26 Facts About Gwen Frostic

Gwen Frostic born as Sara Gwendolen Frostic, was an American artist, entrepreneur, author, and Michigan Women's Hall of Fame inductee.

Gwen Frostic was born April 26,1906, in Sandusky, Michigan, to Sara and Fred W Frostic.

Gwen Frostic's parents had both been trained as teachers in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

At the time of Gwen Frostic's birth, Fred was serving as school principal.

One of seven children, Gwen Frostic had an older brother, Bill, and five younger siblings.

Gwen Frostic's mother was a strong advocate for her involvement in diverse activities despite her disabilities.

Gwen Frostic lived with her family in Croswell, then St Charles, before the family moved to Ann Arbor in 1917 while Fred earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Michigan.

In June 1924 Gwen Frostic graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte, where she had completed several courses in mechanical drawing and was known for using a band saw to create event posters for her school.

Gwen Frostic went on to study art education at Eastern Michigan University, where she joined the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority and earned her teacher's certificate.

Gwen Frostic left Western Michigan University, just short of completing her degree, in 1927.

WMU's School of Art is named for Gwen Frostic, who donated millions to the university.

Gwen Frostic set up a metals studio in the family home and started a business, Metalcraft, where she produced objects and was commissioned to make two copper vases for the wife of Henry Ford, Clara Bryant Ford.

In 1929, Gwen Frostic worked as a summer camp counselor at Osoha of the Dunes, in Frankfort, Michigan.

Gwen Frostic continued her artistic endeavors in metal and plastic, while teaching in Dearborn and offering metals courses at the YMCA in Detroit.

Gwen Frostic oversaw the construction of the print shop and dwelling, building it in relation to the woodlands.

Gwen Frostic conceived of a number of naturalistic and artistic elements including large stone boulders and a natural spring flowing inside the structure and an area with a green sod roof.

Gwen Frostic incrementally grew her property into a 285-acre wildlife sanctuary.

Gwen Frostic's business grew and prospered steadily over the years.

Gwen Frostic was recognized as a successful entrepreneur at a time when few women were celebrated for this.

Several of Gwen Frostic's prints are in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Gwen Frostic was a long time member of the Northwest Michigan Artists and Craftsmen.

Gwen Frostic remained actively involved creating art and working in her business well into her nineties.

Gwen Frostic lived at the Benzonia property until her death in 2001 a day before her 95th birthday.

Much earlier, in 1960, Gwen Frostic was rumored to be a millionaire from her business, but as she lived a simple, modest life, this was unconfirmed until the public announcement that she had left $13 million to her alma mater, Western Michigan University.

Gwen Frostic carved over 2,300 blocks, which can be seen on the shelves of the studio.

Gwen Frostic was granted several honorary doctorates from Alma College, Eastern Michigan University, Western Michigan University, Michigan State University, and Ferris State University.