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Schneider seen through his sculpture “Carrot Stand,” which uses specialized color dyes.

CSU honors professor Richard Schneider

By Ashley Harrington

Schneider’s interest in art began in 1957, while working on painting cars and motorcycles out West. Schneider airbrushed and decorated cars and bikes for a living.

“It was the Mecca at the time”, explained Schneider, “I continued to work on cars until 1959.”

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Schneider returned in 1960, finding his passion for ceramics after signing up for a course at the University of Toledo.

“After taking the class, I was hooked,” explained Schneider.

Schneider received a B.A from the University of Toledo, Ohio and later received a M.A from Bowling Green University, in Bowling Green, Ohio.

After working a part-time job as a teacher in Michigan, Schneider found a job at Cleveland State University in 1971, where he presently has taught and inspired students for over 30 years.

Through time, Schneider has created plates, tiles, vessels, sculptures, and functional work, such as dinnerware sets, bowls, and containers. Plates displayed with humor and fantasy, sculptures portraying vegetables in unique landscapes, ashtrays rendered with a Cleveland theme, and creative assemblage pieces are trademark selections expected of Schneider’s style.

“I combine metal, rubber, sand, and rope with clay decals,” said Schneider regarding his assemblage pieces. “I even make my own decals.” Schneider’s distinct knack for color detail required custom made dyes. “Carrot Stand,” one of Schneider’s sculptures of the 80’s, displays a realistic color scheme of carrots.

In order to create this look, Schneider sent actual photographs of carrots to the paper box industry, which in turn developed an exact colored dye for Schneider’s project.

“Another reason I came back to Cleveland, there’s all this industry here,” Schneider says. “I make use of the companies that can help with the material.”

Artists such as Peter Voukos, Richard Shaw, Robert Arneson, and Michael Lucero have influenced Schneider.

However, Schneider fully welcomes inspiration from students.

“If you work in isolation you don’t do much after awhile,” Schneider says. “I like to work with others where we can bounce ideas back and forth off of each other. I don’t believe in walls.”

Breaking down the walls is precisely what Schneider has delivered.

Thanks to Schneider and the Ceramics Department, by Spring Semester the ceramics studio and classes will be moved to the Camp Building at 1768 East 25th St.

This will provide a larger workspace for students and faculty, walls down and all.

Schneider explained he preferred to cover the entire surface of clay in the past, such as his 1976 work titled “Thumb Slugs Attacking a Cow and a Rock.”

It later evolved to his current interest of using less glaze on the surface, and allowing more of the clay surface to show, which can be found on his 2005 piece named “Warrior,” one of the focus sculptures at the gallery.

“Less is more,” he says. “I am using less of the material.”

Even though Schneider’s work has changed, he admits, “I let the art historians decide whenever the art has changed.” Schneider continues, “Time goes on, and my work evolves into a different look. I tend to not go backwards.”

Schneider portrays this ethic by continuously being ahead of the times, developing his own trends, following his own rules.

For students pursuing careers in art, Schneider has helpful advice. “The secret is getting through life never being bored.” Schneider continues, “I wasn’t concerned about money, I was concerned about wanting to do something I liked on a regular basis.”

Following his dreams, while keeping a positive mindset despite difficulties that approached him, Schneider defines a true artist.

“If I was reborn, I’d definitely do this again,” said Schneider.

And again would Schneider’s timeless art inspire and influence all.

“Richard Schneider Retro-spective,” is open to the public from Sept. 9 until Oct. 15, in the Art Building at 2301 Chester Ave.

Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays noon to 4:00 p.m.

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