Zoe Beiler originals make new home

The permanent collection of Ida Zoe Beiler has made a new home at the newly constructed Alumni/Foundation House on the Dickinson State University campus. The collection of 22 originals is accenting the time painted walls. The originals vary from portraits to landscapes to flowers.

Ida Zoe Beiler, born near Lima, Ohio, on Nov. 30, 1884, influenced the lives of hundreds of students during her tenure as director of the Art Department. She came to the college in 1931, shortly after graduating with honors from the Art Institute of Chicago. It was there that she was awarded the Tuesday Art and Travel Club Scholarship and became a teacher in the Saturday Junior Department.

After she joined the DSTC faculty, Beiler continued her own work while teaching classes and organizing the Art Club. She became known throughout the state as a lecturer and through her extensive exhibition of her paintings.

In 1938, she captured all of the prizes in oils at the Spring Art Competition in Fargo, N.D. Two years later, her oil painting, "Cowboy," was chosen to represent the state in the World's Fair All State Exhibition in San Francisco sponsored by the International Business Machines Corporation. Another of Beiler's paintings, "Cattle Guard," was purchased by the Women's Clubs of the state to hang in the North Dakota Capitol. She exhibited three paintings at the National Exhibition of Art in New York City.

Beiler returned to Chicago in 1945 to complete her work toward a master's degree in fine arts. She studied at both the University of Chicago and the Art Institute before returning to the Dickinson campus. In 1949, she received the Citation Award and her name was placed on the Honor Roll of the American Artists Professional League. In 1950, she was named “Artist of the Year” and was flown to New York to receive this prestigious award.

Beiler retired from teaching in 1953 and moved to Florida where she continued painting for the Hartman Galleries. She passed away May 8, 1969, in Lima, Ohio.

The Dickinson State University permanent collection of Beiler’s works illustrates the variety of her subject matter and style. It is dedicated to her memory by the Dickinson State University Alumni Association. You are encouraged to stop by the Alumni/Foundation House, 230 Eighth Ave. West, between 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. weekdays to view this unique collection.

In order to continue to preserve Beiler’s legacy at Dickinson State, The Alumni Association is seeking additional donations of her paintings as over the years several pieces were donated to local and state agencies, and to individuals and corporations. If you would like to donate a Zoe Beiler original, please contact Kevin Thompson, director of Development and Alumni Relations, at (701) 483-2004, in order for the University to complete its collection.

5/16/2005 8:40:52 AM