Charles Culver

Culver studied with John P. Wicker in Detroit (1926-1930) and at the Cranbrook Academy (1927-1928). During his early years he worked as a freelance commercial artist in the automotive industry while studying at the Art Institute of Chicago and at the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts under John Carroll. He taught at the Detroit Art Academy from 1937-38, during which time he kept company with fellow Michigan artists Carlos Lopez, Ernest Scanes and Frederick Simper.

In 1960 Culver joined the faculty at the Art School of the DSAC as the head of the Watercolor department. He was the editor the school’s monthly publication, “Topic and Talk”, and at various times wrote articles for Art Digest, Ford Times and American Artist. He served as an art critic for the Detroit Free Press throughout the 1960s.

By the 1960s Culver had over 25 one-person shows in the Detroit area alone. He won 14 prizes at the “Exhibition for Michigan Artists,” as well as the Scarab Club Gold Medal; Culver is represented by over 58 works in the Detroit Institute of the Arts, more than any other Michigan artist.