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Beverly McIver
McIver teaches a class at Duke, 2015
Born c. 1962
Nationality American
Alma mater Pennsylvania State University North Carolina Central University
Known for Painting
Awards Emerging Artist Grant Recipient, Durham Arts Council

Beverly McIver is a talented artist born around 1962. She grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. Beverly is famous for her amazing self-portraits. She also paints people she knows. Today, she teaches art at Duke University.

Early Life and Education

Beverly McIver was the youngest of three sisters. Her mother raised them alone. She worked hard as a maid to support the family. Beverly's older sister, Renee, needed a lot of care. This meant most of her mother's time went to Renee.

Discovering Art and Identity

Beverly's paintings are full of bright colors. They tell stories about her life. She often explores what it means to be an African-American woman. This is a big part of her art.

When Beverly was in high school, she joined a clown club. Her school had mostly white and wealthy students. Wearing clown makeup and a wig made her feel strong. She said that as a clown, people accepted her more. No one cared if she was Black or poor.

Becoming a Professional Artist

For a short time, Beverly thought about going to clown school. But she decided to follow her passion for art. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Painting and Drawing. She studied at North Carolina Central University.

Later, she earned her Master of Fine Art degree. This was from Pennsylvania State University. She also received an honorary doctorate from North Carolina Central University.

Art Career and Achievements

Beverly McIver's art often looks at who we are as people. Besides painting herself, she paints friends and family. She captures the everyday lives of those around her.

Major Awards and Recognition

Beverly has received many important awards. These include a Guggenheim Fellowship. She also won the Louis Comfort Tiffany Award. These awards show how much her art is valued.

In 2011, Art In America magazine named her one of the "top ten in painting." This was a big honor for her work.

Documentary and Exhibitions

A film about Beverly's life was made. It is called Raising Renee. This documentary was shown on HBO. It was even nominated for an Emmy Award. The film shares her personal story.

Her paintings are displayed in many museums. You can see her work at the Mint Museum of Art. It is also at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Other museums include the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Her art is also in the Weatherspoon Art Museum.

Teaching and Continued Success

Beverly McIver is currently a professor at Duke University. She teaches visual arts there. In 2017-2018, she won the Rome Prize in Visual Arts. This award is from the American Academy in Rome. It is a very special achievement for artists.

Awards and Grants

Beverly McIver has earned many grants and awards. These help artists create new work. In 2014, she was an Artist-in-Residence. This was at the McColl Center for Art + Innovation.

Her art has been reviewed in major publications. These include Art News and Art in America. The New York Times has also written about her work. She has received grants like the Anonymous Was A Woman Foundation grant. Other awards include a Radcliffe Fellowship from Harvard University. She also won a Creative Capital grant.

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