Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum

A photo of Marshall and his family. Marshall is the child in the very front.

Marshall M. Fredericks was born of Scandinavian heritage in Rock Island, Illinois on January 31, 1908. His family moved to Florida for a short time and then settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where he grew up. He graduated from the Cleveland School of Art in 1930 and journeyed abroad on a fellowship to study with Carl Milles (1875-1955) in Sweden and other academies and private studios in Denmark, Germany, France, and Italy, and traveled extensively in Europe and North Africa.

A younger Marshall standing next to one of his sculptures in his studio while attending the Cleveland School of Art in the late 1920s or early 1930s.

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Marshall in his studio

In 1932 he was invited by Carl Milles to join the staffs of Cranbrook Academy of Art and Cranbrook and Kingswood Schools in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, teaching there until he enlisted in the armed forces in 1942. In 1945 Fredericks was honorably discharged from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel. 

Marshall M. Fredericks in his military uniform during World War II, which he served as Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force.

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Marshall in Uniform

After World War II, the sculptor worked continuously on his numerous commissions for fountains, memorials, free-standing sculptures, reliefs, and portraits in bronze and other materials.  Many of his works have spiritual intensity, lighthearted humor and a warm and gentle humanist spirit like that found in Fredericks himself.    

Fredericks was the recipient of many American and foreign awards and decorations for his artistic and humanitarian achievements. He exhibited his work nationally and internationally; many of his sculptures are in national, civic, and private collections.

An image of Marshall M. Fredericks later in life, next to his "Leaping Gazelle" sculpture.

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Marshall M. Fredericks

He resided in Birmingham, Michigan with his wife Rosalind Cooke until his death in April of 1998; they had five children and eight grandchildren.  He also held studios at 4113 North Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak and on East Long Lake Road in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan until 1998. After his death the contents of his studios were gifted to the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University.

The Life and Legacy of Marshall M. Fredericks

One of Marshall's last pieces that he created was "The Poet-Lord Byron". To help show the process of how Marshall made his sculptures, the video "The Making of Lord Byron" was created.

Making The Poet-Lord Byron

At the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, we have many different sculptures and plaster molds that many use as a drawing reference. Look at all the images and see if you can gather any inspiration for your own creation! We also have many more images and a 3D tour on our website which you can find under additional resources.

A Look at the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum

Marshall is known internationally, having pieces across the US and other countries. Here are just a few of his sculptures that you might know or recognize! Have you seen Marshall's sculptures anywhere? If so, write out where and which ones you've seen! There are many more in the world than the ones listed here. For this activity, research Marshall's sculptures made around the world and create a list with images and titles of the them. Remember to note the locations of the sculptures and include an interesting fact about each one!

Marshall's Sculptures Around The World

At Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, we have a representation of his Sculptor's Studio. His actual studio that was in Royal Oak, Michigan, was much larger.

How Did Marshall Make His Sculptures?

Learn about many different shapes you’ll find in Marshall’s sculptures. Find some of them in this photo and outline each shape using either the paint tool or using the shape tool. Make a list of them too.  Paint Tool:  Click on the paint tool. Then when you hover over the armature picture with a small plus sign, click on a spot and drag the plus sign to make a dark mark. You can change the opacity, brush size and stroke.  Shape Tool:  When you click on shapes you can select different shapes, fill, stroke, opacity and brush size. Then place the shapes over the armature picture and move them around.

Identifying Base Shapes

Marshall Fredericks was a prolific sculptor in the twentieth century, making sculptures for most of his life. The goal he had for the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum was for it to be a teaching tool, and that is the goal for this Resource Kit as well. We aim to inspire the next generation of artists and show them what art can do for the world. Feel free to look through our activities and learn about Marshall and how public art is made!

The Life and Legacy of Marshall M. Fredericks: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA3aF_3zxnQ

An overview: The video starts off with his childhood, then goes into his school years, his role in World War II, and his work as a public sculptor. The last half or so goes over the creation of the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum and his work towards the end of his life.

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

The Making of Sculptures with Marshall M. Fredericks

The Life and Legacy of Marshall M. Fredericks

The Beginning of Marshall's Life