24 Facts About Norman Carton

Norman Carton was an American artist and educator known for abstract expressionist art.

Norman Carton was born in Ukraine, at the time part of the Russian Empire and moved to the United States in 1922 where he spent most of his adult life.

Norman Carton showed in and continues to be shown in many solo and group exhibitions.

Norman Carton's work is included in numerous museums and private collections throughout the world.

Norman Carton was born in the Dnieper Ukraine territory of the Russian Empire in 1908.

Norman Carton was awarded the Cresson Traveling Scholarship in 1934 which allowed him to travel through Europe and study in Paris.

Norman Carton received numerous commissions as a portrait artist, social realist, sculptor, and theatrical stage designer as well as academic scholarships.

Norman Carton socialized with and was inspired by Emile Gaugin and Fernand Leger.

Norman Carton was a regular supporter and participant in exhibitions at the Pyramid Club, Philadelphia's leading African-American social club.

Norman Carton was the Founder and first President of the Philadelphia chapter of the Artists Union and later Artist's Equity Association.

Norman Carton produced hand-printed fabrics for interiors and fashion that were featured in Harper's Bazaar, Vogue and Women's Wear Daily.

Norman Carton traded his partnership in the fabric design company in 1949 to focus full-time on painting.

Norman Carton had his first solo exhibition in 1949 at the Philadelphia Art Alliance.

Norman Carton was granted access to study the restoration of the Mona Lisa and was one of the very few to be given permission to remove the painting from its frame.

Norman Carton conducted seminars at the Louvre for the Cercle Esthetique Internationale and taught classes in and directed stage and costume design for the Theatre de Recherche at the Paris Opera.

Norman Carton had solo exhibitions one gallery after another: Martha Jackson, Staempfli, Granite and World House in New York City; Tirca Carlis, Provincetown; Gres, Washington DC; and Joachim, Chicago.

Norman Carton was an art educator throughout much of his life.

Also while in Paris, Norman Carton taught classes in and directed stage and costume design for the Theatre de Recherche at the Paris Opera.

Norman Carton gave lectures at the Pratt Institute and the Chrysler Museum of Art as well as the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Norman Carton moderated panel discussions between prominent artists and educators and appeared in radio interviews.

Norman Carton had two children, sons Jacob and Benedict Carton.

Norman Carton died of a heart attack at Doctors Hospital in New York City in 1980 at the age of 72.

Norman Carton has had more than 30 solo exhibitions and was part of over 220 group exhibitions.

Norman Carton's work is currently in more than 20 museums and hundreds of private collections throughout the world.