Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
The George Bireline Papers and Video Media collection includes videos created by Bireline, copies of a few of his artworks, art publications discussing Bireline's work, and images and slides of his work. Bireline was a professor at North Carolina State University's School (now College) of Design and a well known North Carolina painter.
George Bireline was born in Peoria, Illinois in 1923. He served in the United States Army during World War II, and afterwards he earned his Bachelors of Fine Arts from Bradley University in 1949. In the 1950s, Bireline taught art at the Cherokee Indian Reservation Government School, worked for cabinetmaker Llewellyn Tillson in New York, and served as Technical Director at the Raleigh Little Theater. He then returned to higher education to receive his Masters of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1963. Bireline also worked at North Carolina State University from 1956 to 1986, rising from instructor to full professor.
Bireline explored a variety of painting styles throughout his career and often grappled with social issues through his artwork, commenting on subjects such as environmentalism, religion, and the AIDS epidemic. He was most known for using vibrant color palettes. He earned a long list of awards, many coming from the Annual North Carolina Artists Exhibition. Bireline's work was featured in many museums and galleries throughout his life, including the North Carolina Museum of Art and the City Museum of Contemporary Art in Raleigh, along with the Smithsonian, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and many more.
Bireline died in 2002.
This collection includes video created by Bireline, including the film "Eat," along with footage from various art galleries. It also contains Bireline's resume, copies of his artworks, correspondence relating to art showings, slides of Bireline's paintings, and art publications discussing Bireline's work.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], George Bireline Papers and Video Media, MC 00800, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Gift of Lise Bireline, 2025 (Accession 2026.0046).
Preliminary Processing by: Ella Mayfield, 2026 May; Collection guide written by: Ella Mayfield, 2026 May
"Eat" is a 12-minute 8mm color film (silent) showing various actors (probably NC State students) engaged in acts of eating. The film is undated but it probably was created during the 1980s.
Access to a digital copy of this film may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.
Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111
Phone: (919) 515-2273
[Identification of item], George Bireline Papers and Video Media, MC 00800, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.