Throughout his
pre-college training Daniel Altshuler studied drawing, painting
and woodcarving of lettered
signs. He studied with special instructors in painting, still
life, and life drawing classes through the Art Institute of Boston
and Boston University. When at the Museum School he developed
his skills in life studies and human anatomy. Through the various
fine art studies in drawing, designing, clay modeling, stone and
woodcarving, welding and metal work, casting in plaster and metal,
painting, printmaking, and photography, the Museum School prepared
Altshuler for his future training with Walker Hancock, Sculptor.
After meeting Hancock,
prolific in monumental figurative sculpture, protraiture, numismatic
work, and bas-relief, Altshuler worked as sole assistant to Hancock
for the duration of thirteen years. Altshuler's sculptural training
with Hancock ranged from small works to monumental sized works.
While developing Hancock's work from statuary to busts in clay,
plaster, bronze and marble, Altshuler worked concurrently on his
own professional commissions in an adjoining studio. The immediacy
of Hancock's presence and his emphasis on bas-relief with the
figure, portraiture and lettering, in the Classical way, developed
Altshuler's skills and knowledge to become the professional sculptor
he is today.
While fulfilling the demands
of his private clientele and own independent works, as a curator,
Altshuler chaired two massive exhibitions on Cape Ann, Massachusetts
in 1997 and 1998. The first, "Sculptors of Cape Ann, From
Medals to Monuments", an artistically rich community was
given an opportunity to discover and honor the sometimes overlooked
and yet significant sculptural roots of this seaport location
north of Boston. Attending as a member of the Board of Governors
at then Rockport Art Association, Altshuler created, curated and
chaired this landmark event honoring 19th and 20th century sculptors
who worked and lived within the Cape Ann area. Some 300 numismatic,
monumental, statuettes, bas-relief and portrait busts were assembled.
Following this successful venture was another, soon national exhibition
entitled, "America's Sculptural Heritage, Anchored in Gloucester",
executed for Mayor Bruce Tobey to commemorate the City's 375th
Anniversary. This production was designed and co-currated by Altshuler,
focusing on traditionalist monumental, animaliar and figurative
sculptors of the late 19th and 20th century. Altshuler's technical
expertise in architectural designs and floor plans, installation,
and management of proper lighting, foliage, fountains, waterfalls,
seating and viewing areas as well as the overseeing of castings,
patinas, shipment, assembling, and mounting of oversize works
proved essential to the launching of these exhibitions, their
success and continued management. Altshuler's experience in these
areas and his desire to bring sculpture into the community are
apparent dedicative forces, through his own works and those of
his predecessors.
Currently, Altshuler's
numismatic commemorative works include Henry David Thoreau, Paul
Revere, and Louisa May Alcott. His recently unveiled portrait
bust of Louisa may Alcott may be viewed at Orchard House in Concord,
Massachusetts. Other numismatic works as a memorial to the Gloucester
Fishermen (after Leonard Craske) and Year 2000 American Millennium
Medal honoring Native American Peoples may be viewed along with
several other of his public and private works at his website at:
stateoftheartgalleryandsculptuergarden.com and at fine art galleries.
His statuette of Chief
Massasoit will be on display at the National Sculpture Society
exhibition this fall. He will also have an exhibition at the State
of the Art Gallery & Sculpture Garden in Rocky Neck, Gloucester,
Massachusetts this fall.