Minnie Evans By: Marissa Midgley

Biographical Facts Born on December 12, 1892 in Long Creek, North Carolina. Started drawing when she was 43 years. In the early 1960’s, Minnie asked her granddaughter to sign her pictures for her. As a kid, she regularly had visions and dreams that woke her in the middle of the night. She also heard voices. The voices continued and told her to either “draw or die.” And that’s when her career took off. She often gave her work to those who admired it. And later, sold them near the gatehouse at the gardens where she worked. She sold them for fifty cents each.

A Few Accomplishments (1) “Minnie Evans Day” is May 14, 1994 in Greenville, North Carolina.

A Few Accomplishments (2) In 1975, at the Whitney Museum, Evans was honored an exhibition of her work.

A Few Accomplishments (3) Minnie Evans first exhibitions were in the 1960’s. In 1961, an exhibition was placed in Wilmington, North Carolina. In 1966, New York opened an exhibition as well. These exhibitions inspired Minnie to enlarge her work on a bigger scale.

Motivations and Goals Minnie had regularly heard voices and horrible visions and dreams. Gylber Coker once said; “There were times when Evans could barely distinguish between dreams and visions, as well as between dreams and wakeful experience.” When she was 43, a voice told her to “draw of die”. She felt like she didn’t have much of a choice and on Good Friday 1935, she drew her first drawing. The very next day, she drew another. “I have no imagination. I never plan a drawing. They just happen.” –Minnie Evans

Influential Contemporary Nina Howell Starr worked with Minnie in 1962 until Nina was considered Minnie’s “De facto agent”. She often traveled to see Minnie and she showed her work in New York galleries. Starr once suggested that Minnie should go back and sign and date her older pictures. Minnie asked her granddaughter to help her. Some dates are slightly off because she couldn’t remember all the dates.

A Minnie Evan’s Video =nEAkHRQFdNc

Work Cited “Learn About the Artists.” March “Minnie Evans Tribute – Airlie Gardens “Green Day.” 01 March March “Fantasy Garden.” March 2011.