BELFAST – James Smith Pierce, 80, passed away peacefully May 13, 2010, in Belfast. He was born April 26, 1930, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Edward Lloyd and Florence May (Young) Pierce. From 1959 to 1969 he taught art and architectural history at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, where he was associate professor and acting chairman of the Art Department. He was chairman of the Art Department at the University of Kentucky from 1969 to 1973 and continued to serve as professor of art until retiring in 1989 as professor emeritus. While semi-retired in Camden, he was visiting professor of art at Colby College, Waterville, from 1990 to 1991, and artist-in-residence at the University of Southern Maine, Gorham, in 1993. In addition to his contributions to the history of art, Pierce was an early contributor to the Land Art movement during the 1970s and 1980s. He exhibited widely throughout Maine, the U.S. and Europe. He is survived by his wife, Carol Smyers of Belfast; his children, Christopher Dion Pierce of Lexington, Ky., and David Elliott Pierce of Royal Oak, Mich.; a brother, Franklin Wadsworth Pierce of Scottsdale, Ariz.; grandchildren, Samuel Elliot Pierce and Giulia Isabella Pierce; a niece and nephews. Funeral services will be held 9 a.m. Monday, May 17, at Maine Veterans Cemetery, where he will be buried with military honors. Arrangements under the care of Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast.
JAMES SMITH PIERCE
