Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum

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

The Life and Legacy of Marshall M. Fredericks

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

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

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

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

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.

The Making of Sculptures with Marshall M. Fredericks

Life Science

Science

Engineering and Technology

Application/Practice of Science

U.S. History

Social Studies

World History

HS Algebra

Mathematics

HS Geometry

Reading: Literature

English Language Arts

Reading: Informational Texts

Reading: History/Social Studies

Visual Arts

The Arts

Collection of photos of Marshall's sculptures around the world

"Cleveland War Memorial: The Fountain of Eternal Life" in Cleveland, Ohio.

Cleveland War Memorial, Ohio.jpg

Cleveland War Memorial: The Fountain of Eternal Life

"Friendly Frog" sculpture located in Frederick Meijer Sculpture Park and Gardens.

friendly frog (meijer gardens).jpg

Friendly Frog

"God on the Rainbow" in Nacka Strand, Sweden.  In 1995 Marshall Fredericks enlarged and sculpted the 69 foot "God on the Rainbow"  from a small 1946 sketch model created by Fredericks’ mentor and friend Carl Milles.  Milles created the model for a peace monument intended for the United Nations Building in New York.  The sculpture stands at the entrance to Stockholm Harbor, Nacka Strand, Sweden. The project was spearheaded by Cilla Jahn, in collaboration with Millesgarden and the PA Foundation.

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

The Making of Sculptures with Marshall M. Fredericks

Marshall's Sculptures Around The World

"Cleveland War Memorial: Fountain of Eternal Life" in Cleveland, Ohio