The Observation Deck

http://blog.cleveland.com/plaindealer/2 ... 62008.html

A web site of his work. http://www.viktorschreckengost.org/

I was sad to see the headlines of the PD this morning indicating that Viktor Schreckengost had died. He was such an inspiration to young artists in NE Ohio.

He took the time to inspire them. At CIA he would visit the students. even after he retired to inspire them and walk or be wheeled in later years through their shows and talk to them about their work. He attended my daughters graduation. He was always there to talk to them.

When my son participated in the Senior art show at Lakewood HS, Viktor came and gave out the awards and talked to all the students. He joked with them and inspired them. This was only 4 years ago - so he was 96 at the time.

For those of you that don't know him - he created the Johnny Appleseed on the Lakewood HS. He basically created the field of industrial design.

A few years back they held a show on his work at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Very few of us have not been touched by some of his design work - which is incredible to say for an artist.

Mr. Schreckengost was a wonderful man. The students in Ms. Bluemel's class at Grant had the opportunity to work closely with him through the years. His memory will live on through a student ran foundation they set up a few years back. The foundation gives funds for art programs. I know that my kids think very highly of him and are very impressed by all he did in his lifetime. He was not only an extremely talented artist but an amazing inventor. What a legacy he has left. While it is always a bit sad when someone dies, the fact is he had a very full life and I am glad he was able to touch the lives of my children.

He was definitely a true genius. It's sad to see him go...

An example of his outdoor sculpture sits atop the entry to the Lakewood Civic Auditorium. Johnny Appleseed has been the subject of many a debate but the beauty of the work has never been in dispute.

Here's another well known example:



http://tinyurl.com/yvw6nm

Also, the Rocky River library, in the Cowan collection, has one of Schreckengost's original Jazz bowls.

Unbeknownst to many, the beautiful wood carving that adorns the south wall of the L-Room at Lakewood High School is also a Schreckengost carving.

I didn't realize until much later in life what an important part of my life Viktor Schreckengost's work played. His work was as much a part of the wonder of the zoo as the amazing animals his art paid tribute too. His reliefs made my childhood visits to the zoo a more respectful experience. They made me feel like I was entering the home of the animals, a place of respect and dignity, and something not felt at other zoos. And to this day, when I see those reliefs I'm transported back to those childhood trips to the zoo he helped to make a more wondrous place.

His art still lives...and I hope always lives...at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and throughout our community.

Shame to see him go - when I had the pleasure of meeting him he was friendly, shaking everyone's hand who wanted to meet him.