Jack Schmidt
Toledo, Ohio
Artist Biography
Jack Schmidt received his B.S. degree from Bowling Green State University (Ohio) before receiving his M.S. from Illinois University (Urbana-Champaign) in 1973. Schmidt opened his own studio in Toledo (Ohio) in 1981, where he still works, creating the glass and metal sculptures which he exhibits throughout the world in both solo and group exhibitions.
His exhibitions include Evolution-Revolution at The Baker Museum (formerly Naples Museum of Art, Florida); Studio Glass at The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Quebec, Canada); numerous group and solo exhibitions at Habatat Galleries (Royal Oak, Michigan) where he is represented, as well as Contemporary Crafts and the Saxe Collection, a traveling exhibition organized by the Toledo Museum of Art (Ohio) which also was installed in the Saint Louis Art Museum (Missouri), the former Newport Harbor Art Museum (Newport Beach, California) and the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (Washington, D.C.).
In addition to his fine art work, Schmidt has taught at numerous prestigious institutions, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Ohio University (Athens); the Cleveland Institute of Art (Ohio); California State University, Chico; the Pilchuck Glass School (Stanwood, Washington) and Penland School of Crafts (North Carolina).
Schmidt’s work is included in many permanent museum collections, including the Bellerive Museum (Zürich, Switzerland), Chubu Institute of Technology (Nagoya, Japan), the Corning Museum of Glass (New York), the Detroit Institute of Art (Michigan), the Milwaukee Arts Center (Wisconsin), the School for the American Craftsmen (Rochester, New York), the Smithsonian American Art Museum (Washington, D.C.), Toledo Museum of Art and National Museum of American Art (Washington, D.C.).
His professional affiliations include the American Crafts Council, the International Sculpture Center, Ohio Designer Craftsmen, the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo and the Glass Arts Society, of which he was a founding member. In 1995, he was the recipient of the Glass Art Society’s Honorary Lifetime Membership Award and in 2015, he was inducted in the College of Fine Art Hall of Fame at Illinois State University (Normal, Illinois).
A frequent exhibitor at 20 North Gallery and friend of the late Art Director Peggy Grant, Schmidt generously provided his expertise in assisting her to value her private glass art collection, prior to her death. Schmidt’s work has appeared in Glass Month (1996, 1997), Contemporary Glass Toledo (2000), Contemporary Glass (2004), The Studio Glass Movement: The First Generation – Tom McGlauchlin & Jack Schmidt (2005), Gallery Artists Group (2005) and Tom & Friends: Celebrating McGlauchlin’s Legacy in Glass (2012).
To learn more about Jack Schmidt’s artistic career and professional history, visit his page on the Smithsonian American Art Museum website at americanart.si.edu.
Artist Statement
Silver Lady and Satin Lady on Table
Years ago, I went to see a Claes Oldenburg exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago. I returned to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I was a visiting artist teaching glass and design, and produced a small edition of soft vessels blown with a soft white glass—melted skin care bottles. The pieces had a pillow-like feel. The small Satin Lady on Table (“Dancing Lady”) and Silver Lady represent a return to those concepts inspired by Oldenburg’s soft sculpture.
Jack Schmidt’s previous 20 North Gallery exhibits:
For purchase inquiries, please contact 20 North Gallery:
419-241-2400 or info@20northgallery.com