Nanette Carter facts for kids

Nanette Carolyn Carter, born in 1954 in Columbus, Ohio, is an amazing African-American artist. She also teaches art at a college. Nanette Carter lives and works in New York City. She is most famous for her unique collages. These artworks are made using paper, canvas, and a special plastic called Mylar.

Nanette grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, with her sister, Bettye. Their parents were Frances Hill Carter and Matthew G. Carter. Nanette's father was the first African American Mayor of Montclair. He served from 1968 to 1972. Her mother was a dedicated elementary school teacher. She also taught dance and later became a Vice Principal.

Early Life and Education

In 1960, Nanette's family moved from Ohio to Montclair, New Jersey. Her father was a civil rights leader. He worked hard for social justice and better housing for everyone. He also led the New Jersey Commission on Civil Rights.

Nanette loved art from a young age. She went to Oberlin College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976. She studied Studio Art and Art History. During her third year, she lived and studied art in Perugia, Italy, at the Accademia di Belle Arti. After college, Nanette went to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. There, she earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in 1978.

Her Art Career

After finishing her studies, Nanette Carter started teaching. In 1978, she taught printmaking and drawing at the Dwight-Englewood School in New Jersey. At the same time, she continued to create her own art as a full-time artist.

Since 1981, Nanette has had a busy career in the art world. She gives many lectures and teaches workshops. She also serves as a judge for art competitions at universities and art places. She has been invited to speak at places like Bard College and the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Havana, Cuba.

Since 2001, Nanette has taught drawing at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. She is now an Adjunct Associate Professor there.

Nanette Carter's artwork has been shown in many art shows. These include both solo shows (just her art) and group exhibitions (her art with others). Her pieces are part of over 45 company collections. They are also found in many museums, libraries, and university collections. Some of these include The National Museum of Fine Arts in Cuba and The Studio Museum in New York. Her art is also at the Yale University Art Gallery and the Rhode Island School of Design.

How She Creates Art

Nanette Carter is known for her collages. She uses paper, canvas, and Mylar, which are special plastic sheets that last a long time. She first saw Mylar used by students of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1984. Her art is known for its complex designs, paintings, and drawings.

Her artwork often explores important issues happening today. These include topics like war, unfairness, and new technology. She wants her art to show the need to deal with "inequality seen around the world." For example, her series called "Afro-Sentinels II" shows her desire to fight racial injustice. It features strong, watchful figures.

Another recent series, started in 2013, is called "Cantilevered." This series is like a picture of life in the 21st century. It shows how technology is always advancing. It also makes us think about global issues and our responsibilities. Nanette uses abstract shapes, lines, and colors to explore these big ideas. She wants her art to show the mysteries of nature and human feelings. She also tries to make her art look bright, clear, and full of depth all at once.

Where You Can See Her Art

Nanette Carter's artwork is part of the permanent collections in many museums. You can find her pieces in the United States and other countries.

• Pérez Art Museum Miami, Florida
• Columbus Museum of Art, Ohio
• Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana, Cuba
• Pennsylvania Academy of Arts, Philadelphia
• Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri
• Studio Museum in Harlem, New York
• Yale University Art Gallery, Connecticut

Awards and Special Honors

Nanette Carter has received many awards for her art. Some of these include:

• The Anonymous Was A Woman Award (2021)
• The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation Grant (2014)
• Artists’ Fellowship Inc. Grant (2013)
• The Mayer Foundation Grant (2013)

In 2007, the U.S. State Department chose her as a Cultural Envoy to Syria. This meant she represented the U.S. at the 7th Annual Women's Art Festival in Aleppo, Syria. She also received a special commission from Mudd Library at Oberlin College in 2003. Nanette has also been invited to be an artist-in-residence. This means she gets to live and create art at places like Hydra Art Project in Italy (2017) and the Experimental Printmaking Institute (2015).