Robert C. Fritz
Encyclopedia
Robert C. Fritz was an American ceramics and glass artist and professor at San Jose State University
in California. As a major player in America’s mid 20th century studio glass movement, Dr. Robert Fritz is remembered for his contributions to the world of art.
. In 1964 Fritz received a scholarship from Harvey Littleton
to participate in a four-week glass seminar at the University of Wisconsin. Russell Day was also in attendance; Marvin Lipofsky
, a student of Littleton's who later founded a glass program at the University of California, Berkeley, assisted with demonstrations. Shortly before the seminar, Fritz attended the World Congress of Craftsmen, which was held at Columbia University in New York City. There he watched Littleton and his students demonstrate glassblowing on a furnace designed and constructed by Dominick Labino
. Fritz also met glass artist Sam Herman at this time.
The 1960s studio glass movement
was born in 1962 when Harvey Littleton conducted a workshop at the Toledo Museum of Art with Dominic Labino and others. It was Littleton’s intention to, as he put it, "suggest the dimensions of glass as a medium for the artist." In the summer of 1964 Littleton and his German colleague, Erwin Eisch
, co-taught a glass course at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; Fritz was one of their students.
where he founded the SJSU glass art department, one of the first colleges in the nation to have such a program.
At the same time he started the California Glass Exchange, along with George Jercich of California Polytechnic State University
in San Luis Obispo, CA. The California Glass Exchange is a web-based regional exchange of ideas in glass art.
Glass art created by Fritz during the 1960s to 1980s is signed “FRITZ”. His work is remarkable in form and imagination, using difficult techniques approachable only by masters of the art.
and the private collections of Ted Kennedy
, Tom Harkin
, Ron Wyden
and more throughout the U.S., Europe, and Japan.
San José State University
San Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
in California. As a major player in America’s mid 20th century studio glass movement, Dr. Robert Fritz is remembered for his contributions to the world of art.
Education
Fritz attended San Jose State University from 1950 to 1956, where he was awarded the Bachelor of Art and Master of Art. He received his PhD at Ohio State UniversityOhio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
. In 1964 Fritz received a scholarship from Harvey Littleton
Harvey Littleton
Harvey Littleton is an American educator and glass artist. Born in Corning, New York, he grew up in the shadow of Corning Glassworks, where his father headed Research and Development during the 1930s...
to participate in a four-week glass seminar at the University of Wisconsin. Russell Day was also in attendance; Marvin Lipofsky
Marvin Lipofsky
Marvin Lipofsky is an American glass artist. He was one of the six students that Studio Glass founder Harvey Littleton instructed under an independent study program for the University of Wisconsin-Madison in fall 1962 and spring 1963...
, a student of Littleton's who later founded a glass program at the University of California, Berkeley, assisted with demonstrations. Shortly before the seminar, Fritz attended the World Congress of Craftsmen, which was held at Columbia University in New York City. There he watched Littleton and his students demonstrate glassblowing on a furnace designed and constructed by Dominick Labino
Dominick Labino
Dominick Labino Dominick Labino was an internationally-known scientist, inventor, artist and master craftsman in glass. Labino's art works in glass are in the permanent collections of more than 100 museums throughout the world...
. Fritz also met glass artist Sam Herman at this time.
The 1960s studio glass movement
American craft
American craft is an entity of the American contribution to the family of artistic practices conducted by independent studio artists. In this case Studio Craft artists work specifically with traditional craft materials and/or processes such as wood, woodworking or furniture making, glass or...
was born in 1962 when Harvey Littleton conducted a workshop at the Toledo Museum of Art with Dominic Labino and others. It was Littleton’s intention to, as he put it, "suggest the dimensions of glass as a medium for the artist." In the summer of 1964 Littleton and his German colleague, Erwin Eisch
Erwin Eisch
Erwin Eisch is a German artist who works with glass. He is also a painter, draughtsman and printmaker. With that of his friend and colleague in glass, Harvey Littleton, Eisch's work in glass embodies the ideas of the international Studio Glass movement...
, co-taught a glass course at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; Fritz was one of their students.
Teaching
In the mid 1960s Fritz turned his energies to teaching art at San Jose State UniversitySan José State University
San Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
where he founded the SJSU glass art department, one of the first colleges in the nation to have such a program.
At the same time he started the California Glass Exchange, along with George Jercich of California Polytechnic State University
California Polytechnic State University
California Polytechnic State University, or Cal Poly, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, United States. The university is one of two polytechnic campuses in the 23-member California State University system....
in San Luis Obispo, CA. The California Glass Exchange is a web-based regional exchange of ideas in glass art.
Legacy
Today’s talented glass art students receive scholarships and honors in Dr. Robert Fritz’s name. Many contemporary artists boast tutelage under Dr. Fritz on their resumes.Glass art created by Fritz during the 1960s to 1980s is signed “FRITZ”. His work is remarkable in form and imagination, using difficult techniques approachable only by masters of the art.
Collections
His glass art masterpieces can be found in the Smithsonian, Renwick GalleryRenwick Gallery
The Renwick Gallery is a branch of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, located in Washington, D.C., and focuses on American craft and decorative arts from the 19th century to the 21st century...
and the private collections of Ted Kennedy
Ted Kennedy
Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy was a United States Senator from Massachusetts and a member of the Democratic Party. Serving almost 47 years, he was the second most senior member of the Senate when he died and is the fourth-longest-serving senator in United States history...
, Tom Harkin
Tom Harkin
Thomas Richard "Tom" Harkin is the junior United States Senator from Iowa and a member of the Democratic Party. He previously served in the United States House of Representatives ....
, Ron Wyden
Ron Wyden
Ronald Lee "Ron" Wyden is the senior U.S. Senator for Oregon, serving since 1996, and a member of the Democratic Party. He previously served in the United States House of Representatives from 1981 to 1996....
and more throughout the U.S., Europe, and Japan.