Jack Simmerling Originals and Prints
Jack Simmerling and his family owned the Ingersoll-Blackwelder house from 1970-2014. They performed a historic restoration upon its purchase as it has fallen into disrepair and was slated for demolition before the Simmerling’s rescued it. During Open House Chicago, a unique selection of the Jack Simmerling’s work will be on display at the Cliff Dwellers Club www.cliff-chicago.org curated by Andrew Elders in conjunction with the Glessner House Museum www.glessnerhouse.org. At the Ingersoll-Blackwelder House, there will also be several originals and prints of Jack Simmerling’s collection available for viewing along with pictures of and documents outlining the Ingersoll-Blackwelder home’s restoration in the early 1970s. In addition, there are original paintings of Jack Simmerling’s mother as well as the mother of Marjorie Simmerling (Jack’s wife).
(Excerpted from a Cliff Dweller’s publication.) Jack Simmerling became passionate about Chicago’s rapidly changing architectural landscape as a teenager in the 1950s. He learned early on that if he was unable to physically save a building, he could preserve its artistry through salvage and his own artwork. He spent several years as a member of demolition crews, gaining entry into what had been Chicago’s most elaborate houses and returning with salvaged materials and many memories, which he would then use to document the house. In many cases, Jack’s sketches, paintings, and artifacts are all that remain today of many of Chicago’s lost mansions. Jack went on to study art at Notre Dame University, and for many years operated his Heritage Gallery in the Beverly neighborhood. Talented in many mediums, his style evolved over the course of his career from early, abstract depictions of building demolitions, to his later works which showed an almost photographic level of detail. He painted buildings long-demolished from memory and photographs, and created works representing Chicago’s iconic structure such as Wrigley Field, Navy Pier, and the Chicago skyline. Much of his collection was bequeathed to the Glessner House Museum on Prairie Avenue www.glessnerhouse.org. Contact the Glessner House Museum for additional information.
Other originals and prints may be purchased through the Heritage Gallery, owned and operated by Victoria Simmerling, daughter of Jack.
(Excerpted from a Cliff Dweller’s publication.) Jack Simmerling became passionate about Chicago’s rapidly changing architectural landscape as a teenager in the 1950s. He learned early on that if he was unable to physically save a building, he could preserve its artistry through salvage and his own artwork. He spent several years as a member of demolition crews, gaining entry into what had been Chicago’s most elaborate houses and returning with salvaged materials and many memories, which he would then use to document the house. In many cases, Jack’s sketches, paintings, and artifacts are all that remain today of many of Chicago’s lost mansions. Jack went on to study art at Notre Dame University, and for many years operated his Heritage Gallery in the Beverly neighborhood. Talented in many mediums, his style evolved over the course of his career from early, abstract depictions of building demolitions, to his later works which showed an almost photographic level of detail. He painted buildings long-demolished from memory and photographs, and created works representing Chicago’s iconic structure such as Wrigley Field, Navy Pier, and the Chicago skyline. Much of his collection was bequeathed to the Glessner House Museum on Prairie Avenue www.glessnerhouse.org. Contact the Glessner House Museum for additional information.
Other originals and prints may be purchased through the Heritage Gallery, owned and operated by Victoria Simmerling, daughter of Jack.