William Berry (artist)
Encyclopedia
William Augustus Berry was an artist and professor of art, known for his pencil
figure illustrations and still life
s. As an undergraduate, Berry was a student of Everett Spruce at the University of Texas at Austin
, earning his BFA
in 1955 and his MFA
from the University of Southern California
in 1957.. He returned as a professor to the University of Texas, subsequently moving to the University of Missouri
, where he eventually served as the chair of the art department. In 1989, he was the recipient of that university's William H. Byler Distinguished Professor Award for outstanding abilities, performance, and character, and in 1991-1992 he was awarded a Curators' Professorship, an annual award given to a Missouri faculty member who is "an outstanding scholar with an established reputation".
In 1989, the Camargo Foundation awarded Berry a fellowship to complete a series of large geometric still lifes. In 1999, Berry had artworks in four national juried competitions including one sponsored by the Fraser Gallery in Bethesda, Maryland
, and an exhibit of his works was held in that gallery in 2000. In 2002, he won the CPSA Award for Exceptional Merit and CIPPY Trophy from the Colored Pencil Society of America for his work Still Life With Option, a white-on-white still life scene of a creased piece of paper on a tablecloth-draped table. Berry's work has appeared in over 500 juried and solo exhibits.
Berry was the author of Drawing The Human Form: Methods, Sources, Concepts, a widely used textbook on figure illustration. Berry also worked as an illustrator for Newsweek
, The Reporter, Opera News, and Esquire
.
Pencil
A pencil is a writing implement or art medium usually constructed of a narrow, solid pigment core inside a protective casing. The case prevents the core from breaking, and also from marking the user’s hand during use....
figure illustrations and still life
Still life
A still life is a work of art depicting mostly inanimate subject matter, typically commonplace objects which may be either natural or man-made...
s. As an undergraduate, Berry was a student of Everett Spruce at the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
, earning his BFA
Bachelor of Fine Arts
In the United States and Canada, the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, usually abbreviated BFA, is the standard undergraduate degree for students seeking a professional education in the visual or performing arts. In some countries such a degree is called a Bachelor of Creative Arts or BCA...
in 1955 and his MFA
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
from the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
in 1957.. He returned as a professor to the University of Texas, subsequently moving to the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
, where he eventually served as the chair of the art department. In 1989, he was the recipient of that university's William H. Byler Distinguished Professor Award for outstanding abilities, performance, and character, and in 1991-1992 he was awarded a Curators' Professorship, an annual award given to a Missouri faculty member who is "an outstanding scholar with an established reputation".
In 1989, the Camargo Foundation awarded Berry a fellowship to complete a series of large geometric still lifes. In 1999, Berry had artworks in four national juried competitions including one sponsored by the Fraser Gallery in Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
, and an exhibit of his works was held in that gallery in 2000. In 2002, he won the CPSA Award for Exceptional Merit and CIPPY Trophy from the Colored Pencil Society of America for his work Still Life With Option, a white-on-white still life scene of a creased piece of paper on a tablecloth-draped table. Berry's work has appeared in over 500 juried and solo exhibits.
Berry was the author of Drawing The Human Form: Methods, Sources, Concepts, a widely used textbook on figure illustration. Berry also worked as an illustrator for Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
, The Reporter, Opera News, and Esquire
Esquire (magazine)
Esquire is a men's magazine, published in the U.S. by the Hearst Corporation. Founded in 1932, it flourished during the Great Depression under the guidance of founder and editor Arnold Gingrich.-History:...
.