Enid Bell
1904-1994

(Enid Diack (Palanchian) Bell)

Enid Bell was born in London on December 5, 1904. She worked as a sculptor, author, illustrator and professor, and was primarily active in the New York/New Jersey area.

She studied at the Glasgow School of Art from 1920-1921, the St. John’s Wood school of Art in London from 1921-1922, and was the private pupil of Sir W. Reid Dick in London during those years as well. She continued her studies in New York at the Art Students League.

She was a member of the New York Society of Craftsmen, Associated Artists of New Jersey and the National Sculpture Society. She exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the National Academy of Design. In addition, she had a solo exhibition at the Ferargil Gallery. She received a Gold Medal at the Paris International Exposition in 1937, as well as multiple awards in the US.

Bell frequently created works on commission. She designed the Congressional Gold Medal that was awarded to pilot and explorer, Lincoln Ellsworth, in 1931. She also created the sketch of Joe T. Robinson that was used on a centennial half-dollar in 1936. Numerous other pieces of Bell's work are on display throughout the United States in colleges, libraries, colleges, cultural institutions, post offices, and hospitals.

Before her beginning her post as a professor of sculpture at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts, Bell served as the Sculpture Supervisor for the Federal Arts Project, which was funded by the W.P.A.

Enid Bell died in 1994 in Englewood, New Jersey.