Age, Biography and Wiki

Merry Renk (Mary Ruth Gibbs) was born on 8 July, 1921 in Trenton, New Jersey, U.S., is an American jewelery designer (1921-2012). Discover Merry Renk's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is she in this year and how she spends money? Also learn how she earned most of networth at the age of 90 years old?

Popular As Mary Ruth Gibbs
Occupation N/A
Age 90 years old
Zodiac Sign Cancer
Born 8 July, 1921
Birthday 8 July
Birthplace Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
Date of death 17 June, 2012
Died Place San Francisco, California, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 8 July. She is a member of famous designer with the age 90 years old group.

Merry Renk Height, Weight & Measurements

At 90 years old, Merry Renk height not available right now. We will update Merry Renk's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Merry Renk's Husband?

Her husband is Stanley Edwin Renk (m.1941–1945, death) Earle Watt Curtis (m.1958–2008, death)

Family
Parents Not Available
Husband Stanley Edwin Renk (m.1941–1945, death) Earle Watt Curtis (m.1958–2008, death)
Sibling Not Available
Children 2

Merry Renk Net Worth

Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Merry Renk worth at the age of 90 years old? Merry Renk’s income source is mostly from being a successful designer. She is from United States. We have estimated Merry Renk's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income designer

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Timeline

1921

Merry Renk (born Mary Ruth Gibbs; July 8, 1921 – June 17, 2012), also known as Merry Renk-Curtis, was an American jewelry designer, metalsmith, sculptor and painter.

Mary Ruth Gibbs was born on July 8, 1921, in Trenton, New Jersey.

1939

From 1939 until 1941, she attended the Trenton School of Industrial Arts to study painting.

1946

In 1946, she moved to Chicago and enrolled in the IIT Institute of Design, studying industrial design.

1947

Between 1947 and 1948, Renk co-founded 750 Studio at 750 N. Dearborn Street in Chicago with Olive Oliver and Mary Jo Slick.

They lived in the back of the building, which they renovated.

750 Studio is credited as "the first contemporary arts and crafts gallery in America to show abstract art".

The gallery showed works by well-known artists including Henry Miller, László Moholy-Nagy, Harry Callahan, and Margaret De Patta.

During this time Renk became interested in enamels on metal and began working in metals; she was largely self-taught as a jeweler.

1948

In 1948, Renk traveled to Europe and eventually settled in San Francisco.

Renk started creating organic forms in her jewelry and they grew in popularity.

1950

In 1950 she went to Paris, and to Spain and Morocco with Lenore Tawney, returning to San Francisco in 1951.

Around the mid-1950s Renk began creating intricate tiaras and crowns.

1951

In 1951, she helped to found the Metal Arts Guild (MAG), and served as its president in 1954.

Then and later, she commemorated events that she found important, such as a meeting with Constantin Brâncuși in 1951, in "Memory" paintings incorporating both words and images.

Invited by Margaret De Patta, Renk became a founding member of the Metal Arts Guild of San Francisco (MAG) in 1951.

MAG was the first organization in the United States to address the needs of studio jewelers.

Other founding members included Vera Allison,

Francis Spensen,

Byron August Wilson,

Bob Winston,

Virginia Macchiarini.

1954

In 1954, Renk served as President of the Metal Arts Guild.

She remained active in the group until age 90.

"I wouldn't have given up my time at my workbench to anyone. I enjoyed the whole process: using the saw to take my designs from paper to metal, seeing the beauty of the torch as it fuses one piece of metal to another, and focusing on the intimate details, like small gems. What a treasure it has been to make my living as a goldsmith. – Merry Renk"

1960

Either in the 1960s or in a car accident in 1974, Renk sustained an eye injury.

For a time she turned to creating large-scale metal sculptures, applying many of the interlocking techniques she used in her jewelry.

1969

In 1969, she was one of 250 artists invited to participate in the national touring exhibition Objects: USA sponsored by S. C. Johnson & Son.

Renk created a wedding crown of interlocking gold petals and 240 pearls, White Cloud.

It was one of her largest ornamental objects, and brought her international recognition.

"'After the functional aspect ... the object itself must have a feeling of rightness. There must be a kind of intensity to it.' – Merry Renk"

1981

In 1981, the California Crafts Museum featured her in the exhibition merry renk, jeweler: a visual biography and retrospective, 1947- 1981.

1982

In 1982, at the age of 60, she decided to return to painting.

1994

In 1994, Renk was elected a fellow at the American Craft Council (ACC).

Renk's work is in many public museum collections including the Renwick Gallery, the Oakland Museum of California, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, among others.

2011

In 2011, her jewelry was featured by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), along with that of Peter Macchiarini, in the exhibition, California Design 1930-1965: Living in the Modern Way.