Design Fellow, John Guenther, FAIA has researched the life and works of Harvey Ellis (1852-1904) since 1984, and has had the opportunity to visit many of Ellis’ works to study them firsthand.

Attendees will gain an appreciation of Harvey Ellis with John presenting a wide array of Ellis’ art, architecture, interiors, furniture design, graphic art and designs for Gustav Stickley. Works will be placed in historical context and chronologically within Ellis’ life and works. As we know, each phase of our lives leaves a trace, or influence, on the next. Attendees will see how Harvey Ellis’ love of art led him to architecture. In turn, his love of art and architecture led to architectural renderings and design competitions. Design competitions then drew him to various architectural offices throughout the Midwest. Ellis’ love of art then drew him back home to Rochester, New York. His explorations were wide, varied and sophisticated. His new directions in art, coupled with his architectural design and renderings then influenced his work for Stickley and the Craftsman magazine: Arts & Crafts plus simplicity plus architecture plus interiors equaled a total expression of a way of life…Ellis lived for beauty and to share that beauty.

With each change and new office, a pattern of heightened design excellence and refinement would occur. Projects underway were transformed. Staffs were influenced, as well as all those who read and studied the architectural journals of the day and those who studied under him in the various architectural sketch clubs he established.  In addition to his work in Rochester, Ellis worked in the Minneapolis area, St. Joseph, MO and St. Louis, MO.