In His Own Words
Interviews with and Articles by Viktor Schreckengost
--. "Viktor Schreckengost of Ohio" (a transcribed conversation). The Studio Potter 2:1 (December 1982), 74-79. Recalls early training in ceramics. Vienna. On blacks, jazz, black models. On rise of fascism and Dictator, Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Chinese Head, 1929; Glory, Glory, 1940. Rhythm of the Soil. Brahman. Art, cartooning. Expression. Difficulty getting ceramics works into art shows. Animal portraits; zoo sculptures. Comments on new technology; space shuttle tiles. Ceramics as exciting field of the future. On retiring at age 75 and going back to a pottery. On designing tombstones.
Daley, William. "In Conversation: Viktor Schreckengost." American Craft 57:3 (June/July 1997), 44-49. Interview. Focus on Viktor's youth, training at CIA and in Europe, dinnerware, philosophy of art and design.
Favermann, Mark. "Viktor Schreckengost: An American Design Giant." The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles 1:11 (January 2001), p.27-29. Overview with various photos. Interview transcription. On changes in design, feelings about values/collectibility of work, greatest contribution (creating well-designed pieces for everyone), advice for designers (go back to the basics), best and worst client, changing times and methods, what was the best decade, regrets, "why you artists live so long."
Grafly, Dorothy. "Viktor Schreckengost: Sculptor of Form in Space." American Artist (May 1949), p.48-56. Smoked Ham, The Creatures God Forgot, Dictators, talk about humor, satire. Dewtone dinnerware, Salem. Hewn bowl and tray. Set design for Jim Dandy. Fish sculpture. Studio Window and Day of Glory watercolors. Interview: experiments with glazes, ceramic sculpture, set design, WWII work.
McCroskey, Nancy. "Viktor Schreckengost’s Architectural Terra Cotta," Ceramics Monthly 45:8 (October 1997), 65-69. Bird and pachyderm buildings at the Cleveland Zoo. Johnny Appleseed. Interview. Detailed description of design/construction of these sculptures. Referenced as excerpt from "Interview with Viktor Schreckengost" in December 1996 newsletter published by the Friends of Terra Cotta, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preservation of architectural ceramics.
Schreckengost, Viktor. "The Artist's Way is Strait." Undated, typed manuscript in Viktor Schreckengost Archives. Read it.
Schreckengost, Viktor. "The Designer Knows Your Customer." RETAILING, Home Furnishings (August 19, 1940), p.27. Viktor talks about trends in dinnerware.