Walter S. Arnold (born in Chicago, Illinois) is an American stone carver and sculptor best known for his gargoyles.

Walter S. Arnold
Born
NationalityAmerican
EducationPietrasanta, Italy
Known forSculpture, Stone carving
Websitestonecarver.com

Biography

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Arnold began carving stone at the age of twelve in his hometown of Hyde Park/Kenwood, a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois. At twenty, he began training as an apprentice in the marble studios of Pietrasanta, Italy.

Following his training under master stone carvers in Italy, Arnold spent five years from 1980-1985 working on the Washington National Cathedral in D.C.,[1][2] and then established his studio in Chicago in 1985. He is fluent in styles ranging from Classical and Renaissance to Gothic, Baroque and Arts & Crafts. Known especially for his gargoyles, Arnold also creates unique fireplaces, fountains, architectural carvings and sculpture for private residences, institutions and commercial buildings throughout the United States and Canada.

The Art Institute of Chicago,[3] University of Chicago,[4][5] Boston University, and the Chicago Architecture Foundation,[6] are just a few of the nationally recognized universities, museums and organizations that have invited Arnold to present lectures on the history, technique and application of architectural and sculptural stone carving. In October 2009, he was elected to his fourth term as president of Stone Carvers Guild of America. Arnold designed and created his web site in 1994. In 2009, his book "Staglieno: The Art of the Marble Carver" was published by Edgecliff Press, LLC.[7][8][9][10]

Projects

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National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.,(1980–1985) Frederick Hart's west front tympanum sculptural triptych, "The Creation", ninety gargoyles, grotesques, and column capitals[11][12]

Harold Washington Social Security Center, Chicago, IL, Memorial Sculpture to the late Chicago Mayor, Harold Washington

Chicago Park District, IL Memorial Sculpture to the late Chicago Mayor, Harold Washington

Commonwealth Edison substation, Chicago, IL, Neoclassical tympanum

The Medici, Chicago, IL (restaurant/student hangout on 57th, near the University of Chicago) Gothic limestone façade[13]

Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL Large relief panels for the North and South entries of the Helen Brach Primate House[14]

(former) Chicago House of Blues Hotel lobby Four 12-foot-tall (3.7 m) Telamones sculptures

Driehaus Capital Management, Chicago, IL Massive carved Romanesque fountain

Citadel Center, Chicago, IL Winged Victory of Samothrace a.k.a. Nike, cast resin with gold leaf[15]

Chicago Board of Trade, IL Six Art Deco relief panels for the restoration of the Chicago Board of Trade Building[16]

Museum exhibitions

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One man exhibits:

Group exhibits:

  • Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, Oak Brook, IL 2023
  • Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago, IL, 1999, "Rock, Paper, Scissors: A 'battle' of works in stone, paper and metal"[22]

Museum collections

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  • Cambodian American Heritage Museum, Chicago, IL
  • Spertus Museum, Chicago, IL
  • Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden, Winter Park, FL[19]
  • Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis, IN
  • Museo dei Bozzetti, Pietrasanta, Italy[23]
  • Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Public work

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  • Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL[24]
  • University of California, Berkeley, CA
  • University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
  • Loyola University, Chicago, IL
  • Chicago Park District, Chicago, IL – works installed in 6 parks[25]
  • Harold Washington Social Security Center, Chicago, IL
  • Somerset County Nature Preserve, NJ
  • Village of Lincolnwood, IL
  • St. Mary's Church in Riverside, IL
  • City of Aurora, IL[26]
  • Bowdoin College, ME
  • St. Helena Catholic Church, St. Helena, CA

His work in architectural restoration includes carvings for the Chicago Tribune Tower, the United States Capitol, the White House, The Field Museum of Natural History, The Chicago Board of Trade, and other historic buildings.[27][23]

References

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  1. ^ "Images of Walter S. Arnold's Washington National Cathedral carvings". Stonecarver.com. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  2. ^ Solberg, Marvin A. (2006). "Washington D.C. Sights - Walter Arnold". Archived from the original on November 21, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  3. ^ ""Lecture: Set in Stone: The Art of Carving" by Walter S. Arnold". Art Institute of Chicago. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012.
  4. ^ "University of Chicago article "Cast In Stone" references Walter Arnold's biographical information, and a lecture and demonstration he gave during the 2008 Festival of Arts". Uchiblogo.uchicago.edu. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  5. ^ "The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago - reference to an educational carving demonstration led by Walter Arnold". Oi.uchicago.edu. February 7, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  6. ^ Chicago Architecture Foundation Media Release with lecture listing. There have been additional lectures and demonstrations since.[dead link]
  7. ^ Arnold, Walter S. Staglieno: The Art of the Marble Carver, Cincinnati: Edgecliff Press, LLC. 2009. Print. 88 pp. ISBN 978-0-9819271-4-5, LCCN: 2009933242. Much of Walter Arnold's biographical information can be corroborated with his biography in this published book.
  8. ^ "Staglieno: The Art of the Marble Carver". Stonecarver.com. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  9. ^ "Stone Quarries and Beyond list of stone industry resources references Walter Arnold's book". Quarriesandbeyond.org. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  10. ^ "Anatomically Correct, Art in Alternative Spaces and Steppenwolf Theatre presented the exhibition, Rock, Paper, Scissors: A "battle" of works in stone, paper and metal, and reference Walter Arnold's biographical information". Anatomicallycorrect.org. August 29, 1999. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  11. ^ "Stone Sculpture|Sculptures|Statues|Animal Sculpture|Statue|Made USA". Stonecarver.com. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  12. ^ "Washington National Cathedral pamphlet describing Frederick Hart's Creation tympanum" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 17, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  13. ^ "University of Chicago - reference to Walter Arnold's stone carvings on the Medici facade". Uchiblogo.uchicago.edu. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  14. ^ Blum, Hester. "Mahoney, Diana Phillips "More than just monkey business. (design of portals at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo's primate house)." Computer Graphics World 01, Nov. 1992. Print". Accessmylibrary.com. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  15. ^ "Image of Winged Victory at Citadel Center". Chicago /: Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  16. ^ "Images of Art Deco panels". Stonecarver.com. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  17. ^ "Daily Herald Calendar of Events". Dailyherald.com. April 17, 2008. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  18. ^ ""Upcoming Events" Planetary Studies Foundation News 18.1, (Spring 2008) 12" (PDF). Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  19. ^ a b "Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens". The Saatchi Gallery. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  20. ^ "Polasek Calendar - February 2007, Thursday". Albin Polasek Foundation. Archived from the original on July 6, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  21. ^ "Orlando Weekly". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved November 12, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  22. ^ "Anatomically Correct, Art in Alternative Spaces and Steppenwolf Theatre presented the exhibition, Rock, Paper, Scissors: "battle" of works in stone, paper and metal". Anatomicallycorrect.org. August 29, 1999. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  23. ^ a b "Stone Sculptor, Walter S. Arnold Biography Page | Marble Carving". Stonecarver.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 1997. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  24. ^ Archived 21 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine[dead link]
  25. ^ "Chicago General Tips - Reviews - VirtualTourist". Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  26. ^ "City of Aurora - Aurora Public Art Commission Garden Planting Party". Aurora-il.org. October 2, 2008. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  27. ^ Archived August 2, 2011, at the Wayback Machine