American, 1933 - 2023
Charles Apt was a native of New York City. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Pratt Institute. His early artistic development was influenced by his grandfather, Sam Lumiere, a world-renowned portrait photographer and his mother, Tami Apt, a designer of fashion and fine jewelry. An early stint as an illustrator was followed by a 2-year painting sojourn in Europe. Apt returned to New York to continue painting and later held his first gallery showing in New York. As a result of this showing, wider recognition became apparent when he was invited to do a series of thoroughbred paintings to be exhibited at the Aqueduct Race Track. Subsequently, he had a one-man show of paintings and drawings of the race at the Aqueduct Gallery. An exhibition at the National Museum of Racing in Saratoga resulted in the "Best of Show" award for his painting, The Railbirds.
Later, the commitment of a "one-man show" at the Grand Central Gallery in New York City, of the life and people of Portugal, took Apt and his family to Europe for two summers.
After returning to the United States, he continued to receive many awards such as the "Le Prix Prince Souverain" for a painting now in the collection of Prince Rainier from Monaco. Apt received the prestigious Benjamin Altman Award from The National Academy of Design.
Apt, who characterized his work as contemporary realism, exhibited his work for over 60 years in national and international shows and museums. He had many solo exhibitions, and taught at The National Academy of Design and The Art Students' League of New York.
After spending many years in New York City, Apt established a new studio in Southern California, where he worked and resided with his wife, Ursula, until his passing.
Later, the commitment of a "one-man show" at the Grand Central Gallery in New York City, of the life and people of Portugal, took Apt and his family to Europe for two summers.
After returning to the United States, he continued to receive many awards such as the "Le Prix Prince Souverain" for a painting now in the collection of Prince Rainier from Monaco. Apt received the prestigious Benjamin Altman Award from The National Academy of Design.
Apt, who characterized his work as contemporary realism, exhibited his work for over 60 years in national and international shows and museums. He had many solo exhibitions, and taught at The National Academy of Design and The Art Students' League of New York.
After spending many years in New York City, Apt established a new studio in Southern California, where he worked and resided with his wife, Ursula, until his passing.
