Bernard Otto Gruenke

Background

He was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Education

He also studied under Caesar Riccardi, a former student of the well-respected artist Robert Henri.

Career

She provided him with a scholarship to the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, District of Columbia He left for Corcoran in 1934, working as a sign painter by day and studying portrait painting at night. In the late 1940s, Gruenke became a partner in the studio and in 1951, he purchased the company. Gruenke and Conrad Schmitt Studios furnished murals, stained glass, and decorating for churches, theatres and public buildings throughout the United States.

In 1949, Gruenke made his first trip to Europe and became inspired by the more progressive materials and designs in the art glass fieldin particular, some of the early Dalle de verre, or "slab glass", from France.

He began experimenting with internal reinforcement of the faceted glass, casting with cement. Over the years he introduced the new glass form to many areas around the United States. Gruenke was also known for his work in interior decoration.

He designed or redecorated the interiors of cathedrals and churches throughout the country. White House Visitor"s Center in Washington, District of Columbia Hawaii Theatre in Honolulu, Hawaii The Egyptian Theatre in Boise, Idaho New Regal Theater in Chicago, Illinois John H. Bass Mansion in Fort Wayne, Indiana Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana Wang Center for the Performing Arts in Boston, Massachusetts Union Station in Saint Louis, Missouri Cathedral of Saint Helena in Helena, Montana Plaza Hotel in New York City, New York Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Memphis, Tennessee Basilica of Saint Josaphat in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Federal Building in Milwaukee, Wisconsin The Pabst Theater in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Achievements

• Gruenke was recognized by the Stained Glass Association of America (SGAA), being named a Fellow of the organization in 1972. In 1996, he was given the SGAA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1980, Gruenke was awarded an honorary doctorate by Mount Mary College in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. National Trust for Historic Preservation Award (2) League of Historic American Theatres Award Public Buildings Heritage Award Arizona Governor"s Award for Historic Preservation Utah State Historical Society Award Historic Savannah Foundation"s Trustees Award for Excellence Maui Historical Society Annual Preservation Award Milwaukee County Historical Society Preservation Award Wisconsin Society of Architects Contractors Award Architecture Minnesota Historic Preservation Award State of New Mexico Historic Preservation Award American Institute of Architects Minnesota Honor Award American Institute of Architects Wisconsin Honor Award.

Membership

At sixteen, Gruenke was encouraged in the pursuit of art by Marie Kohler, a member of the bath fixtures company.