MARYETTE CHARLTON

CHARLTON--Maryette. Filmmaker, photographer, artist, performer and downtown arts advocate extraordinaire Maryette Charlton passed away in New York City on November 25 at the age of 89. Born in Manchester, Iowa in 1924, educated at Pratt and Columbia University. Founded and taught at the Art department of American University of Beirut in the fifties. Her work as a filmmaker documented the works of Alexander Calder, e.e. cummings, Frederick Kiesler, Pierre Matisse, Dorothy Miller, Lenore Tawney, Loren MacIver and others. Over the years Maryette and longtime partner Lillian Kiesler became the most enthusiastic supporters of many young artists. As a performer Maryette appeared in the works of Cindy Lubar, Richard Foreman, Jo Andres, Tim Miller, Steve Buscemi and others. She most recently appeared in the film "Ghostlight" as Helen Keller. She was the mother of the late photographer Kirk Winslow. Maryette's e.e. cummings archives have been left to Harvard University. Her extensive collection of downtown New York arts memorabilia has been left to the Smithsonian Archives of American Art.