Gerald Winter is the premier contemporary beadwork artist (1936-2023)

of our time. He attended art school at The University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin, and then

moved to Miami Florida in the 1960's where he was an art professor at the University of Miami until his retirement in 2002.

Here is a quotation from one of his former students and a colleague:

" It was his enthusiastic sense of wonder and deep curiosity that was infectious. He was not tied to any style or doctrine – instead, he had the very keenest eye that I have ever encountered for recognizing work that was thoughtful and accomplished. Jerry inspired my lifelong openness to be inquisitive about art and it has served me superbly not only in the visual arts but in the necessity for me to learn more about and appreciate artists working in all artistic disciplines. This became part of my professional mandate and joy during my tenure as Director of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs...." Michael Spring

"Gerald Winter was a lovely man and fascinating artist. I was so pleased to be able to show his work at the Main Library in the downtown Miami cultural center as one of the last exhibitions that I curated for the Miami-Dade Public Library System before I retired In 2005.

The beaded pieces were highly skilled, elaborate technical performances, with complicated, intricate subjects. His personal interpretation of the 11^th century Bayeux Tapestry is a perfect example of his unique vision and skill..."  Barbara Young