Back in 1948 I graduated high school ( The High School Of Music
And Art in New York City ). I applied to, and was accepted as a
student at Black Mountain College in North Carolina.
I had no idea as to the reputation the school, and it's students, and
faculty would justly earn. As we went about our daily affairs, we had
not a clue as to the contributions to the world of art that we were
making.
Now as I look back I realize how fortunate I was to be part of that
group.
I studied color with Joseph Albers and attended his drawing class. I
tried my hand in the weaving department set up by his wife Anni
Albers and Trude Guermonprez. I took classes in bookbinding,
photography, and I spent a lot of time in the carpentry shop. I
studied painting and design with Pete Jennerjohn and Joe Fiore.
The big thing about it all,was to make the acquaintance and mingle
causually with faculty and fellow students.
Robert Rauschenberg, Ken Noland, Kenneth Snellson, Ruth Asawa,
Ray Johnson, Theodoros Stamos, Clement Greenberg, Charles
Olson,John Cage, Merce Cunningham, Joel Oppenheimer, Fielding
Dawson; these are just a random few of the many important
contributors to 20th century art that were part of a small group living
and working, tucked away in the mountains of North Carolina near
Ashville.
Aside from the variety of personality, and expression,activity and
work ethic exhibited by my peers I was Introduced at a relatively
early age to the life of the working artist.
I continue in that tradition.
Donald Alter,
ARTIST STATEMENT DECEMBER 2006