Vivian Beer

Vivian Beer
Born1977 (age 48–49)
Bar Harbor, Maine, U.S.
EducationMaine College of Art & Design,
Cranbrook Academy of Art (MFA)
OccupationDesigner
Known forFurniture design, sculpture
SpouseMariana Rosas Garcia

Vivian Beer (born 1977) is an American designer of metal furniture.[1][2][3] Her business is called Vivian Beer Studio Works, and is based in Pembroke, New Hampshire.[4]

Early life and education

Vivian Beer was born in 1977, in Bar Harbor, Maine.[5]

In 2000, Beer received a bachelor's degree in sculpture from the Maine College of Art & Design in Portland, Maine, graduating with honors. in 2004 she received a master's degree in metalsmithing from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

She is married to Mariana Rosas Garcia.[4]

Career

Beer's artwork is often a blend of automotive and other hardware, typically metal, to create unique pieces of furniture. Her studio uses many of the same tools an auto body shop would have to mend and paint cars.[6] Her designs involve many complex curves that are not easy to replicate using steel. She must hammer, bend, and then curve the material on an English wheel. Next, they are welded, sandblasted, and finally painted into the desired shapes - all by hand - by Beer.[7] Her projects often include abstract style benches, chairs, and other outdoor sculptures with sleek finishes. Her work is often a collaboration of the surrounding nature and culture of where it will be placed. The variety of designs, textures, patterns, and colors in her assortment of work express this goal.

Recognition

Beer was featured on Ellen’s Design Challenge, an American TV series and furniture design competition in 2016, and she won the challenge along with a cash prize.[8] She was featured on The Take magazine's cover in 2016 as “Manchester’s Sexy Industrialist” for her fine, yet functional art.[9]

She was awarded the John D. Mineck furniture fellowship granted her the opportunity to travel the country in an RV for inspiration. She had the experience working at the National Air and Space Museum researching American aeronautic design history in which she received the Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship for. Along with this, she was amongst the few artists to be awarded $50,000 from United States Artists. Beer was the recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award from Cranbrook Academy, which recognizes alumni who succeed early in their career.[10]

In 2026, Beer was named as a Fellow of the American Craft Council (ACC).[11]

Collections

Beer's work is in the permanent collections of:

References

  1. ↑ Hanus, Julie K. "Curves Ahead". American Craft Council. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  2. ↑ Clemence, Paul (November 18, 2020). "Vivian Beer: Powerful, playful work that defies expectations". The Design Edit. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  3. ↑ Racioppi, Michele (July 17, 2019). "Inspired by Midcentury: Vivian Beer". Docomomo-us.org. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  4. 1 2 Volpe, Christopher. "Studio Visit: Vivian Beer". Art New England. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  5. ↑ "Vivian Beer". Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  6. ↑ Laughlin, Susan (September 1, 2012). "Hot Forms Hot Colors: Vivian Beer". New Hampshire Magazine. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  7. ↑ "Studio Visit: Vivian Beer". ArtNewEngland. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  8. ↑ "Furniture maker Vivian Beer won the 2nd season of Ellen's Design Challenge". Woodworking Network. March 9, 2016. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  9. ↑ Arvanitis, John (2016-12-05). "Manchester's "Sexy Industrialist"". Take Magazine. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  10. ↑ "New Hampshire State Council on the Arts". www.nh.gov. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  11. ↑ "2026 ACC Awards Announcement". American Craft Council.
  12. ↑ ""Current" Chair, Vivian Beer; Vivian Beer Studio Works". Brooklyn Museum. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
  13. ↑ "Slither.walk.fly". Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
  14. ↑ "Currier Collections Online: "Anchored Candy no. 8" by Vivian Beer". Currier Museum of Art. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
  15. ↑ "Bench - Beer, Vivian". Metal Museum. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
  16. ↑ "Chair, Rocking - Beer, Vivian". Metal Museum. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
  17. ↑ "Anchored Candy No. 5". Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. 2019-03-22. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
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