Bernard E. Gruenke
Encyclopedia
Bernard E. Gruenke is an art director, professional craftsman, conservationist, preservationist, and master gilder of Conrad Schmitt Studios
. He attended Marquette University
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and obtained a degree in business administration.
, enameling under the supervision of Richard Fale, and apprenticed and executed mosaics under the direction of master mosaicist, Peter Recker, who was the mosaicist responsible for restoring St. Peter's tomb in the Vatican
. All phases of creative ceramic works were under the direction of ceramist/potter, Abraham Cohen, Sr. He studied and apprenticed under the direction of Arnold Hedler, master blacksmith and metallurgist, the art of metalwork, including forging, sculpting, torch firing, welding, and brazing nearly all types of metal. In 1949 he assisted his father, Bernard O. Gruenke
, in creating the first faceted glass windows in the United States.
Starting in 1957 at Conrad Schmitt Studios
, New Berlin, Wisconsin
, Gruenke has directed numerous projects in many areas. From 1958 through 1996 he conserved and restored a number of interiors as well as murals in hundreds of historic buildings under the direction of his father, Recker, muralists Felix Falkenbach, Kurt Baron, Kurt Ehlli, William Michel, and Ljubo Biro.
From 1956 through 1960 he served in the United States Army Reserve
84th Division, 84th Regiment and was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant, MOS - NCOIC - LVDC - MOI.
From 1961 through 1981 he executed the decoration and restoration of interiors of churches and other buildings of historic and artistic significance across the country under the direction of his father, William Michael, and Kai Gotsha. Since 1981 he has been CEO & art director of Conrad Schmitt Studios Inc.
Conrad Schmitt Studios
Conrad Schmitt Studios is an architectural arts studio located in New Berlin, Wisconsin. It provides ecclesiastical art, stained glass artistry, art glass, decorative painting, mosaics, murals and sculptural arts. The studio specializes in restoration services for buildings of architectural,...
. He attended Marquette University
Marquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and obtained a degree in business administration.
Biography
Completing a four-and-a-half year apprenticeship with the Stained Glass Association of America, he was awarded the grand prize in the apprentice competition. He also studied at CloisonnéCloisonné
Cloisonné is an ancient technique for decorating metalwork objects, in recent centuries using vitreous enamel, and in older periods also inlays of cut gemstones, glass, and other materials. The resulting objects can also be called cloisonné...
, enameling under the supervision of Richard Fale, and apprenticed and executed mosaics under the direction of master mosaicist, Peter Recker, who was the mosaicist responsible for restoring St. Peter's tomb in the Vatican
St. Peter's Basilica
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter , officially known in Italian as ' and commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world...
. All phases of creative ceramic works were under the direction of ceramist/potter, Abraham Cohen, Sr. He studied and apprenticed under the direction of Arnold Hedler, master blacksmith and metallurgist, the art of metalwork, including forging, sculpting, torch firing, welding, and brazing nearly all types of metal. In 1949 he assisted his father, Bernard O. Gruenke
Bernard O. Gruenke
Bernard O. Gruenke is an American stained glass artist who produced one of the first Faceted glass windows in the United States in 1949. He was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin....
, in creating the first faceted glass windows in the United States.
Starting in 1957 at Conrad Schmitt Studios
Conrad Schmitt Studios
Conrad Schmitt Studios is an architectural arts studio located in New Berlin, Wisconsin. It provides ecclesiastical art, stained glass artistry, art glass, decorative painting, mosaics, murals and sculptural arts. The studio specializes in restoration services for buildings of architectural,...
, New Berlin, Wisconsin
New Berlin, Wisconsin
New Berlin is a city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 38,220 at the 2000 census. New Berlin is the third largest community in Waukesha County after the cities of Waukesha and Brookfield....
, Gruenke has directed numerous projects in many areas. From 1958 through 1996 he conserved and restored a number of interiors as well as murals in hundreds of historic buildings under the direction of his father, Recker, muralists Felix Falkenbach, Kurt Baron, Kurt Ehlli, William Michel, and Ljubo Biro.
From 1956 through 1960 he served in the United States Army Reserve
United States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
84th Division, 84th Regiment and was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant, MOS - NCOIC - LVDC - MOI.
From 1961 through 1981 he executed the decoration and restoration of interiors of churches and other buildings of historic and artistic significance across the country under the direction of his father, William Michael, and Kai Gotsha. Since 1981 he has been CEO & art director of Conrad Schmitt Studios Inc.
Memberships in Honoraries, Societies, and Associations
- The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works
- Association for Preservation Technology International
- Professional Stained Glass Guild
- The International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works
- National Trust for Historic Preservation
- League of Historic American Theatres
- Life Member of the Friends of the Milwaukee Public Museum
- Stained Glass Association of America
- Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation - Appointed Trustee in January 1993
- Historic Hawaii Foundation
- American Association of Museums
- International Council of Museums
Awards
- National Trust for Historic Preservation Honor Award (2)
- League of Historic American Theatres Award
- Interiors Magazine’s Best Public Space
- Remodeling Magazine’s “The Big 50”
- Stained Glass Association of America Lifetime Achievement Award
- Classical America Arthur Ross Award
- Craftsman of the Year Award
- Construction Specifications Institute Craftsmanship Award
- Painter’s and Decorator’s Institute Award of Excellence
- Painting and Decorating Contractors of America Award (5)
- Public Buildings Heritage Award
- Ministry & Liturgy Magazine Visual Arts Award (2)
- Arizona Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation
- AIA Minnesota Honor Award
- Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award
- American Institute of Architects Contractor Award-Ohio
- Utah State Historical Society Restoration Award
- Historic Savannah Foundation’s Trustees Award for Excellence
- Birmingham Historical Society Preservation Award - Stained Glass Restoration
- Texas Historical Commission Award of Excellence in Historic Architecture
- American Society of Interior Designers - Minnesota Chapter Interior Design
- Maui Historical Society Annual Preservation Award
- Wisconsin Society of Architects Contractors Award
- Milwaukee County Historical Society Preservation Award
- Historic Milwaukee Inc. Preservation Award
- Northern Ohio Live Achievement Award
- Arizona Business/American Institute of Architects Award
- Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation 2001 Historic Preservation Award
- Historic Savannah Foundation Trustees’ Award
Secular Preservation and Restoration Projects
- Basilica of St. Josaphat, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Montgomery, Alabama
- Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Savannah, Georgia
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Memphis, Tennessee
- School Sisters of St. Francis, St. Joseph’s Convent, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Basilica of the Sacred Heart, South Bend, Indiana
- Notre Dame Statue, South Bend, Indiana
- Cathedral of St. Helena, Helena, Montana
Non-Secular Preservation and Restoration Projects
- Pabst Theatre, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- White House Visitor's Center, Washington, D.C.
- Union Station, St. Louis, Missouri.
- Waldorf-Astoria HotelWaldorf-Astoria HotelThe Waldorf-Astoria is a luxury hotel in New York. It has been housed in two historic landmark buildings in New York City. The first, designed by architect Henry J. Hardenbergh, was on the Fifth Avenue site of the Empire State Building. The present building at 301 Park Avenue in Manhattan is a...
, New York City, New York.