Chet Kalm

Chet Kalm (December 30, 1925 – April 26, 2017) was an American painter, teacher, and illustrator. He was an instructor and administrator at the Parsons School of Design, where he also established the Foundation Department. His work was featured in more than thirty solo exhibits throughout the United States and Europe and displayed in galleries such as the Norman Rockwell Museum and the Everhart Museum.

Early life and education

Kalm was born in Boston, Massachusetts and was enrolled in classes at the Boston Museum as a child. He studied with museum program staff until enlisting in the United States Army in 1942 and was injured during World War II, suffering permanent loss of use of his right hand. where he studied architecture. He changed to the School of Painting and later moved to Paris, France where he studied painting at École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts. He also studied graphics at Academie Colarossi prior to returning to the United States. After leaving Parsons, Kalm moved from New York City to the Berkshires in 1991 and began working out of a studio barn attached to his house. Additional illustrations include A Child's First Bible arranged by Sidney Brichto in 1961 and Paths to Jewish Belief by Emil Fackenheim in 1960, Kalm also illustrated the February 18, 1960 cover of The Reporter.

Kalm was featured in more than thirty solo exhibits throughout the United States and Europe as well as being represented in private and institutional collections. the Norman Rockwell Museum, the Everhart Museum, and the Berkshire Museum.

Select exhibitions

2010-2013, Koman Fine Art, Vero Beach, FL 2006, Berkshire Museum 2002 - 2011, Harrison Gallery, Retrospective in 2002 1995 - 1996, Southern Vermont Art Center 1993, Kosciuszko Foundation 1987, Gallerie Motte 1984 - 1987, Bergen Museum