Cooper Hewitt says...
Born in Port Arthur, Texas on 22 October 1925.
Education: Kansas City Art Institute and School of Design 1946-47; Académie Julian, Paris 1947; Black Mountain College, North Carolina 1948-1950 under Joseph Albers; Art Students' League until 1952.
Independent artist in New York since 1950. Taught at Black Mountain College in 1952, mounting first "happening" with John Cage and others. Worked with Merce Cunningham Dance Company as stage and costume designer and a technical director in 1960. President of Board of Directors, Change Inc., New York 1970 and President of Trisha Brown Dance Company, New York 1978.
Recipient: Art Institute of Chicago Prize 1960; Ohara Prize, National Museum of Modern Art, 1962; First Prize 1963 and Prix d'honneur 1979, International Exhibition of Graphic Art, Ljuljana, Yugoslavia; First Prize, Biennale Venice 1964; William A. Clarkfield Medal and Prize, Corcoran Biennal Exhibition of Contemporary American Painters; Honorary Degree from University of South Florida 1975; Logan Award, Art Institute of Chicago 1976; Fellow, Rhode Island School of Design 1978; Member, American Academy of Arts and Science; Ordre des Arts et Lettres, France 1981.
