Creator Record
Metadata
Name |
Calvin Nicely |
Nationality |
American |
Occupation |
Calvin Nicely is an African American glass artist whose inspiration comes in various ways, sometimes in a dream, often a vision; and sometimes inspired by the spirit of loved ones who have passed on. Calvin resides and works in studios in Tennessee and Western North Carolina. He is a veteran of the Air Force and U.S. Navy, and began working with hot glass in 1994. Calvin was selected in 1998 to design and create the "Tennessee Governor's Awards in the Arts" presented by the honorable Don Sunquist, Governor of the State of Tennessee. His work is in many private and public collections, including the Sammie L. Nicely Collection at the Reece Museum. Calvin's work has been shown at various venues through the country including Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, and others, and he is proud that he has been able to use his art work to help support non-profit organizations through donations, auctions, etc. |
Notes |
Work was exhibited in the "Visions of My People: African American Art in Tennessee" exhibition. |
Relationships |
Calvin is the nephew of Sammie L. Nicely. Calvin is the son of James Nicely, Jr., one of Morristown, Tennessee's first African American over-the-road truck drivers. Calvin is the son of Dorris Chapman Nicely, one of Morristown, Tennessee's first African American beauticians. |
Role |
Artist |
Titles & Honors |
Calvin was an oil field laborer and painter in the aircraft industry. Calvin worked as an airport limousine driver while living in Knoxville, Tennessee. U.S. Air Force Veteran Selected to design and create "The Governor's Awards in the Arts" in 1998 |
Education |
Learned technique from Jolley and Tommie Rush. Graduated from Morristown West High School 1974. |
Related Records
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2001.009.004 - Sculpture
"Fantasy Sculpture" comprises four seemingly connected glass forms stacked upon one another. The sculpture is organic in form and with an earth toned palette. The base of the sculpture is scalloped frosted glass. On top of the base, an elongated egg-shaped piece of glass sits. It is clear but partially filled with an opaque dark red round form. Above this, an opaque matte yellow disk seems to bisects the sculpture. Finally, a red form similar to ...
Record Type: Object
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2015.006.016 - Sculpture
This blown glass abstract sculpture is in a vase-like form. The primary sculpture is a translucent yellow, with an additional strand of blue glass that curls and wraps around the sculpture 2-3 rounds. In the last image provided upon accession, this sculpture is intended to sit with the smaller portion (with signature) on bottom, so that the topmost portion is open and could potentially function like a vase. For stability purposes, this artifac...
Record Type: Object
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2021.005.022 - Sculpture
This piece is a blown glass sculpture depicting an abstracted face. The face, taking on a mask-like appearance, is reduced to simple shapes; its shape is oblong with a wider top that tappers down to a narrow chin; its eyes represented by depressed horizontal lines; its nose elongated; and its mouth oval. The face portion rests on stacked and rounded glass shapes. Its palette is a gradation of vibrant indigo to sky blue.
Record Type: Object
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2021.005.023 - Sculpture
This piece "soaking up the sun" is a blown glass sculpture depicting an abstracted face by Calvin Nicely. The face, taking on a mask-like appearance, is reduced to simple shapes; its shape is oblong; its eyes represented by depressed circles; its nose elongated; and its mouth oval. The face portion rests on a pillar with a brown tapered base with rings of golden glass. Its palette is various earth tones of rough unpolished blown glass.
Record Type: Object
