Betty G. Miller

Betty Gloria Miller (July 27, 1934 – December 3, 2012), also known as Bettigee (which was her signature on her artworks)

Family and early life She was born hard of hearing in Chicago to deaf parents Ralph Reese Miller, Sr., and Gladys Hedrick Miller. She attended Bell School in Chicago which was an oral school where she was not allowed to sign, but she learned sign language at home. After attending oral school, she transferred to a public school, where she continued to struggle with language and communication. Her father was also an artist, which played a huge role in her becoming an artist herself.

Miller had two older brothers, Ben and Ralph, who were also hard of hearing.

In 1989 Miller, along with 8 other deaf artists, coined the term "De'VIA" (Deaf view image art). The purpose of this movement was the define the difference between art made by deaf people, and art made about the deaf experience. Miller was the first known artists to exhibit art about the deaf experience, some notable works being "Ameslan Prohibited", "Let There Be Light", and "Bell School". Most of her was known as "resistance De'VIA" which is work that talks about the negative aspects of the deaf experience. Other De'VIA artists include Dr. Paul Johnston, Dr. Deborah Sonnestrahl, Chuck Baird, Guy Wonder, Alex Wilhite, Sandi Inches-Vasnick, Nancy Creighton, Lai-Yok Ho.

When Miller was 50 years old she completely lost her hearing due to a high fever.

Death and legacy Miller died on December 3, 2012,

Published works Doctoral thesis.