Bell, Joy Williams (1932-2017) Papers, 1932-2019
Held by The Filson Historical Society
Creator: Bell, Joy Williams, 1932-2017
Title: Papers, 1932-2019
Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Collections Department.
Size of Collection: 0.36 cu. ft.
Location Number: Mss. A B433b
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains material related to the life and career of Louisville ballet dancer and dance instructor Joy Williams Bell. Material includes biographical information, speeches, dance studio and company programs and pamphlets, newspaper clippings, and more.
Folders 1-6 contain material related to Bell’s career.
Folders 7-8 contain material related to Bell’s husband, Donald Bell.
Folders 9-13 contain newspaper clippings relating to Bell’s career and other performing arts topics in Louisville.
Biographical Note
Joy Williams Bell, born Ann Joyce Williams, was born on 2 August 1932 to Ruel Edwin Williams and Mary Lee Nantz in Louisville, Kentucky. She attended Fern Creek High School and graduated from the University of Louisville from 1950 to 1954. At U of L, she was awarded the Woodcock Medal for high academic achievement. She was a beauty pageant winner and had some work as a model. In 1952, Bell won the title of Miss City Beautiful, a Louisville pageant, and became Miss Kentucky.
Bell danced with the Louisville Civic Ballet Company, performing the lead in many performances, including many at Iroquois Amphitheatre. In the 1980s and 1990s she was a guest performer in many Louisville Ballet productions, with roles including the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella and Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet.
Bell was a dance instructor. She operated or worked at several dance studios and companies throughout her life, including:
- The Joy Williams School of Dance
- Operated 1951-1954
- The Joy Williams Dance Studio
- Located at 2815 Bardstown Road
- Operated June 1955-May 1972
- Ballet East Studio
- Located at 906 Dupont Road
- First dance concert March 1972; operated July 1973-1985
- Joy Williams Ballet Company
- Operated 1961-1967
She married Donald Maclean Bell (1931-2017) on 26 December 1960. They had one daughter, Wendy, who died in 1975. Bell died on 3 January 2017.
Folder List
Box 1
Folder 1: Biographical information, certificates of achievement, vital statistics, 1932-2019
Folder 2: Speeches, most by Bell or on her behalf, 1999 and undated
Folder 3: Joy Williams School of Dance, Joy Williams Dance Studio, and Joy Williams Ballet Company programs, pamphlets, ads, etc., 1951-1992 and undated
Folder 4: Ballet East Studio programs, pamphlets, newsletters, advertisements, patch, 1972-1985 and undated
Folder 5: Material regarding the Louisville Ballet, including its 1990 performance of Cinderella, 1990-2003
Folder 6: Programs from miscellaneous dance schools and companies, 1946-1987 and undated
Folder 7: Donald Bell military, academic, and professional material, 1953-1998
Folder 8: “The Economic Dilemma of Japan” by Donald Bell, 1955
Folder 9: Clippings regarding Bell’s careers as a dancer, teacher, and model, ca. 1950s and 1960s
Includes advertisement for archery equipment for which Bell modeled
Folder 10: Clippings regarding Bell’s involvement in beauty pageants, ca. 1950s
Folder 11: Courier-Journal Magazine features, 1947-1951
Folder 12: Clippings and pamphlets related to Iroquois Amphitheatre performances, ca. 1952
Folder 13: Clippings regarding other performing arts topics, ca. 1950s-1960s
Subject Headings
Ballet – Study and teaching.
Beauty contests.
Bell, Donald Maclean, 1931-2017.
Louisville Ballet.