Paul Donhauser Estate Art Sale & Benefit Honors Distinguished Wisconsin Artist & Teacher

APPLETON, Wis. - Aug. 14, 2018 - PRLog -- A three-day tribute event featuring original paintings and ceramics of prominent Wisconsin artist and renowned teacher Paul Donhauser (1936-2007) plus his extensive collection from his students and contemporaries is scheduled for Friday-Sunday, September 7th, 8th, & 9th, 9am-7pm. The public is welcome to attend this exclusive event hosted by daughters Jennifer and Stephanie at the family residence and their late father's art studio at 5724 I Ah Maytah Rd. in Oshkosh. A portion of the sales will benefit the Paul S. Donhauser Art-Student Scholarship at UW-Oshkosh.

All pieces available at this exclusive gallery-style sale — whether functional or sculptural ceramics or acrylic paintings — are one-of-a-kind, valuable originals and there is a limited supply. This will be a mini art fair with everything displayed in the house, studio, and driveway up for sale. First come, first serve.

Crafting an outstanding career as an artist, Dr. Donhauser worked in both clay and painting, exhibiting in regional, national and international competitions. He was a Rosebush Professor and earned virtually every honor the field of ceramics has to offer, notably a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Visual Arts and the Grand Prize at the International Ceramics Competition in Faenza, Italy.

He was the first American to win the prestigious ceramics award. His work is owned and displayed by countless private collectors as well as the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. and the Prudential Plaza in Chicago, IL.

Dr. Donhauser graduated from Sheboygan Central High School and earned his undergraduate degree in Studio Arts and Art Education from UW-Milwaukee. He continued his education with a Master's degree from UW-Madison and his PhD from Illinois State University.

Donhauser taught design and ceramics at UW-Oshkosh until 2004. During 40 years with the University of Wisconsin system, he touched countless lives including students and colleagues.

"We could never go out to eat without someone approaching the table and saying "hello, Dr. Donhauser!," recalls daughter Jennifer Anderson who is flying in from Alaska to organize and host the event with her sister Stephanie of Madison.

"Dad would remember them from his class. Everyone tells me they loved his classes, even though he was a tough grader! He held his students to high standards. He was constantly approached about doing demonstrations and workshops and volunteered his time and resources to further people's joy and understanding of the arts. Even though he was acknowledged in his field as a master, he was still down to earth and approachable."

Adds Jennifer, "He wrote about his undergraduate class work as being endless mundane assignments about traditional forms. But he gained freedom in the use of glazes and experimentation in different techniques, glazes, and open-flame reduction firing in the kilns. Eventually, he began to change the form of the clay from traditional forms to spontaneous changes of form and decoration while it was still emerging on the potter's wheel."

"Previously craftsmanship was equated with a clean, slick, flawless design and shape. But in the 60's when dad was hitting his stride it was desired to tear down the establishment and rebuild it with new ideas. It seemed to be the credo of the 60's since it was a time of upheaval in many other parts of society as well. Artwork moved to hand-built sculptures, more wow factor and daringly shocking. Eventually in his career dad came back to the round pot but began to explore the interior. He threw large, rounded, ovoid pots whose interior energy was interesting to him."

"This is evident in much of dad's work to be sold at the Estate Sale, such as a round vessel with its interior revealed. His abstract paintings could be characterized as expressions of emotions, perhaps unconscious desires and feelings. He was always exploring what's inside instead of what is merely on the surface; in art and in people."

Dr. Donhauser passed away on Thursday, November 22, 2007, due to complications with cancer treatment.

Facebook event link (with additional photos of available artwork): https://www.facebook.com/events/211462289693789/