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PHILIP
SIMMONS
Philip
Simmons, the most celebrated of Charleston's ironworkers, was born
on Daniel Island, S.C., on June 19, 1912. A Charleston resident
since 1919, he attended local schools but received his most important
education from local blacksmith Peter Simmons, who ran a busy shop
at the foot of Calhoun Street.
Here,
Philip Simmons acquired the values and refined the talents that
would sustain him throughout his long metal-working career.
What
a great gift! This beautiful limited edition print by Charleston
artist Rhett Thurman is available for just $250. Click
here for more. |
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Moving
into the specialized field of ornamental iron in 1938, Mr. Simmons
fashioned more t han 500 decorative pieces of ornamental wrought
iron -- gates, fences, balconies and window grills. The City of
Charleston is truly decorated from end to end by his hand.
In
1982, the National Endowment for the Arts awarded him its National
Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor that the United States can
bestow on a traditional artist. This recognition was followed by
a similar award by the South Carolina state legislature for "lifetime
achievement" and commissions for public sculptures by the South
Carolina State Museum and the city of Charleston. Mr. Simmons was
inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame on Jan. 31, 1994.
Pieces
of his work have been acquired by the National Museum of American
History, the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum of International
Folk Art in Santa Fe, N.M., the Richland County Public Library in
Columbia, S.C., and the Atlanta History Center in Atlanta, Ga.
In
1989, the vestry and congregation of his church, St. John's Reformed
Episcopal Church at 91 Anson Street in downtown Charleston, dedicated
the grounds of the church to develop a commemorative landscaped
garden as a tribute to his exceptional mastery of wroght iron and
in recognition of his inspirational character and self assurance.
Now,
there's another garden -- a Children's Garden -- that pays tribute
to Mr. Simmon's lifelong contributions. We encourage you to help
us build the garden to become a peaceful place of refuge and security
for Charleston's children.
Another
resource: Philip Simmons
Foundation
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