Skip to main content

Richard Kidwell Miller, Artist, Papers and Artwork

 Collection
Collection Number: A&M 3982

Scope and Contents

Artwork and Papers of Richard Kidwell Miller (1930-2012), a Fairmont-born artist, teacher, singer, and actor. Includes paintings (3 items), biographical material, correspondence, programs and catalogs for exhibits, newspaper and magazine clippings, photographs, reproductions of artwork, and other material.

This collection is organized into nine series:

Series 1. Paintings; 1969-1999; unboxed

Series 2. Biographical Material; 1990-2012, undated; box 1, folders 1-4

Series 3. Correspondence; 1947-2003, undated; box 1, folders 5-6

Series 4. Art Exhibits; 1947-2001; box 1, folder 7

Series 5. Publications; 2005; box 1, folder 8

Series 6. Newspaper Clippings; 1947-1990, undated; box 1, folders 9-11

Series 7. Photographs; ca. 1947-1982, undated; box 1, folders 12-13

Series 8. Artwork Reproductions; 1939-2002, undated; box 1, folders 14-16

Series 9. Theater and Music Programs; 1949-1961; box 1, folder 17

Series 1. Paintings; 1969-1999; unboxed. Contains three oil paintings by Miller.

Series 2. Biographical Material; 1990-2012, undated; box 1, folders 1-4. Contains material written by Miller, including a brief autobiography, resumes, and reminiscences, as well as material written by others about Miller, including articles copied from books and other sources. Also contains a card from his funeral.

Series 3. Correspondence; 1947-2003, undated; box 1, folders 5-6. Contains letters to Miller regarding his early artwork and other subjects and letters from Miller to John Cuthbert regarding an exhibit and catalog of artwork.

Series 4. Art Exhibits; 1947-2001; box 1, folder 7. Contains material regarding Miller's art exhibits, including an advertisement, a program, a poster, and a catalog.

Series 5. Publications; 2005; box 1, folder 8. Contains a book regarding Miller written by a Russian author.

Series 6. Newspaper Clippings; 1947-1990, undated; box 1, folders 9-11. Contains newspaper and magazine articles regarding Miller and his artwork.

Series 7. Photographs; ca. 1947-1982, undated; box 1, folders 12-13. Contains photographs of Miller, including photographs of Miller with his artwork.

Series 8. Artwork Reproductions; 1939-2002, undated; box 1, folders 14-16. Contains reproductions (photographs, prints, slides, digital copies, etc.) of artworks by Miller. Some of the reproductions include labels and other information recorded on the reverse by Miller.

Series 9. Theater and Music Programs; 1949-1961; box 1, folder 17. Contains programs for three musical theater productions and one church service in which Miller performed.

See also the book "Richard Kidwell Miller" by John Cuthbert, regarding the artist and the 2004 exhibit of Miller's work at West Virginia University.

Dates

  • Creation: 1939-2012, undated

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

No special access restriction applies.

Researchers may access born digital materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Biographical / Historical

Richard Kidwell Miller was born on 15 March 1930 in Fairmont, West Virginia. Miller demonstrated a talent for painting from a very early age. He received art instruction both in and out of school, including taking classes at the Works Progress Administration art center in Fairmont. When Miller was eleven years old, he had a painting included in an exhibit of children's art at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Miller's family moved to Washington, DC in 1943. After graduating from high school, he studied art at the Pennsylvania Academy for the Fine Arts, then at American University. Miller was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to travel to Paris, France and further his art studies. Upon returning to the United States, he began to teach art and also pursued a Master of Fine Arts at Columbia University. Miller had a prestigious career painting, teaching, and exhibiting; he was also a professional singer and actor. He married Theresa Robinson in 1957. Miller died in New York on 29 August 2012.

A more detailed biography as well as copies of Miller's resume can be found in Series 2 of this collection.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet (Summary: 5 in. (1 document case, 5 in.; 3 unboxed paintings))

0.02 Gigabytes (27 .jpg files)

Overview

Artwork and Papers of Richard Kidwell Miller (1930-2012), a Fairmont-born artist, teacher, singer, and actor. Includes paintings (3 items), biographical material, correspondence, programs and catalogs for exhibits, newspaper and magazine clippings, photographs, reproductions of artwork, and other material. Please see "Scope and Content Note" and "Historical Note" for further information.

Physical Location

West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/

Title
Richard Kidwell Miller, Artist, Papers and Artwork, 1939-2012, undated
Author
Staff of the West Virginia & Regional History Center
Date
2014/01/24
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the West Virginia and Regional History Center Repository

Contact:
1549 University Ave.
P.O. Box 6069
Morgantown WV 26506-6069 US
304-293-3536