Art started his lettering and painting when he was 17 years old. He could letter anything but did race cars for the love of it. He enjoyed being around the garage watching as the race cars were completed. Art's love for stock car racing began at O'Hare Stadium where he became close friends with track Champions Bill Lutz and Gene Marmor. Art himself sponsored many races at O'Hare Stadium. Art not only lettered cars but he actually drove Sportsman Cadets & mini stocks. He helped initiate Volkswagon racing in 1967. 
 

In 1968 Art was the first to apply gold leaf numbers to Jerry Kling's orange and white 1957 Ford, winning the best appearing trophy at Santa Fe Speedway. The most unusual place that Art lettered a race car was in the garage built inside a barn in Tinley Park, IL by the Bettenhausen family. He lettered Gary Bettenhausen' s midget. 
Some of Art's famous artistic accomplishments were Jerry Kling's Santa Fe Mustang "Poppys Pride", Paul Newman/Haas Indy Cars, Don Schumakers Funny Car, Ray Nichels Engineering USAC, NASCAR entries. Sal Tovella's USAC Plymouths, Dave Marcis & Rich Clements Plymouth Daytona Cars. 
 

Art Dexter is a member of the exclusive Chicago Brushmasters Orginaz.ation and volunteers yearly to support Advocate Hope Children's Hospital Ronald McDonald House. Items are hand painted on site highlighting artforms from the past and re-introducting hand lettering and pinstriping, when completed the items are donated for auction. Brusmasters raises approximately $40,000 or more each year. 
The Frank H Atkinson Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Art in February 2010 at the O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels Show.