Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum facts for kids
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Saginaw Valley State University's Marshall Fredericks Sculpture Museum in front of the Arbury Fine Arts Center
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| Established | May 15, 1988 as the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Gallery |
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| Location | Arbury Fine Arts Center, Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, Michigan |
| Accreditation | American Alliance of Museums |
| Collection size | 200 in main gallery |
The Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum is an art museum that shows the life and amazing artworks of the sculptor Marshall Fredericks. This museum is connected with Saginaw Valley State University. You can find it inside the university's Arbury Fine Arts Center in University Center, Michigan. The best part is, it's free to visit!
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History of the Museum
The idea for the museum came from Mrs. Dorothy (Honey) Arbury. She was from Midland, Michigan. Honey Arbury actually studied with the sculptor Marshall Fredericks in the 1930s. She attended Kingswood School at the Cranbrook Educational Community in Bloomfield Hills.
Honey Arbury also knew Marshall Fredericks through her uncle, Alden B. Dow. He was a well-known architect in Midland. Fredericks worked with Dow on many sculpture projects for buildings.
Honey Arbury was a founding member of the Board of Control at Saginaw Valley College in 1965. She stayed active with the university's boards for many years. Honey Arbury, her husband Ned Arbury, and Mr. and Mrs. Fredericks all thought it would be a great idea to have a permanent place to show Fredericks' art at the college.
The college and the Arbury family worked together to make this happen. They agreed to build the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Gallery. It was placed inside and next to the new art, music, and theater departments. The gallery first opened to the public in May 1988. It was located in the new Arbury Fine Arts Center. In 1999, the gallery was renamed the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum.
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum has several interesting areas for visitors to explore. Each section offers a different way to experience Marshall Fredericks' art and learn about his work.
Main Exhibit Gallery
The Main Exhibit Gallery is the biggest part of the museum. It displays about 200 of Fredericks' works. Most of these are plaster models, which are like drafts or prototypes for his final sculptures. These works cover more than 70 years of his career. A very special piece in this gallery is a huge, 28-foot tall statue of Christ. It stands on the south wall of the museum.
Special Exhibitions
The museum also has temporary galleries for special exhibitions. These shows change every few months. They feature art from artists all over the world, the country, and Michigan. Sometimes, they even show pieces from the museum's own collection. These exhibitions can include many different types of art. You might see paintings, prints, sculptures, ceramics, quilts, drawings, photography, and other fine crafts.
Sculptor’s Studio
The Sculptor's Studio is a permanent display. It looks like a real artist's workspace. Here, you can see Fredericks' actual tools and equipment. They are set up to show you how a sculptor creates their art. You can learn about the different steps involved in the casting process.
Archives of the Artist
The museum also has an Archives project. This started in 2005. It holds all of Marshall Fredericks' business and personal records. These records were moved from his home in Birmingham, Michigan and his studio in Royal Oak, Michigan in 2000. Saginaw Valley State University and the museum are proud to have this important collection. It helps people learn more about the artist's life and work.
Sculpture Garden
Right next to the museum, you'll find the Sculpture Garden. This outdoor area has a growing collection of more than 20 bronze sculptures by Fredericks. It's a great place to walk around and see his art in a natural setting.
More to Explore
- List of single-artist museums
