Marc Zimetbaum, Co-Founder of New York Studio School, Dies at 77 from COVID-19
Marc Zimetbaum, an influential figure in American art education, passed away from COVID-19 on December 20, 2020, at Eger Nursing Home. In 1964, he co-established the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture, inspired by a 1963 ArtNews article by Mercedes Matter. Together with Chuck O'Connor, he guided discontented students in forming a school dedicated to studio practice devoid of grades. Initial gatherings took place in the Chelsea residence of Louis Finkelstein and Gretna Campbell. The founding faculty featured Matter, Charles Cajori, and Meyer Schapiro. Zimetbaum ran the school's art store and taught sculpture until 2014. He received support from the Rothko Foundation and the New York Foundation for the Arts. He is survived by his sister, children, and former spouses.
Key facts
- Marc Zimetbaum died from COVID-19 on December 20, 2020.
- He co-founded the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture in 1964.
- The school was inspired by a 1963 ArtNews article by Mercedes Matter.
- He was a student at Pratt Institute when he helped start the school.
- The school's original faculty included Mercedes Matter and Meyer Schapiro.
- He taught sculpture at the Chautauqua Institution summer program until 2014.
- He received grants from the Rothko Foundation (1974) and NYFA (2001).
- A biographical film about him was made by Mark Ozz and Erick Emerick.
Entities
Artists
- Marc Zimetbaum
- Mercedes Matter
- Chuck O'Connor
- Louis Finkelstein
- Gretna Campbell
- Charles Cajori
- Sydney Geist
- George Spaventa
- Meyer Schapiro
- Edwin Dickinson
- Philip Guston
- Alex Katz
- Earl Kerkam
- John Heliker
- Polly Ann Martin
- Harriet Vicente
- Esteban Vicente
- Mark Ozz
- Erick Emerick
- Lisa Max Zimetbaum
- Philip Popkin
- Nancy Lewis
- Eve LeBer
- Janet Rispoli
- Erica Zimetbaum
- Guy Johnson
- Ruby Zimetbaum Oyola
- Red LeBer
- Rebecca Royen
- Sylvia Johnson
- Sienna Oyola
Institutions
- New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture
- Pratt Institute
- ArtNews
- Chautauqua Institution
- Pearl Paint
- Manet On Eighth
- The Art Lab School at Snug Harbor
- Wagner College
- Rothko Foundation
- New York Foundation for the Arts
- Harriet & Esteban Vicente Trust
- Weequahic High School
- Denise Bibro Gallery
- Eger Nursing Home
- Amazon
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Canal Street
- Chelsea
- Chautauqua
- New Jersey
- Snug Harbor