Polášek, Albín, 1879-1965

Artist, sculptor.

Albin Polasek was born in Moravia, the Czech Republic, in 1879. He came to the United States in 1901 working as a wood carver. In 1906 he studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts under Charles Grafly and won the Cresson Traveling Scholarship in 1907, 1908 and 1909. Albin was a Fellow at the American Academy in Rome from 1910 to 1913 and, subsequent to his studies in Rome and Greece, he started his own studio in New York City. In 1916 he went to Chicago, and was head of the Department of Sculpture at the Art Institute until 1943. He created numerous pieces covering various subjects. In 1949, he bought land on Lake Osceloa, and built his retirement home and studio. In 1961 the Albin Polasek Foundation was established and a gallery built to house his works. He continued to sculpt until he died at 86, on May 19, 1965. The Foundation operates in his Winter Park home as the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens.

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