B. Gunar Gruenke
Encyclopedia
B. Gunar Gruenke was born and raised in Wisconsin. He grew up surrounded by artists and craftsmen creating and conserving stained glass and decorating America’s historic buildings and sacred spaces. He began studying art at the age of seven years old, under the tutelage of his grandfather, Bernard O. Gruenke
, his father, Bernard E. Gruenke
, both nationally recognized ecclesiastical artists, as well as various fine artists from around the world. He studied Business Administration in college and graduated with a major in General Business and emphasis in Economics and Finance from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater.
B. Gunar Gruenke is the third generation owner and President of the internationally recognized Conrad Schmitt Studios
based in New Berlin, Wisconsin
. Established in 1889, the architectural arts studio is one of Milwaukee's early pioneer businesses as witnessed at the Milwaukee Public Museum
in the "Streets of Old Milwaukee" permanent exhibit. The Studio’s collection of notable stained glass artwork is on display at the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows
at Navy Pier
in Chicago. The art studio specializes in various techniques and procedures including the investigation and documentation of original decorative schemes, gilding
, glazing
, marbleizing, scagliola
and stencil
ing as well as the new design, replication or conservation of stained glass
and mural
s.
He has made his life’s work to carry on the tradition his father and grandfather have passed down. Mr. Gruenke oversees all facets of Studio operations including managing and supervising, restoration and renovation
projects, as well as the coordination of all phases of the craft associated with architectural arts and decorative interior schemes. Mr. Gruenke also served as: the President of the Stained Glass Association of America (SGAA) from June 2007 to June 2009; a Director of the SGAA Stained Glass School; a Director of the Western Great Lakes Chapter of the Association for Preservation Technology (APT) and as an APT International Board Member. His contributions to the field of stained glass have garnered the Distinguished Service Award 2010 from the Stained Glass Association of America for the Studio’s work to compile, edit and implement the "SGAA Recommendations for Safety in the Stained Glass Studio.”
. He has spoken on television news features and has addressed audiences including the Restoration & Renovation Conference, the NeoCon World’s Trade Fair, the Power of Paint and Coatings Conference, and at the Savannah College of Art and Design
.
Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame,
Notre Dame, Indiana
Hawaii Theatre
,
Honolulu, Hawaii
Citi Performing Arts Center
, Wang Theatre,
Boston, Massachusetts
Miller Brewing Company
,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
State Theatre,
Sandusky, Ohio
Ohio Theatre,
Columbus, Ohio
Ascension Lutheran Church,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Saint Francis Xavier
Vincennes, Indiana
St. Norbert's Church,
Roxbury, Wisconsin
Highland House
Madison, Wisconsin
French Lick Springs Hotel
,
French Lick, Indiana
St. Mary’s Catholic Church,
Salem, South Dakota
St. John Neumann Catholic Church,
Knoxville, Tennessee
Ottawa County Courthouse,
Port Clinton, Ohio
Broadmoor Hotel
,
Colorado Springs, Colorado
St. Mary’s Cathedral,
Colorado Springs, Colorado
St. Mary’s Church,
Burlington, Wisconsin
Sheridan Opera House,
Telluride, Colorado
Warner Theatre - Lobby,
Torrington, Connecticut
St. Christopher Catholic Church,
Hobe Sound, Florida
Springer Opera House
,
Columbus, Georgia
Assumption Church,
Chicago, Illinois
Drake Hotel,
Chicago, Illinois
Orchestra Hall,
Chicago, Illinois
Old Stone Church
,
Cleveland, Ohio
Roosevelt University – Ganz Hall,
Chicago, Illinois
St. Mary of the Angels Church,
Chicago, Illinois
St. Vincent DePaul,
Chicago, Illinois
St. Joseph’s Church,
Downers Grove, Illinois
Our Lady of Perpetual Help,
West Brooklyn, Illinois
Paramount Theatre Center,
Anderson, Indiana
Angola Post Office,
Indianapolis, Indiana
St. Mary Cathedral,
Lafayette, Indiana
West Baden Springs Hotel,
West Baden Springs, Indiana
Union Passenger Terminal,
New Orleans, Louisiana
Colonial Theatre,
Boston, Massachusetts
Bon Marche Building,
Lowell, Massachusetts
Michigan Theatre,
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Temple Theatre,
Saginaw, Michigan
Gillioz Theatre
,
Springfield, Missouri
St. Mary’s Basilica,
Natchez, Mississippi
Camden U.S. Courthouse,
Camden, New Jersey
Federal Reserve Bank-Sample,
Cleveland, Ohio
Broad Street Presbyterian Church,
Columbus, Ohio
Philadelphia City Hall
,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Rajah Theatre,
Reading, Pennsylvania
Paramount Theatre,
Charlottesville, Virginia
Lincoln Theatre,
Marion, Virginia
Mosque Theatre,
Richmond, Virginia
Al Ringling Theatre,
Baraboo, Wisconsin
Brown County Courthouse,
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Ozaukee Hospital,
Ozaukee, Wisconsin
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....
, his father, Bernard E. Gruenke
Bernard E. Gruenke
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.-Biography:...
, both nationally recognized ecclesiastical artists, as well as various fine artists from around the world. He studied Business Administration in college and graduated with a major in General Business and emphasis in Economics and Finance from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater.
B. Gunar Gruenke is the third generation owner and President of the internationally recognized 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,...
based in 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....
. Established in 1889, the architectural arts studio is one of Milwaukee's early pioneer businesses as witnessed at the Milwaukee Public Museum
Milwaukee Public Museum
The Milwaukee Public Museum is a natural and human history museum located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. The museum was chartered in 1882 and opened to the public in 1884; it is a not-for-profit organization operated by the Milwaukee Public Museum, Inc. MPM has three floors of exhibits...
in the "Streets of Old Milwaukee" permanent exhibit. The Studio’s collection of notable stained glass artwork is on display at the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows
Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows
The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows is a permanent exhibition which opened in February 2000 at Chicago’s Navy Pier entertainment complex. It is the first American museum dedicated solely to the art of stained glass windows....
at Navy Pier
Navy Pier
Navy Pier is a long pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. It is located in the Streeterville neighborhood of the Near North Side community area. The pier was built in 1916 at a cost of $4.5 million, equivalent to $ today. It was a part of the Plan of Chicago developed by architect and...
in Chicago. The art studio specializes in various techniques and procedures including the investigation and documentation of original decorative schemes, gilding
Gilding
The term gilding covers a number of decorative techniques for applying fine gold leaf or powder to solid surfaces such as wood, stone, or metal to give a thin coating of gold. A gilded object is described as "gilt"...
, glazing
Glazing
Glazing, which derives from the Middle English for 'glass', is a part of a wall or window, made of glass. Glazing also describes the work done by a professional "glazier"...
, marbleizing, scagliola
Scagliola
Scagliola , is a technique for producing stucco columns, sculptures, and other architectural elements that resemble inlays in marble and semi-precious stones...
and stencil
Stencil
A stencil is a thin sheet of material, such as paper, plastic, or metal, with letters or a design cut from it, used to produce the letters or design on an underlying surface by applying pigment through the cut-out holes in the material. The key advantage of a stencil is that it can be reused to...
ing as well as the new design, replication or conservation of 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...
and mural
Mural
A mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture.-History:Murals of...
s.
He has made his life’s work to carry on the tradition his father and grandfather have passed down. Mr. Gruenke oversees all facets of Studio operations including managing and supervising, restoration and renovation
Renovation
Renovation is the process of improving a structure. Two prominent types of renovations are commercial and residential.-Process:The process of a renovation, however complex, can usually be broken down into several processes...
projects, as well as the coordination of all phases of the craft associated with architectural arts and decorative interior schemes. Mr. Gruenke also served as: the President of the Stained Glass Association of America (SGAA) from June 2007 to June 2009; a Director of the SGAA Stained Glass School; a Director of the Western Great Lakes Chapter of the Association for Preservation Technology (APT) and as an APT International Board Member. His contributions to the field of stained glass have garnered the Distinguished Service Award 2010 from the Stained Glass Association of America for the Studio’s work to compile, edit and implement the "SGAA Recommendations for Safety in the Stained Glass Studio.”
Gruenke Foundation for the Arts
B. Gunar Gruenke sits on the Board of Directors of the Gruenke Foundation for the Arts. This 501c3 Not For Profit organization founded in 1996 is dedicated to the education of the arts to the general public. The foundation's roots can be traced back to 1991 when it was first established. The Gruenke Foundation for the Arts curates an historic collection of fine art. The collection ranges from 1893 World's Trades Fair Exposition Mosaics to a Gregorio Vasarri painting from the early 16th century. Mr Gruenke is leading the foundation in currently applying to the Getty Foundation for a grant to Conserve the 1893 Exposition mosaics and have them curated within an international traveling exhibit.Published Works and Presentations
Mr. Gruenke has authored numerous publications on stained glass as well as written articles on decorative arts for trade publications such as: Claims Magazine, Adoremus Bulletin, Church & Worship Technology, Your Church, Stained Glass Quarterly, Journal of Architectural Coatings, PaintPro Magazine, Traditional Building Magazine, Church Executive Magazine, PWC: Painting and Wallcovering Contractor, Religious Product News, Globe West, Quantum Publishing, the Waukesha Freeman, and The Milwaukee Journal SentinelMilwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is a daily morning broadsheet printed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. It is the primary newspaper in Milwaukee, the largest newspaper in Wisconsin and is distributed widely throughout the state...
. He has spoken on television news features and has addressed audiences including the Restoration & Renovation Conference, the NeoCon World’s Trade Fair, the Power of Paint and Coatings Conference, and at the Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah College of Art and Design
SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design, is a private, accredited and degree-granting university with locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, Hong Kong, and Lacoste, France.-History:...
.
Historic Projects
Following is a partial list of samples, partial or full projects that Gunar has supervised and managed:Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame,
Notre Dame, Indiana
Hawaii Theatre
Hawaii Theatre
The Hawaii Theatre is a historic Vaudeville theatre and cinema in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii. It is listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places....
,
Honolulu, Hawaii
Citi Performing Arts Center
Citi Performing Arts Center
The Citi Performing Arts Center is located in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. It consists of two theatres, Wang Theatre and Shubert Theatre, both of which are neighbors, on Tremont Street, in Boston's Theatre District...
, Wang Theatre,
Boston, Massachusetts
Miller Brewing Company
Miller Brewing Company
The Miller Brewing Company is an American beer brewing company owned by the United Kingdom-based SABMiller. Its regional headquarters are located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the company has brewing facilities in Albany, Georgia; Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; Eden, North Carolina; Fort Worth, Texas;...
,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
State Theatre,
Sandusky, Ohio
Ohio Theatre,
Columbus, Ohio
Ascension Lutheran Church,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Saint Francis Xavier
Vincennes, Indiana
St. Norbert's Church,
Roxbury, Wisconsin
Highland House
Madison, Wisconsin
French Lick Springs Hotel
French Lick Springs Hotel
The French Lick Springs Hotel is a historic resort hotel complex, now a part of the French Lick Resort Casino.The location was originally known as the French Lick Springs Hotel, a grand resort that catered to those who came to partake of the advertised healing properties of the town's sulfur...
,
French Lick, Indiana
St. Mary’s Catholic Church,
Salem, South Dakota
St. John Neumann Catholic Church,
Knoxville, Tennessee
Ottawa County Courthouse,
Port Clinton, Ohio
Broadmoor Hotel
Broadmoor Hotel
The Broadmoor is a 5-star/5-diamond luxury hotel and resort, located in southwestern Colorado Springs, Colorado. Built in the early 20th century as the "Grand Dame of the Rockies", it was one of the finest resort destinations along the Rocky Mountains during the age of railroads. It continues to be...
,
Colorado Springs, Colorado
St. Mary’s Cathedral,
Colorado Springs, Colorado
St. Mary’s Church,
Burlington, Wisconsin
Sheridan Opera House,
Telluride, Colorado
Warner Theatre - Lobby,
Torrington, Connecticut
St. Christopher Catholic Church,
Hobe Sound, Florida
Springer Opera House
Springer Opera House
The Springer Opera House is a historic live performance theater located in Downtown Columbus, Georgia. First opened February 21, 1871, the theater was named the State Theatre of Georgia by Governor Jimmy Carter for its 100th anniversary season, a designation made permanent by the 1992 state...
,
Columbus, Georgia
Assumption Church,
Chicago, Illinois
Drake Hotel,
Chicago, Illinois
Orchestra Hall,
Chicago, Illinois
Old Stone Church
Old Stone Church
Old Stone Church may refer to:In Canada:* Old Stone Church In the United States :* Old Stone Church , listed on the NRHP in Massachusetts...
,
Cleveland, Ohio
Roosevelt University – Ganz Hall,
Chicago, Illinois
St. Mary of the Angels Church,
Chicago, Illinois
St. Vincent DePaul,
Chicago, Illinois
St. Joseph’s Church,
Downers Grove, Illinois
Our Lady of Perpetual Help,
West Brooklyn, Illinois
Paramount Theatre Center,
Anderson, Indiana
Angola Post Office,
Indianapolis, Indiana
St. Mary Cathedral,
Lafayette, Indiana
West Baden Springs Hotel,
West Baden Springs, Indiana
Union Passenger Terminal,
New Orleans, Louisiana
Colonial Theatre,
Boston, Massachusetts
Bon Marche Building,
Lowell, Massachusetts
Michigan Theatre,
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Temple Theatre,
Saginaw, Michigan
Gillioz Theatre
Gillioz Theatre
The Gillioz Theatre was built by M. E. Gillioz of Monett, Missouri. Mr. Gillioz was in the business of building bridges, and the theater was built with steel and concrete. Wood was only used for handrails, doors, and doorframes. The original cost of the building was only $300,000. Renovation was...
,
Springfield, Missouri
St. Mary’s Basilica,
Natchez, Mississippi
Camden U.S. Courthouse,
Camden, New Jersey
Federal Reserve Bank-Sample,
Cleveland, Ohio
Broad Street Presbyterian Church,
Columbus, Ohio
Philadelphia City Hall
Philadelphia City Hall
Philadelphia City Hall is the house of government for the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At , including the statue, it is the world's second-tallest masonry building, only shorter than Mole Antonelliana in Turin...
,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Rajah Theatre,
Reading, Pennsylvania
Paramount Theatre,
Charlottesville, Virginia
Lincoln Theatre,
Marion, Virginia
Mosque Theatre,
Richmond, Virginia
Al Ringling Theatre,
Baraboo, Wisconsin
Brown County Courthouse,
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Ozaukee Hospital,
Ozaukee, Wisconsin