moved to Hickory Hill in order to live with her grand parents. One of the white, spinster sisters who lived next door was an artist and recognizing Bernice’s talent, gave her some informal instruction. Poor but determined and in love with art the young girl used crayons and paper to capture the animals around her and her favorite subject - houses. She dropped out of school in the ninth grade to marry, moved to Brewton and raised 6 children. When her oldest child was in high school she divorced her husband. When her children were grown she went back to school and secured her GED. Later she earned an associates degree from a community college and began once again to paint. Much of her work, executed in a bright pallet of oils or acrylics, has focused on black history and the struggle for civil rights. She also depicts stories of everyday black southern life. Recent bouts with severe arthritis have not slowed her down. Bernice vows to keep on painting “as long as I’m able to use my hands, and see, and think, and get the inspiration to do it.” | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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