A&M 3982Richard Kidwell Miller, Artist, Papers and Artwork, 1939-2012, undated A&M 3982Staff of the West Virginia & Regional History CenterWest Virginia and Regional History Center

2014/01/24

1549 University Ave. P.O. Box 6069 Morgantown, WV 26506-6069Business Number: 304-293-3536wvrhcref@westvirginia.libanswers.comURL:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-06-18 13:32:23 -0400.EnglishDescribing Archives: A Content Standard West Virginia and Regional History Center Richard Kidwell Miller, Artist, Papers and Artwork Miller, Richard Kidwell A&M 3982 Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key Previous Archival Resource Key /repositories/2/resources/3197 0.4 Linear Feet Summary: 5 in. (1 document case, 5 in.; 3 unboxed paintings) 0.02 Gigabytes 27 .jpg files 1939-2012, undated Artwork and Papers of Richard Kidwell Miller (1930-2012), a Fairmont-born artist, teacher, singer, and actor. Includes paintings (3 items), biographical material, correspondence, programs and catalogs for exhibits, newspaper and magazine clippings, photographs, reproductions of artwork, and other material. Please see "Scope and Content Note" and "Historical Note" for further information. West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: West Virginia & Regional History Center English Conditions Governing Access

No special access restriction applies.

Researchers may access born digital materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department.

 Biographical / Historical

Richard Kidwell Miller was born on 15 March 1930 in Fairmont, West Virginia. Miller demonstrated a talent for painting from a very early age. He received art instruction both in and out of school, including taking classes at the Works Progress Administration art center in Fairmont. When Miller was eleven years old, he had a painting included in an exhibit of children's art at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Miller's family moved to Washington, DC in 1943. After graduating from high school, he studied art at the Pennsylvania Academy for the Fine Arts, then at American University. Miller was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to travel to Paris, France and further his art studies. Upon returning to the United States, he began to teach art and also pursued a Master of Fine Arts at Columbia University. Miller had a prestigious career painting, teaching, and exhibiting; he was also a professional singer and actor. He married Theresa Robinson in 1957. Miller died in New York on 29 August 2012.

A more detailed biography as well as copies of Miller's resume can be found in Series 2 of this collection.

 Preferred Citation

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Richard Kidwell Miller, Artist, Papers and Artwork, A&M 3982, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

 Scope and Contents

Artwork and Papers of Richard Kidwell Miller (1930-2012), a Fairmont-born artist, teacher, singer, and actor. Includes paintings (3 items), biographical material, correspondence, programs and catalogs for exhibits, newspaper and magazine clippings, photographs, reproductions of artwork, and other material.

This collection is organized into nine series:

Series 1. Paintings; 1969-1999; unboxed

Series 2. Biographical Material; 1990-2012, undated; box 1, folders 1-4

Series 3. Correspondence; 1947-2003, undated; box 1, folders 5-6

Series 4. Art Exhibits; 1947-2001; box 1, folder 7

Series 5. Publications; 2005; box 1, folder 8

Series 6. Newspaper Clippings; 1947-1990, undated; box 1, folders 9-11

Series 7. Photographs; ca. 1947-1982, undated; box 1, folders 12-13

Series 8. Artwork Reproductions; 1939-2002, undated; box 1, folders 14-16

Series 9. Theater and Music Programs; 1949-1961; box 1, folder 17

Series 1. Paintings; 1969-1999; unboxed. Contains three oil paintings by Miller.

Series 2. Biographical Material; 1990-2012, undated; box 1, folders 1-4. Contains material written by Miller, including a brief autobiography, resumes, and reminiscences, as well as material written by others about Miller, including articles copied from books and other sources. Also contains a card from his funeral.

Series 3. Correspondence; 1947-2003, undated; box 1, folders 5-6. Contains letters to Miller regarding his early artwork and other subjects and letters from Miller to John Cuthbert regarding an exhibit and catalog of artwork.

Series 4. Art Exhibits; 1947-2001; box 1, folder 7. Contains material regarding Miller's art exhibits, including an advertisement, a program, a poster, and a catalog.

Series 5. Publications; 2005; box 1, folder 8. Contains a book regarding Miller written by a Russian author.

Series 6. Newspaper Clippings; 1947-1990, undated; box 1, folders 9-11. Contains newspaper and magazine articles regarding Miller and his artwork.

Series 7. Photographs; ca. 1947-1982, undated; box 1, folders 12-13. Contains photographs of Miller, including photographs of Miller with his artwork.

Series 8. Artwork Reproductions; 1939-2002, undated; box 1, folders 14-16. Contains reproductions (photographs, prints, slides, digital copies, etc.) of artworks by Miller. Some of the reproductions include labels and other information recorded on the reverse by Miller.

Series 9. Theater and Music Programs; 1949-1961; box 1, folder 17. Contains programs for three musical theater productions and one church service in which Miller performed.

See also the book "Richard Kidwell Miller" by John Cuthbert, regarding the artist and the 2004 exhibit of Miller's work at West Virginia University.

 Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

 Fairmont (W. Va.) Art and artists Miller, Richard Kidwell Series 1. PaintingsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1546861969-1999Collision Course, oil and wood on canvas, 26 in. x 26 1/2 in.Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1546951969English.unboxedGlass and Grape, oil and oil stick on canvas, 45 in. x 45 in.Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1546961986English.unboxedDouble Diamond, oil and oil stick collageArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1546971999English.unboxedSeries 2. Biographical MaterialArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1546871990-2012, undatedTwo copies of "Richard Miller--A Brief Biography"Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/154698undatedEnglish.11Various versions of Miller's resumeArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/154699ca. 1990-2000English.12Two autobiographical reminiscences written by MillerArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/154700undatedEnglish.13Photocopies of articles from books and other sources regarding Miller and a laminated card from Miller's funeralArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1547011990, 2012, undatedEnglish.14Series 3. CorrespondenceArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1546881947-2003, undatedCorrespondence to Miller regarding his participation in an art contest, including the ribbons awarded to him, his being awarded a scholarship, and his performance as a soloist at a church serviceArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1547021947English.15Correspondence from Miller to John Cuthbert regarding exhibit of Miller's work at West Virginia University and the exhibit catalogArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1547032001-2003, undatedEnglish.16Series 4. Art ExhibitsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1546891947-2001Advertisement, program, poster, and catalog for exhibits of Miller's workArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1547041947-200117Series 5. PublicationsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1546902005Book titled "Richard Miller" by Igor Koulikov, written in Russian and English, autographed by MillerArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/154705200518Series 6. Newspaper ClippingsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1546911947-1990, undatedNewspaper clippingsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1547061947, undatedEnglish.19Photocopies of newspaper and magazine articlesArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1547071960-1963, undatedEnglish.110Newspaper and magazine articlesArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1547081977-1990English.111Series 7. PhotographsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/154692ca. 1947-1982, undatedPhotographs of Miller as a teenager and of Miller and wife TeresaArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/154709ca. 1947-1955English.112Photographs of Miller, including portrait photographs and photographs of Miller with his artworkArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1547101982, undatedEnglish.113Series 8. Artwork ReproductionsArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1546931939-2002, undatedReproductions of artwork, including photographs, prints, and photocopiesArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1547111939-1981English.114Color slides of artworkArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1547121939-2002English.115CD containing digital photographs of artworkArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/154713undatedEnglish.116Conditions Governing Access

Researchers may access born digital materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department.

Series 9. Theater and Music ProgramsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1546941949-1961Programs for theater productions and other eventsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1547141949-1961117