Bernard O. Gruenke
Encyclopedia
Bernard O. Gruenke is an American
stained glass
artist
who produced one of the first Faceted (dalle de verre) glass windows in the United States in 1949. He was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin
.
Gruenke joined Conrad Schmitt Studios
in 1936, working closely with the founder, Conrad Schmitt, (1867-1940). In the late 1940s, he became Rupert Schmitt's partner and following Rupert's death in 1951, he purchased the renowned national art studio from the Schmitt estate and went on to provide murals, stained glass and decorating for hundreds of churches, theatres and public buildings throughout the United States.
Gruenke’s effort to create and advance art glass has been recognized by the Stained Glass Association(SGAA) of America over the years. A member since 1936, he served as Vice President of the SGAA and was named a Fellow in 1972. In 1996, Gruenke was honored with the SGAA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1980, an honorary degree was conferred upon Bernard by Mount Mary College in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin: Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa. (Reference Stained Glass Magazine, Fall 2003).
Gruenke is also well known for his work in interior decoration. He has designed or redecorated the interiors of some of the largest and best known cathedrals and churches in the country.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
who produced one of the first Faceted (dalle de verre) glass windows in the United States in 1949. He was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
-Airport:Sheboygan is served by the Sheboygan County Memorial Airport, which is located several miles from the city.-Roads:Interstate 43 is the primary north-south transportation route into Sheboygan, and forms the west boundary of the city. U.S...
.
Gruenke joined 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,...
in 1936, working closely with the founder, Conrad Schmitt, (1867-1940). In the late 1940s, he became Rupert Schmitt's partner and following Rupert's death in 1951, he purchased the renowned national art studio from the Schmitt estate and went on to provide murals, stained glass and decorating for hundreds of churches, theatres and public buildings throughout the United States.
Gruenke’s effort to create and advance art glass has been recognized by the Stained Glass Association(SGAA) of America over the years. A member since 1936, he served as Vice President of the SGAA and was named a Fellow in 1972. In 1996, Gruenke was honored with the SGAA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1980, an honorary degree was conferred upon Bernard by Mount Mary College in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin: Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa. (Reference Stained Glass Magazine, Fall 2003).
Gruenke is also well known for his work in interior decoration. He has designed or redecorated the interiors of some of the largest and best known cathedrals and churches in the country.