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The Hans
Christensen Sterling Silversmith's Award
2001 Award Winner:
William N. Frederick
     
Frederick was chosen from
nominations sent to this year's selection committee: Bernard
Bernstein, SAS Artisan; Harold Schremmer, SAS Artisan & last
year’s Award winner; Munya Avigail Upin, SAS Artisan; and
advisor: Jeffrey Herman, SAS Executive Director.
Harold Schremmer, the 2000
award winner and member of the 2001 selection committee: After
three days of looking over the extensive collection of photos and
other information in the SAS archives, I am content that a
comprehensive search has been made comparing the work of many
eligible silversmiths for the 2001 Hans Christensen Sterling
Silversmithing Award.
William Frederick most admirably
meets every criteria.
After hours of comparing one
silversmith to another—and there are certainly at least six who
deserved the very closest scrutiny—I finally concentrating on
this smaller number of the truly gifted. I then waited another week
and returned to the SAS archives twice to again review this selected group.
I was overwhelmed by the
extraordinary number of consistently high quality pieces created over
the years by Bill Frederick. He has been a self-employed silversmith
doing creative, innovative pieces. I think Bill Frederick represents
the best of what the SAS was originally founded to accomplish—to
recognize and encourage those who have worked all their lives,
initially without publicity, academic honors or fame, but rather
persistently striving to develop and excel in their work.
As a returning veteran, Bill was
at a loss as to what he could or should do. Choosing silversmithing
as his livelihood, his years of engineering study would prove to be
of tremendous importance.
Bill's design and problem solving
mastery are even more astounding when you realize the extensive range
and number of these unique pieces he has created. He has worked with
a surprising variety of materials and techniques, each perfectly
suited to the unique demands of the particular commission. Bill
Frederick's creative efforts span from elaborate ecclesiastic silver,
to tea sets, maces for universities, trophies, and candle holders
just to name a few. Each of these challenges was accomplished with
his own individual vitality and force of character.
Jeffrey Herman, SAS Executive
Director and advisor
to the 2001
selection committee: William Frederick may be one of the least
known silversmiths in the country. He hasn't taught in 25 years,
doesn't show his work in galleries or craft shows, and has a two-page
resume. Bill is a professional silversmith.
He has been an Artisan member of
SAS since its inception in 1989, and he continually impresses me with
not only his work, but also his work ethic. Unlike many silversmiths
who prefer to only produce their own designs, Bill also accepts many
projects without question. If a customer comes to him with very
specific needs, even blueprints of designs that are not quite his
aesthetic, his pride won't stop him from producing that piece. He
caters to his customers, and word spreads quickly. This is why Bill
has always been busy, sometimes overwhelmed.
He is a designer and maker of
utilitarian silver; objects that can actually be used and not just
displayed in a glass case. His pieces are heavy and made to last for
generations. Very few silversmiths invite the difficult task of
making reproductions-it's simply another service to his customers.
His work has always been in high demand by the church and collectors
who appreciate not only his skill as a silversmith, but also Bill's
reputation for getting their jobs out on time.
This is what has made this
79-year-old so successful in his 45 years as a silversmith. I have
known William Frederick since 1989. We talk on a regular basis about
the struggles of being a silversmith in the computer age and his
backlog of commissions. SAS maintains 160 slides of his work in
silver, a vary small number of his total output. No, his work won't
be found in every major museum, or in major craft magazines, nor does
he care. He has no ego and his unassuming demeanor has always
impressed me. From ornate jewelry to the most technically difficult
holloware, Bill continues to challenge himself He has created more
objects than any silversmith I know, and he perseveres at a fever
pitch, even at 79.
William Frederick is the epitome
of a professional silversmith, someone aspiring students and other
professionals could learn a great deal from. He truly deserves a
lifetime achievement award.
Willian
N. Frederick
Education
1959:
MFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL
1958:
Rochester Institute of Technology, NY
1953:
BFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL
1946:
BS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
1942-1943:
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
1939-1941:
BA Diploma, Gallagher School of Business, Kankakee, IL
Teaching
1977:
Handforming silver demonstration during Chicago Metalsmiths
Exhibition, Chicago Historical Society, IL
1976-1977:
Metalsmithing Instructor, Columbia College, Chicago, IL
1974-1978:
Lecturer in Fine Arts, Metalwork and Jewelry, Loyola University,
Chicago, IL
1954-1960:
Instructor of Mathematics, Physics, Metal Design, Product Design,
and Metalsmithing, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL
Awards
1999:
"Niche Award" finalist-Judaica catagory (hanukkah lamp)
1997-1998:
"Visual Arts Awards," Modurn Liturgy Magazine (honorable
mention-sterling hannukah lamp)
"Bene
Award," Visual Arts Awards, Modern Liturgy Magazine ((sterling chalice)
1994:
"Visual Arts Awards," Modern Liturgy Magazine (honorable
mention-sterling chalice)
1993:
"Visual Arts Awards," Modern Liturgy Magazine (honorable
mention-sterling chalice)
1992:
"Bene Award," Visual Arts Awards, Modern Liturgy Magazine
(sterling book cover)
1990:
"Visual Arts Awards," Modern Liturgy Magazine (honorable
mention-sterling chalice)
1986:
"Sacred Arts Eight," Billy Graham Center Museum, Wheaton,
IL (honorable mention-sterling lectionary cover)
1985:
"Sacred Arts Seven," Billy Graham Center Museum, Wheaton,
IL (honorable mention-sterling chalice)
1974:
"The Goldsmith Exhibition," Smithsonian
Institution-Renwick Gallery, Minnesota Museum of Art (merit award)
1964:
"Fr. Totte Memorial Award," Biennial Religious Art
Exhibition, Detroit, MI
1960:
"Annual Decorative Arts and Ceramics Exhibition," Wichita
Art Association (silversmithing award)
1958:
"Sterling Today," Competition, Sterling Silversmiths Guild
of America Medal
Museum
Exhibitions (juried & invitational)
1977:
Chicago Historical Society, IL (one man show)
1975:
West Texas Museum Association, Lubbock
1974:
Minnesota Museum of Art, St. Paul
Smithsonian
Institution, Renwick Gallery, Washington, DC
1964:
Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, TX
1961:
The Art Institute of Chicago, IL (one man show)
1960:
Chicago Museum of Natural History, IL
American Craft
Museum, New York, NY
Group
Exhibitions (juried & invitational)
2000:
"Magic & Ritual," Hannukkiahs Seen Through
Contemporary Eyes," Nathan D. Rosen Museum Gallery, Boca Raton, FL
1999:
"Magic & Ritual," Hannukkiahs Seen Through
Contemporary Eyes," Steinbaum Krauss Gallery, New York, NY
"Artisans in
Silver: Enduring Traditions Through the Next Millennium," an
exhibition of the Society of American Silversmiths, National
Ornamental Metal Museum, Memphis, TN
1997-1998:
Artisans in Silver: Judaica Today, a traveling exhibition of the
Society of American Silversmiths, National Ornamental Metal Museum,
Memphis, TN; Hebrew Union College Skirball Museum, Cincinnati, OH;
Yeshiva University Museum, New York, NY; Carnegie Museum of Art,
Pittsburgh, PA; Minneapolis Institute of 	Arts, Minneapolis;
Mitchell Museum, Mt. Vernon, IL
1995-1996:
"British & American Contemporary Servers," Goldsmiths'
Hall, Foster Lane, London, England; National Ornamental Metal Museum,
Memphis, TN
1995:
"Artisans in Silver: The Vase," a traveling exhibition of
the Society of American Silversmiths, National Ornamental Metal
Museum, Memphis, TN; Arkansas Arts Center Decorative Arts Museum,
Little Rock, AR; The Newark Museum, NJ
"Images of
the Holy," Baker Memorial Methodist Church, St. Charles, IL
"Contemporary
Servers Collection," Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths,
Goldsmiths Hall, London, England
1994:
"Artisans In Silver 1994," a traveling exhibition of the
Society of American Silversmiths, National Ornamental Metal Museum,
Memphis, TN; Fuller Museum of Art, Brockton, MA; Muscarelle Museum of
Art, Williamsburg, VA
1993:
"Artisans In Silver 1993," a traveling exhibition of the
Society of American Silversmiths, Georgia State University Art
Gallery, Atlanta; National Ornamental Metal Museum, Memphis, TN;
Pritam & Eames, East Hampton, NY
Tesoro Gallery, an
exhibition of the Society of American Silversmiths, Los Angeles, CA
1992:
"A Sterling Exhibition," a traveling exhibition of the
Society of American Silversmiths, National Ornamental Metal Museum,
Memphis, TN; Pritam & Eames, East Hampton, NY; Worcester Center
for Crafts, MA
1990:
"Reflections of the Past and Present: Contemporary American
Silver," The Society of Arts & Crafts, Boston, MA, an
exhibition of the Society of American Silversmiths
1989:
"XI Biennial Exhibition," Liturgical Art Guild of Ohio, Columbus
1986:
"Sacred Arts Eight," Billy Graham Museum, Wheaton, IL
1985:
"Sacred Arts Seven," Billy Graham Museum, Wheaton, IL
Sacred Arts
Exhibit, Northern Illinois Conference, Methodist Church, Northern
Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
"Present Day
Illinois Folk Arts," Springfield Art Association, IL
"IX Biennial
Exhibition,"Liturgical Arts Guild of Ohio, Columbus
1984:
"Form/Reform," Bismark Hotel, Chicago, IL
1983:
"Illini Metal," Bradley University, Peoria, IL
1981:
Religious & Liturgical Art, Liturgical Conference, Chicago, IL
1979:
Calumet College, Whiting, IN
Loyola University,
Chicago, IL (one-man show)
1977:
Copper, Brass, & Bronze Exhibition, University of Arizona Museum
of Art, Tucson
1970:
Edward Sherbeyn Gallery, Chicago, IL (one-man show)
Clark Arts Center,
Rockford College, Rockford, IL
1969:
Sneed-Hillman Galleries, Rockford, IL
1966:
Benjamin Galleries, Chicago, IL
1963:
Mundelein College, Chicago, IL
1962,1972:
Chicago Public Library, IL (one-man show)
1961:
Loyola University, Chicago, IL, also '61, '74, '75, '76, '77
1960:
American Federation of Arts Traveling Exhibition
1957:
Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN (one-man show)
1956:
Cardijn Center, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI (one-man show)
1955:
Christocentric Festival, University of IL, Champaign
Corporate
Commissions
1994:
President's Chain of Office, Loyola University, Chicago, IL
1984:
The Great Mace, American College of Surgeons
1977:
Quality Dealer Award, Time Magazine
1976:
Coeur d'Or Award, Chicago Heart Association
1975:
Norin Corporation Presentation Awards, First National Bank of Chicago
1973:
The Vardon Cup, Club Professional Player of the Year Award,
PGA/Victor Golf
1972:
The John Courtney Murray Award, Catholic Theological Society of America
Articles
& Publications
2001:
"Basket, Basin, Plate, and Cup," Liturgy Training
Publications, Chicago, IL
2000:
Contemporary Silver," Seymour rabinovitch, Merrill Publishers
Ltd, London, England
1992:
Designing for the Table, Michael Wolk, PBC International, NY
1987:
Arcadia Edizion, "Steel & Style," Patrizia Scarzella,
Milan, Italy
1979:
Fine Trades, Suzanne Seed, Follette
1977:
Chicago Metalsmiths (1804-1970), Sharon Darling, Chicago Historical Society
Midwest Magazine,
"Silver Streak," Robert H. Bradford, (Chicago Sun-Times)
1975:
Chicago Tribune Magazine, "White Collar Dropout," Donald Kerwin
1964:
Motive Magazine, "William Frederick, Liturgical
Silversmith," Margaret Rigg
Memberships
Juried Artisan,
Society of American Silversmiths
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