Michelles's of Delaware: Phoebe Beasley

Phoebe Beasley (1944 - )

Phoebe Beasley

When President Clinton presented the Ambassadors of the Diplomatic Corps with one of Phoebe’s monoprints entitled “Clinton Inaugural” in 1993, it was the second time she received the coveted Presidential Seal on her work. The first time was in 1989 when she was commissioned to do the “Official Artwork” for the Inauguration of President Bush, thus making her the only artist to twice receive the honor.
Phoebe has had numerous solo and group exhibitions in the United States and abroad, and was honored by the State Department for her participation in the Art in Embassies Program.

Working in the medium of collage for over thirty-five years, Phoebe has continued to develop her art form with projects that go beyond the confines of gallery exhibitions. Her public projects include a 25 ft. ABSOLUT Vodka billboard on Sunset Blvd. in which she teamed with Peter Carlson & Co. for fabrication, an anti-tobacco education project with the State of California and an outdoor mural in North Hollywood commissioned by the City of Los Angeles.

Recently, Phoebe was asked to write the Forward in a book representing over 150 commissioned artists and their work. The City of Los Angeles sponsored the Community of Angels Project bringing together artists to create works using eight foot plaster angel models. The companion book was also produced and sold in stores throughout the country. Whether it’s seeing Phoebe’s work in dozens of textbooks at all educational levels or Phoebe creating art for running shoes sold in upscale stores around the world, the goal is to explore various non-traditional venues.
The new century brought more “firsts” for Phoebe. She was named the “Official Artist” for.the Democratic National Convention/2000. While in the same year, Phoebe was selected “Artist for the Launch” of the AMISTAD Schooner in Mystic Seaport, Connecticut and later, “Official Artist” for the Los Angeles Marathon.

Beasley completed a collaboration with Dr. Maya Angelou in which she created several serigraphs from poems by Langston Hughes for a limited edition book. Dr. Angelou selected the poems and titled the masterful compilation, “Sunrise is Coming After While.” She then wrote the forwards on Hughes and Beasley.

Beasley’s artwork is in such prestigious public collections as the National Public Library, University of Texas, University of Illinois, Syracuse University, Brigham Young University, Fisk University, Kansas State University, Southern University, New York City Library, Cincinnati Public Library, California African American Museum, Swathmore College, Cooper Union, Schomburg Museum, Bowdoin College, Dillard University, City of Los Angeles, Savannah College of Art and Design and the Mystic Seaport Museum.

A few of her corporate collectors include: Hanes Hosiery, Arco Chemical, The Gillette Company, Colgate-Palmolive, Magic Johnson Enterprises, Atlanta Life Insurance, Absolut Vodka, Los Angeles Marathon, 100 Black Men of America, Inc., Denver Broncos Football Team, Johnson Publishing Company, Southern California Gas Company, Soft-Sheen Products and Broadway Federal Bank.

Some private collectors include: Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Maya Angelou, Roger Penske, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gordon Parks, Dr. M.J. Hewitt, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Howard Greenberg Gallery/New York, Byron Allen, Bill Russell, Clarence and Jacqueline Avant, Marla Gibbs, A. Barry Rand, Linda Johnson-Rice, Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, Rena Bransten Gallery/San Francisco, Dr. Lloyd and Sandra Baccus, Dr. William Burke and County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite-Burke, Stella Jones Gallery/New Orleans, George Fraser, Ken Lombard and Pat Harvey-Lombard, Grant Hill and Sam and Sylvia Schulman.

As a former high school art teacher from Cleveland, Ohio, but residing in Los Angeles for over thirty years, Phoebe continues to teach at colleges around the country through artist-in-residence programs. One teaching tool is Dr. Samella Lewis’ highly acclaimed book, Art: African-American. And, one of Phoebe’s artworks graces the cover, accompanied by a feature article.

Beasley’s artwork is currently part of two major exhibitions including a museum group show mounted by the Smithsonian Institution. The show entitled, “In the Spirit of Martin,” honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is scheduled to tour for three years.

Commissioner Beasley serves as immediate-past President and member of the Executive Board of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

Most recently, Phoebe has been selected to receive the 2003 Medal of Merit from her alma mater, Ohio University. She will be honored during Homecoming Weekend in October.

Other Community and Charitable Responsibilities include:
Board of Directors of the Story Project Foundation, an after school mentoring program founded by Dina Merrill and her husband, Ted Hartley, owners of RKO Pictures. The courses, led by entertainment professionals, are designed to teach inner-city students how to write, script, produce, film and edit their own stories.

Los Angeles Executive Advisory Board for the United Negro College Fund.

Friends of the Black Oscar Nominees / “Tree of Life” Annual Awards Dinner.

Board of the Prologue Society of Los Angeles sponsored by Northern Trust. Prologue members meet monthly for luncheons with noted book authors with part of the proceeds designated for college scholarships for deserving students.