[Photography courtesy Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens.]

Albin Polazek—The Man Who Carved His Own Destiny

In a residential subdivision a half-mile east of downtown Winter Park, a three-acre plot of land overlooks Lake Osceola. Here are the secluded grounds of the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens. Considered one of America's top sculptors during his lifetime, the internationally acclaimed Albin Polasek (1879-1965) retired to Winter Park in 1950. Polasek (Poh-LAH-shek) worked in a variety of mediums - stone, bronze, plaster, wood, and painting. Today the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens displays works that span the entire career of the Czech-born artist, including childhood wood carvings from the 1890s through his final pieces of 1965. Of the 400 works attributed to Polasek, 200 are on the museum property.

Born in 1879 in Frenstat, Moravia, now part of the Czech Republic, Polasek's talents were revealed at a young age. Throughout his life, Polasek expressed pride in his heritage and homeland. But in 1901, following in the footsteps of two brothers who were priests in Minnesota, Polasek immigrated to the U.S. to make his trade as a wood carver.

In 1906 he studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts under the instruction of Charles Grafly and won the Cresson Traveling Scholarship in 1907, 1908, and 1909. In 1910, Polasek's sculpture Faith, Hope and Charity won the Prix de Rome, a three-year scholarship to study at the American Academy in Rome. In his final year in Rome, Polasek produced The Sower, which received an honorable mention at the 1913 Paris Salon. In 1916 Polasek went to Chicago, and at the age of 31, became head of the Department of Sculpture at the Art Institute - a position he held until retirement in 1943. For many years, Polasek was known as the "Chicago" artist because he created monumental sculptures associated with buildings and green spaces in the city that have become visual landmarks.

Retiring to Winter Park in 1950, Polasek completed 18 major works during his retirement, despite suffering a paralyzing stroke shortly after his arrival. Polasek opened his three-acre estate to the public in 1961 in order to share his life works with his adopted community. He continued to produce artwork there until he died at age 86 in 1965. In 1961, Polasek established a private foundation committed to keeping his sculpture available for public display and requested that his studio, home and galleries be open to the public to encourage the study, appreciation, and furtherance of representational art.

To Learn More:

Visit The Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens
633 Osceola Avenue in Winter Park
Phone 407.647.6294 or visit www.polasek.org