Marshall Maynard Fredericks

On this site stood the studio used by Marshall Fredericks to create his world famous sculptures from 1945 until 1998. Marshall Fredericks was born at Rock Island, Illinois on January 31st, 1908. He studied at the Cleveland School of Art and schools in Europe in 1932 he joined the Cranbrook School of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He enlisted in the United States Air Army Core in Europe. Upon his return to Michigan he acquired this property, then a small farm house, and converted it to his studio. It was later expanded to include a large work space to accommodate his major projects. Fredericks created many well known sculptures on this site including the Spirit of Detroit, Royal Oak Star Dream, the Indian River Crucifix, Man and His Universe, Freedom of the Human Spirit, The Cleveland War Memorial Fountain and other public sculptures. After his death, many of his models, molds, tools drawings and papers were donated to the Marshall Fredericks Sculpture Museum on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University. Marshall Fredericks credo was very simple: "I love people for I have learned through many experiences both happy and sad how beautiful and wonderful they can be; therefore I want more than anything in the world to do sculpture which will have real meaning for other people, many people, and might in some way encourage, inspire and give them happiness"