24 Facts About Morton Dimondstein

Morton Dimondstein was an American painter, sculptor, printmaker, woodcutter, and activist who lived in the United States, Mexico, and Italy over the course of his life and career.

Morton Dimondstein was raised in a secular, Yiddish-speaking and culturally Jewish home in New York City.

Morton Dimondstein enrolled in the American Artists School and the Art Students League in New York City.

In 1939, Morton Dimondstein was a member of the Youth Workshop in New York, an affiliate group of the American Youth Congress.

When interviewed by Counterintelligence Corps agent Jack H Dunn, Dimondstein reported that both he and Seeger had been to multiple Communist Party meetings, but that Dimondstein was not a member and was unsure if Seeger had been.

Morton Dimondstein explained that in his opinion this was the basis of most artists' interest in the Communist party as under their program the artist had an opportunity to produce his works without worry of starving to death, as they were subsidized by the government for such work.

Morton Dimondstein served in the 104th Infantry Division in the 387th Field Artillery Battalion as a forward observer and fire director center operator.

Morton Dimondstein started the Fraymart Gallery on Melrose avenue in 1948 with his then-wife Miriam, art dealer Felix Landau, and Manny Singer.

The FBI's investigations into Morton Dimondstein continued during this time, which included visits to their home by presumed federal agents meant to intimidate.

Morton Dimondstein was the art editor for multiple editions of The California Quarterly from 1953 to 1956, which published works by various local artists and poets, including Thomas McGrath.

Morton Dimondstein worked for the advertising firm headed by Saul Bass, designing books jackets and collaborating on advertisement campaigns for films, including Otto Preminger's Saint Joan and William Wyler's The Big Country.

Morton Dimondstein created woodcut covers used for two Vladimir Nabokov stories published by Penguin Books, The Real Life of Sebastian Knight and Laughter in the Dark.

Morton Dimondstein continued to receive recognition in his work into the 60's.

Morton Dimondstein worked closely with friend and fellow artist, Martin Lubner.

Morton Dimondstein created a woodcut portrait of Tal Farlow that was used for the cover of his 1959 album release, The Guitar Artistry of Tal Farlow.

Morton Dimondstein would sculpt using wax and then cast the wax in bronze.

Morton Dimondstein had established The School of Fine Art, where he taught and worked alongside photographer Harry Drinkwater, and artists Arnold Mesches, Ted Gilien, Keith Fitch, and Martin Lubner.

Morton Dimondstein signed a petition within the 1942 State-Wide Nominating Petitions and List of Signatures and Addresses, which was filed by the Communist Party with the Secretary of State in the State of New York.

Morton Dimondstein was identified as a sponsor of the Los Angeles Committee for Protection of Foreign Born.

Morton Dimondstein taught classes at the California Labor School in 1949.

Morton Dimondstein was on the board of directors for the Artists For Economic Action.

Morton Dimondstein was a member of the Los Angeles Artist's Protest Committee, his name appearing on a two-page protest article published in the Los Angeles Free Press in 1965.

Morton Dimondstein's name appears on Stop We Dissent, an iconic sign held up by protestors at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Morton Dimondstein's name appears on a list of artists who participated in the Peace Tower showcase in 1966, a collaborative art demonstration organized by Irving Petlin and members of the Artist's Protest Committee.