Norma Minkowitz
Norma Minkowitz | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1937 (age 88–89) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Other names | Norma M. Minkowitz, Norma C. Minkowitz |
| Education | Cooper Union |
| Occupation | Fiber artist |
| Known for | Crochet sculptures |
| Height | 4 ft 11 in (150 cm)[1] |
| Awards | American Craft Council (2003 fellow) |
Norma Minkowitz (born 1937, New York City) is an American visual artist. She is known for fiber art,[2][3][4] including crochet sculptures.[4] She is also an athlete, having set multiple world records in masters athletics.[1]
Artistic Career
She attended Cooper Union.[4] In 2003, she became fellow of the American Craft Council.[5] In 2009, she received the Master of the Medium Award from the James Renwick Alliance.[6]
Minkowitz's work is in the permanent collection of 35 museums,[1] including the Denver Art Museum,[7] the Metropolitan Museum of Art,[8] the Minneapolis Institute of Art,[9] and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.[10] Her piece, Goodbye, My Friend, was acquired by the Smithsonian American Art Museum as part of the Renwick Gallery's 50th Anniversary Campaign.[11][12]
Athletic Career
Minkowitz began running seriously in her late forties, and competed in marathons in her fifties.[1]
In 2023, she set the world record for women aged 85 through 89 (W85-89) 400 meter race, at 1:50.99[1]. In 2024, she set the world record for the mile in the W85-89 category, completing the race in 9:46.65.[13] Reflecting on her achievements, she said:
I’m not pessimistic, maybe I fear death. But I feel strong and healthy so it’s a weird combination. But there’s also hope in a lot of my work, like a burst of birds flying freely and things that have deep meaning, not laying down and dying but fighting for what you want. I think I fight for what I want in my running. I don’t know where this came from with my sedentary background, but I’ve always pushed myself to the limits.
— Norma Minkowitz, In an interview with Del Moon for the National Senior Games Association
References
- ^ a b c d e Moon, Del. "The Fine Art of Running – National Senior Games Association". Retrieved 2026-03-15.
- ^ "Norma Minkowitz". Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ "Norma Minkowitz". browngrotta arts. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ a b c Koplos, Janet; Metcalf, Bruce (2010-07-31). Makers: A History of American Studio Craft. University of North Carolina Press. p. 431. ISBN 978-0-8078-9583-2.
- ^ "Norma Minkowitz". American Craft Council. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ "Masters of the Medium". James Renwick Alliance for Craft. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ "Legs I". Denver Art Museum. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ "Cloak". Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ "Lunar Landing, Norma Minkowitz". Minneapolis Institute of Art. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ "The Gamble". Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ Savig, Mary; Atkinson, Nora; Montiel, Anya (2022). This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World. Washington, DC: Smithsonian American Art Museum. pp. 228–238. ISBN 9781913875268.
- ^ "Goodbye, My Friend". Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ "Nutmeg State Games T&F Meet 2024 Results". 2024-08-27. p. 8. Retrieved 2026-03-15.