beth edwards was born in alabama and lives and works in memphis. she received a bfa from the tyler school of art in philadelphia and an mfa from indiana university. edwards has had an active 30-year career painting, exhibiting, and teaching. she taught painting at the university of memphis for 21 years and is the recipient of many awards, grants, commissions, and residencies. recent awards and honors include the distinguished research award from the university of memphis; arts accelerator grant, artsmemphis; alumni association distinguished achievement in the creative arts award, university of memphis; emmett o’ryan award for artistic inspiration from artsmemphis and willow park mural, urbanart commission for the city of memphis. most recently she was awarded a tennessee arts commission individual artist fellowship.

she has participated in solo and group exhibitions in galleries, museums, institutions and organizations across the united states, including the huntsville museum of art in huntsville, al; the dixon gallery and gardens in memphis; the contemporary art workshop in chicago, il; springfield museum of art in springfield, oh; arkansas museum of fine arts in little rock, ar; delta state university in cleveland, ms; and the san francisco international fine arts exposition.