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Berry, Jean, 1938-

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1938-

Biography

Jeanette (Jean) Berry, artist, was born August 22, 1938, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and was raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She married early in life and had three children.

Berry began studying art as a teenager and took instruction in art at the Kansas City Art Institute. Berry then moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and received an Associate of Arts degree from Des Moines Area Community College in 1980. She trained with artists Chancey Rosenbaum and Brenda Jones.

The death of her youngest child, Toni, was a watershed for Berry, after which she threw [herself] into [her] art to fill the void. In spring 1987, she enrolled as a student of art at Drake University in Des Moines. There she completed a B.F.A. in May 1989. Berry' work was exhibited regionally and nationally after she received her degree and was included in a Smithsonian Institution exhibition. In 1989, she won the Fourth Annual King Celebration Art Award.

Berry works predominantly in charcoal and paper, focusing primarily on depicting African Americans.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Iowa Women Artists Oral History Project

 Collection
Identifier: IWA0628
Abstract

Oral histories and transcripts. Collection of 77 oral histories of Iowa women artists conducted by Jane Robinette in 1998-1999.

Dates: 1998-1999

Jean Berry papers

 Collection
Identifier: IWA0297
Abstract

Des Moines-based artist.

Dates: 1989-2000

Additional filters:

Subject
1981-1990 1
African American women 1
African American women -- Iowa 1
Archives (groupings) 1
Art 1