Arthur J. Pierce

Arthur James Pierce, 95, of Kearney, died peacefully at his home on Monday, June 20, 2011. A gathering of friends will be Thursday, June 23, 2011 from 7:30 ? 9:30 p.m. at Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon, NE. The family requests that attendees dress casually and bring a piece of Arthur?s calligraphy with them, if available, for display.No flowers.There will be no visitation.Burial will be at a later date at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell.Memorials are suggested to the Roe Sanctuary.A message of condolence, tribute or memory may be left at www.hlmkfuneral.comHorner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is in charge of arrangements. Arthur was born August 2, 1915 in Custer County, Nebraska to Asahel Lincoln and Ethel May (Cole) Pierce. He was a young child when the couple settled a land claim in Lincoln County where he and his older sister, Alice Ethel, spent a few years living in a sod house. Later, his foster brothers, Ellsworth and Everett Browning, came to live with them when they moved to the Browning house located in the middle of the adjoining section. Arthur joined the Army and served his country during World War II.He then married Hazel Mae (Beasley) Pierce in Witt, Illinois, on October 4, 1947, and the couple settled in various communities in Nebraska before settling in Holdrege, Nebraska where Arthur started the Pierce Sign Company. They eventually moved both company and family permanently to Kearney in 1967. He retired from the sign trade around 1981. Arthur attended Kearney State College, Curtis Agricultural College, the Art Institute of Chicago, Northwestern University and participated in several calligraphy workshops in London, England, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota and Illinois. He was an Artist In Residence for the Nebraska Arts Council, conducting countless workshops for children and adults over the years of his retirement. He was awarded honors for his calligraphy and civic contributions, most notably Nebraska Artist of Year in 2009, National Audubon Society William Dutcher Award in 1997, and the Kearney Freedom Award in 2000. Arthur was honored by one man shows at the Sheldon Art Gallery, the Norfolk Arts Center, the Nebraska Governor?s Mansion, the Clark Library in Omaha, Wrightstone Gallery in McCook, Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney, the Dawson County Museum and the L. Shaw Gallery in Kearney. After Arthur?s retirement, he became best known for his calligraphic letterforms beautiful writing and no one can explain better why the pursuit was important to him, and ultimately, to us, than Arthur himself in his own words: ?The study and pursuit of the craft and art of calligraphy may be seen as an exercise in literacy as well as an increased appreciation of the calligraphic letterforms themselves. It seems important to me to strive, in doing a piece of work, to place my own interpretation on a writer?s words, and at the same time avoid distorting the writers? message perhaps as a musician interprets the work of a composer.I always hope that my visual presentation of a poem or quotation may encourage people to absorb the message, who might not otherwise have done so.In that vein I quote, roughly, from two British scribes, under whom I took workshops: ?Make the letters be what they say.? ?Ann Heckle ? and ?You make an artistic statement by what you choose to copy.? ? Donald Jackson, Scribe to Queen Elizabeth II.These two admonitions have influenced my decision making for years.I also find it stimulating to work with young people and children in schools.Many of them seem naturally drawn to the forms of good letters; it is a hope of mine that in a small way I may engender some enthusiasm for the written or printed word, and thus make a very modest contribution to the sustenance of one facet of our civilized society: the enjoyment of good writing, good books and good art.? ? Arthur Pierce Surviving Relatives: Son: : Stephen C. and Angela M. Pierce, of Lincoln, NE Daughters Anne M. McCollister, of Lincoln, NE Martha B. Pierce, of Kearney Grandchildren: Kathleen P. Pierce, Jennifer L. Pierce, Alex A. McCollister, Megan M. McCollister Brother Everett and Laurel Browning, of Peru, NE Sister In Law: Helen Browning, of Grand Island, NE Nieces and Nephews Jeanne Salermo, Charles Garner, Brian Browning, Eugene Browning, Stanley Browning, Ann Browning, Barbara Browning Arthur was preceded in death by his Parents, Wife, Hazel; Sister, Alice E. Garner and Brother, Ellsworth Browning PDF Printable Version

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Arthur J. Pierce

August 2, 1915 - June 20, 2011