Gallery: Fred Smith works in museum and private collections

A few of Fred’s sculptures got away from the Park. Smith made a number of sculptures to decorate the back bar at the Rock Garden Tavern, which he generously gave to artist admirers. There were originally at least 3 woodpeckers that had fallen from their original perches on trees. When they fell off, the were placed in the Tavern; owner Murry Rinehart gave 2 Woodpeckers to the Milwaukee Art Museum and one was given to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center (JMKAC). Smith made a deer for a friend, now in the JMKAC. A few sculptures fell apart; Smith gave the heads to friends. In order to preserve one example of Smith’s work in close to vintage condition, a male figure was moved from site plan #47, Horses with Buggy, to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center (Sheboygan, WI), where it is on long term loan, preserved, and occasionally on view.

Fred Smith, back bar sculpture, running horse, trees. John Michael Kohler Arts Center collection, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Rock Garden Tavern with back bar sculptures. Photo: Karen Savage, c. 1960s

Fred Smith, back bar plaque, Two Deer, Phillips. John Michael Kohler Arts Center collection, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Back bar sculpture. Photographed in the Rock Garden Tavern by Karen Savage. Private Collection

Fred Smith, back bar sculpture, Photographed by Karen Savage in the Rock Garden Tavern. John Michael Kohler Arts Center collection, Sheboygan, WI

Fred Smith, back bar sculpture, dancing man. John Michael Kohler Arts Center collection, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Fred Smith, back bar sculpture, rearing glass ponies. Photographed in the Rock Garden Tavern by Karen Savage. Location unknown

Back bar sculpture. Photographed in the Rock Garden Tavern by Karen Savage. Location unknown

Fred Smith back bar sculpture. Photo: Robert Amft, c. 1960s. Location unknown

Rock Garden Tavern back bar. Photo: Robert Amft, c. 1960s

Fred Smith, stag; the only sculpture he made for a friend, not for the Wisconsin Concrete Park. John Michael Kohler Arts Center collection, Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Site plan #47, Horses and Buggy was originally created west of the Smith barn. It was moved to the east meadow in 1977, to flesh out the newly established area, where sculptures from the Tavern property were moved.

A male figure was moved to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, to preserve an example of Fred Smith's work, as close to the condition when it was created.

Male figure, removed from the Park (site plan #47) to preserve an example of Smith's work. Long term loan to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center by Friends of Fred Smith and Price County.

Pileated woodpecker, originally mounted on a tree in the Park. John Michael Kohler Arts Center collection, Sheboygan, WI

Pileated Woodpecker, site plan #17. Photo: Robert Amft

Pileated Woodpecker, site plan #17. Photo: Robert Amft

Pileated Woodpecker, site plan #17. Photo: Roger Brown

Pileated Woodpecker, site plan #17. Photo: Robert Amft

Fred Smith, male head, had become detached from a sculpture. Given by Smith to an artist, private collection

Fred Smith, Tree of Life plaque, private collection