Bernard E. Gruenke

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Bernard E. Gruenke is an art director, professional craftsman, conservationist, preservationist, and master gilder of Conrad Schmitt Studios.[1][2] He attended Marquette University 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 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. 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.

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

Patents

  • Leptat Glass, U.S. Patent #3769113: acid etching process

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 Hotel, New York City, New York.

References

  • Faith and Forum – “Let's Experiment”
  • Salesianum – “Honest to God”
  • Exclusively Yours – “Architectural Artists” and “To Restore The Glory Of The Past”
  • Shopping Center World – “Retail Comes Home at St. Louis Union Station”
  • Form & Function – “St. Louis Station Forms Spectacular Union of Old and New”
  • The Best of All World's Milwaukee – “The Rising Towers”
  • Sky – “New Life for Old Movie Palaces”
  • Southern Living – “Act IV for The South's Old Theatres”
  • Progressive Architecture – “To Restore Is To Create”
  • The Milwaukee Journal Magazine – “Saving The Best of an Era”
  • League of Historic American Theatres – “The Restoration Team”,“Gold Leaf vs. Composition Leaf" and “Conservation/Preservation and Restoration - What's The Difference”
  • Professional Stained Glass – “The Evolution of Dalle De Verre” and “Restoration Techniques - University of Notre Dames's Basilica of the Sacred Heart ”
  • Catholic Cemetery – “The Restoration of Art Glass”
  • Milwaukee Business Journal, The Art of Restoration and Survival, January 11, 2002
  • Traditional Building, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Montgomery, AL case study January/February 2002
  • Traditional Building Saving a Stained Glass Treasure, March 2001
  • Traditional Building, Restoring the Eighth Wonder of the World, July/August 2001
  • Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Picking Up the Pieces, cover page, September 19, 2001.
  • Profitable Glass Quarterly - Cover Photo and Studio Profile: Conrad Schmitt Studios Fall/Winter 2000
  • Professional Painting Contractor, Act II: Conrad Schmitt Studios Restores Chicago’s Oriental Theatre for a Second Run, Winter 1998
  • Painting and Wallcovering Contractor, Historic Restoration: New Business in Old Buildings, November/December 1998
  • Midwest Express Magazine, Building on the Past

References

  1. ↑ "Artist/Studio". Michigan Stained Glass Census. Retrieved 23 December 2010. 
  2. ↑ "Visual Art: Growth in the Arts". Wilson Center. Retrieved 23 December 2010. 

External links

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