Constance Abernathy facts for kids

Constance Abernathy was an American architect and jewelry designer. She was born Constance Davies on June 20, 1931, and passed away on June 18, 1994. She is remembered for her work with the famous inventor Buckminster Fuller and for her unique jewelry creations.

Architecture: Designing Unique Buildings

Constance Abernathy worked closely with Buckminster Fuller, a well-known American inventor and architect. She helped him study and develop a special type of building called the "geodesic dome." These domes are strong, lightweight structures that look like a part of a sphere.

Abernathy also served as Fuller's secretary. She helped organize his important files and records. From 1966 to 1971, she was in charge of Fuller's office in New York City.

Jewelry: Creating Wearable Art

In 1977, Constance Abernathy started a new career as a jewelry designer. She lived in New York City and became friends with many famous artists. These friends included painters and sculptors like Larry Rivers, Peter Reginato, Peter Young, Ching Ho Cheng, Ronnie Landfield, and Dan Christensen. Ching Ho Cheng even painted her portrait in 1977.

In the 1980s, her jewelry designs became even more special. She began to use precious gems and cast metal parts that she made herself. Her large bead necklaces were very popular and collected by many people, including Clarice Cosby. Today, her jewelry is part of the collections at important museums like the Cooper Hewitt and the Museum of Art and Design.

Personal Life: A Journey of Creativity

Constance Abernathy was born in Detroit, Michigan. She went to Cass Technical High School and then studied architecture at the University of Michigan. She graduated in 1953.

In the 1950s, she married J. T. Abernathy, who was a potter and an art professor at the University of Michigan. Their marriage was not long. Soon after, she moved from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Paris, France, in the 1960s. She worked as an architect across Europe and later married a filmmaker.

In the early 1990s, Constance Abernathy became ill. She passed away in 1994, just two days before her 63rd birthday. She died at her home in Chelsea, New York City.

Archive

• Abernathy's papers are available at the Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan

See also

In Spanish: Constance Abernathy para niños