Kemnitz, Milton

Milton Kemnitz is an Ann Arbor based artist specializing in images of local businesses and sites. His wife Eddie collaborates with him on much of his work. Together they were involved in local organizations and causes, including effort to oppose building of condominiums in what had been Bird Hills Park.

From the description of Milton Kemnitz papers, 1932-1995 (bulk 1960-1990). (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 85778382

From the description of Milton Kemnitz papers, 1932-1995 (bulk 1960-1990). (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 84275869

Eddie and Milton Kemnitz reside adjacent to the Bird Hills Park area of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

From the description of Milton and Eddie Kemnitz collection of Bird Hills Park materials, 1968-1991. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34420577

Milton Kemnitz is one of Ann Arbor's best known artists. His drawings and paintings all have a unique, identifiable style and have been widely reproduced -- on greeting cards, shopping bags, calendars and magazine covers. His work also appears on the walls of the city -- both inside and outside. In 1974 the mayor of Ann Arbor recognized his contributions and declared a "Milt Kemnitz Day."

Kemnitz was born in Detroit, Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree from the College of Literature, Arts and Sciences, in 1933. During World War II he served as a merchant seaman, and started to paint on a stint to the Mediterranean. Once the war was over, he returned to Ann Arbor, and together with his wife and collaborator Eddie, whom he married in 1939, has made the city his home ever since.

His work has been shown in numerous group and one-man shows, mainly in galleries in his home state. The Forsythe Gallery in Ann Arbor represented him for decades, and he has had connections with many other galleries over the years. His work is in the collections of many museums, institutions and corporations. He has published several books of drawings: Old West Side, Michigan Memories (1965), Ann Arbor Now and Then (1972)and London and Back (1977). Eddie helped him design and edit the books, a role she often filled in conjunction with Milt's larger projects.

Kemnitz did many commissioned pieces, especially drawings of buildings for individuals and corporations. In addition to these commissions, he often donated artwork or his expertise to support local activities. For instance, he sat on the Ann Arbor Sesquicentennial Committee and designed the commemorative silver bar, did lettering and drawings for the "Y" for over a decade, and helped keep The Ark, a local performance space, open.

In addition to supporting the arts in Ann Arbor, an effort that included membership in the Ann Arbor Art Association and numerous other organizations, Eddie and Milt were involved in other local causes. The biggest effort was to "Save Bird Hills Park" in 1971. This was a grassroots effort to fight the building of luxury condominiums on what had been parkland. The city agreed to buy the land from the developer and leave it as parkland if the people of Ann Arbor could raise one-fourth of the purchase price. 1500 people pledged a total of $90,000 but the developer still got the land.

His involvement with local organizations includes over fifty years of membership in the First Unitarian Universalist Church. Naturally, he did quite a bit of work for them over the years. In addition to his drawing of the church, which was used on programs and stationary for years, he experimented with a new medium and created a memorial stained glass window dedicated to Edward H. Redman, who had been minister from 1943 to 1960.

From the guide to the Milton Kemnitz Papers, 1932-1995, 1960-1990, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)