Richard Carter worked as Bauhaus master Herbert Bayer’s studio assistant in the 1970s.
Carter will speak about working with Bayer, who he calls the greatest graphic artist of the 20th century, Tuesday at the Aspen Art Museum.
Bayer had a hand in many different projects in Aspen, designing the Aspen Institute campus, posters and buildings for the Aspen Skiing Company and commercial art for local organizations.
For five years, Bayer would sketch ideas for paintings, and hand them over to Carter, who would outline them on a canvas, then mix colors and even assist in painting.
At the time, Carter was a new artist in his twenties. He hadn’t been to art school, but says being Bayer’s assistant was the best education out there.
He says Bayer was constantly working on several different local projects.
"You know, he was tremendously involved in our community, and that rubbed off on me, too," he said.
Carter helped found the Aspen Center for the Visual Arts, the precursor to the Aspen Art Museum.
As part of the Bauhaus 100 celebration, he speaks with Lissa Ballinger Tuesday evening at 5 p.m.
