Some diligence, chemical solvents, and 1,100 cotton tips helped to remove the heavy tar and nicotine contaminates. The results are stunning and probably exceed verbiage, but we took a few photographs.

Born in Germany, Curt Frankenstein moved to the Chicago area when he was 25. His artistic schooling included: the American Academy of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Otis Art institute of Los Angeles. He supplemented this with Lithography courses at the Art Institute, under Max Kahn, and Etching at Studio 22, under Hedi Bak. Both establishments were in Chicago. In 1954, he sold his his paintings at the 57th Street Art Fair. He would go on to participate in art fairs yearly, attending as many as six per year. Also in the 1950s, his art style took a new direction, merging abstract with surrealism. His intention was to suggest, to the eye, that there is more than it can see. He did this with the mystery and fantasy elements that are qualities of surrealism. A long time resident of Wilmette, he had a studio and print shop there with his own etching press.

Frankenstein’s art is displayed in many corporate collections throughout the country, including those owned by West Publishing in St. Paul, Minn.; the Illinois State Museum; and the Union League Club in Chicago. In addition to being a member of the Senior Citizen’s Art Network, Frankenstein is also a member of the American Jewish Art Club and the Wilmette Art Guild. He has received numerous art awards throughout his life, the most recent being “Best of Show” for his painting titled “Black and White” at the Garland of Barrington SAN exhibit.