Charles Alston

Birth and Death

Charles Alston was born November 18, 1907 and he died on April 27, 1977. He was born in Charlotte, North Carolina {which was segregated in his time]. He was 69 when he died. He died of cancer.

Childhood

Charles Alston’s nickname spinky when he growing up and sometimes he would get teased for it. His father Rev. Primus Priss Alston was born into slavery and went to divinity school right after emancipation; he died when Charles was only three. His mother married Harry Pierce Bearden, an uncle of artist Romare Bearden {who later became one of Charles’s students}. He was the youngest of the 5 Alston children, but he was the one who showed artistic ability at a young age, making sculptures of red clay found all over North Carolina. His family finally moved to New York in 1913.

Education

Alston went to New York’s DeWitt Clinton High school; there he realized he had artistic talents by winning a school art prize. When he graduated from high school he became encouraged to study art, so he enrolled at Columbia University New York, Alston graduated in 1929. During his student years he was influenced by Alaine Cock who told black artists to express the African-American experience. He stated at Columbia for graduate work until 1931.

Career

Alston then met the Mexican Mural School including Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco who painted public art. They inspired him to paint classical public art of Michelangelo and the others. Alston also married a hospital surgeon named Myra Logan; he also got into teaching and taught artists such as Jacob Lawrence. Alston started painting portraits such as Jacob Lawrence and Dr. Martin Luther King.

Awards

Arthur Wesley Dow Fellowship, Columbia University, 1929; Rosenwald Fellowships, 1939-40; National Institute of Arts and letters grant, 1958; named to American Academy of arts and letters, 1958.

How he influenced modern day society

He taught many people to be the best that they can be and not be someone else. He taught people to follow their dreams. He taught people to not be influenced mean or harsh words spoken by others. He taught others to believe in them selves.

RECOUCES: Biography.com