Friedolin Kessler was a multitalented artist well known in the San Jose area, where he lived the majority of his life. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 12, 1913, the only son of Czech and German immigrants. When Friedolin was 12 he won admission and tuition to Washington University for an 8 foot by 4 foot chalk drawing he made on his classroom's chalk board. It took Friedolin a week to complete the drawing, which was to be part of the room's decoration for Washington's birthday. The drawing was brought to the attention of the superintendent of county schools and Senator George H. Williams, who were instrumental in obtaining his admission and free tuition to the university. At age 16 he entered Washington University in St. Louis to study art.

After graduating, Friedolin came to California by way of joining the Missouri Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1935 his entire camp was transferred to California, to the area now known as New Almaden Quicksilver County Park. He was the resident camp artist, hired to document life in the CCC. His work during this time is preserved in the linoleum cuts that he made, and can now be seen in this gallery.

In 1938 Friedolin took a solitary bike journey down the coast of California, visiting every mission from Sonoma to San Diego. Upon returning to San Jose, he spent a year making linoleum cuts of each mission, using the photographs and drawings he'd taken during his trip. The ensuing prints were exhibited several times, including at the World's Fair in Treasure Island, and the Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. They are now permanently displayed in this gallery.

Friedolin helped found the San Jose Art League in 1938, and was an art instructor at San Jose State University and Stanford University. He was accomplished in oil and acrylic painting, charcoal, linoleum cuts, photography and woodworking, including wood turning. He also produced large murals, both painted and mosaic, that are found throughout buildings in the San Jose area.

In later years, some of his favorite work was his wood art. He had a particular passion and empathy for wood, and used it to create beautiful wall hangings formed with small pieces of sliced wood and colored epoxy. Many of these works are displayed in this gallery, as well as a collection of his wood bowls.

Friedolin was still working on his wood pieces when he died of cancer in 1995 at the age of 82. His artwork spanned a period of over 60 years! It is our hope that you'll enjoy the work you'll see here of this extraordinary artist.