Representative women of New England/Agnes B. Day
AGNES BEARCE DAY, whose maiden name was Agnes Bearce, was born in Calais, Me., September 21, 1867. Her parents were Byron A. Bearce and Ella F. McDougall Bearce, the latter belonging to one of the best known Scottish families of the Province of New Brunswick, and directly descended from the famous clan McDougall of Scotland. Agnes Bearce in her girlhood attended the public schools of Lewiston, and was graduated from the high school in 1883. She was married in Boston, September 12, 1903, to Holman F. Day, of Auburn, Me.
Mrs. Day's artistic impulses came to her early in life. She was first drawn to china decorating, and displayed so much talent that after a course of study with local teachers she went to New York and pursued her calling in some of the best keramic studios. While there her work shown at the Waldorf-Astoria exhibit attracted much favorable notice. She has also studied with well-known Boston artists, and is recognized in the leading art circles of that city.
She began teaching in Lewiston in 1896, and has had classes most of the time since then. She has given annual exhibits of her productions. The work she has done in water-colors and oils during the past few years has received fitting and extremely favorable notice in high quarters. Her keramic achievements have been especially gratifying to her friends. Two years ago the managers of Poland Spring Hotel solicited and placed a case of her work on exhibition for the summer in their widely known art gallery, to which only artists of recognized talent are admitted. Her designs have been [printed in some of the leading art publications of the country.
For five years she has held the position of superintendent of the Maine State Art Exhibit, and for the past four years (1899-1902) has had entire charge of their annual exhibit at Lewiston. Her duties comprise the collection of the pictures and china and all the details of arrangement, and it is pleasing to note that the art exhibit has grown steadily under her management.
She is a member of the Murray Club of Lewiston, and has been a member of the New York Society of Keramic Arts since 1899. In her religious faith she is a Universalist. Her home is on Court Street, Auburn, Me.