Renowned Valley-born artist, designer dies at 101

CLEVELAND — Sebring native Viktor Schreckengost, an artist and prolific industrial designer whose works ranged from toys and ceramics to dinnerware and trucks, died Saturday while visiting family in Tallahassee, Fla., the spokeswoman for his foundation said Sunday. He was 101.

Schreckengost, a 2006 winner of the National Medal of Arts, was best known for his 1930s “Jazz Bowl” series, commissioned by Eleanor Roosevelt for the White House. The electric blue and black porcelain bowls, inspired by the sights and sounds of New York City, became icons of the Art Deco era.

Born in 1906, Schreckengost incorporated fine design into mass-produced goods in an effort to make aesthetically pleasing, functional items available to all Americans. His industrial designs include millions of bicycles sold by Sears, iconic children’s pedal wagons, lawn chairs, sit-down lawn mowers and American Limoges dinnerware.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.