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Gladys Smith Gunzer (November 12, 1939 – June 13, 2016) was a noted American medalist and
*
Gladys Gunzer obituary
in Dick Johnson's Databank of Medal Artists 20th-century American sculptors 1939 births 2016 deaths People from North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 20th-century American women artists 21st-century American women artists 21st-century American sculptors 20th-century American women sculptors {{US-sculptor-stub
sculptor
Sculpture is the branch of the visual arts that operates in three dimensions. Sculpture is the three-dimensional art work which is physically presented in the dimensions of height, width and depth. It is one of the plastic arts. Durable sc ...
. She was the first woman chosen to design an official United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
presidential inaugural medal.
Biography
Gunzer was born inNorth Wilkesboro, North Carolina
North Wilkesboro is a town in Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States, approximately 80 miles north of Charlotte. The population was 4,131 at the 2020 US Census. North Wilkesboro is the birthplace and original home of Lowe's Home Improvemen ...
in 1939. She studied fine art
In European academic traditions, fine art is developed primarily for aesthetics or creative expression, distinguishing it from decorative art or applied art, which also has to serve some practical function, such as pottery or most metalwor ...
s at the Women's College of the University of North Carolina, but left in order to raise her family. She was hired by the Medallic Art Company
Medallic Art Company, Ltd. based in Dayton, Nevada was at one time "America’s oldest and largest private mint" and specialized in making academic awards, maces, medallions, along with chains of office and universities medals for schools. Af ...
in 1972 and worked there until 1990, working her way up to senior sculptor and manager of the firm's art department. She then moved to Arizona
Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...
and worked as a freelance medallic sculptor.
Notable works
*1980 Winter Olympics
The 1980 Winter Olympics, officially the XIII Olympic Winter Games and also known as Lake Placid 1980, were an international multi-sport event held from February 13 to 24, 1980, in Lake Placid, New York, United States.
Lake Placid was elected ...
Medals
* 1984 IEEE Centennial Medal
* 2000 IEEE Third Millennial Medal
*2005 United States Presidential Inaugural Medal
References
External links
Gladys Gunzer obituary
in Dick Johnson's Databank of Medal Artists 20th-century American sculptors 1939 births 2016 deaths People from North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 20th-century American women artists 21st-century American women artists 21st-century American sculptors 20th-century American women sculptors {{US-sculptor-stub