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About the Gruenke Foundation for the Arts
The foundation serves to nurture artists, just as Chairperson, Bernard O. Gruenke, was supported by Ms. Marie Kohler so many decades ago. As a young man, he received a scholarship from Ms. Kohler, of the Kohler Company to attend the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C. Afterwards, he joined and later purchased the renowned national art studio, Conrad Schmitt Studios, and went on to provide murals, stained glass and decorating for hundreds of churches, theatres and public buildings throughout the United States. Now, three generations of the Gruenke family who operate the foundation are committed to giving back. The foundation acts in a number of ways. Gruenke Foundation officers give tours and lectures to people of all ages to advance the understanding and appreciation of fine art. The organization can receive donations in forms of time, money, or artwork to be displayed. Monetary funds donated to the Gruenke Foundation benefit art school scholarships, community theater foundations or the conservation of historic artwork in the care of the foundation. In the course of our work over many decades, the Foundation has had numerous opportunities to acquire excellent artwork in a variety of media. Shown here are a couple of color photographs of several pieces to give you an idea of the high quality of these works, both in terms of design and execution. Their condition is fair to poor, and they would require some conservation or restoration work before they could be displayed. The organization is interested in displaying art works in public museums, art galleries, and charitable organizations.