Rhodes was born in Fort Dodge in 1911. As a youth, his ability was honed through summer courses at the Art Institute of Chicago, and by the age of 18, he left home to pursue a degree in art history from University of Chicago. Furthering his education, he came back to Iowa and for two summers in 1932-1933 worked with Grant Wood at the Stone City Art Colony. In 1933, he traveled to New York, to study at the Students Art League, under the artistic guidance of regionalist John Stuart Curry.

Rhodes was a silent guardian of the deceptively simple yet essential elements of our world, fire and clay. He was a pioneer of ceramic technique and creation. His building techniques for large-scale ceramic sculpture and books on traditional practices of ceramic making contributed significantly to the contemporary ceramic art movement.

The art of using clay to express oneself is a connection to the early beginnings of civilization. Ceramic artifacts are among the most common that can be found on all corners of the world from every time period.

“There is in pottery a thread of connection with the earliest traditions of civilization and culture,” Rhodes said.

-Submitted photo Daniel Rhodes was born in Fort Dodge and went on to become an internationally known artist. The Blanden Memorial Art Museum is holding an exhibit of his work.

His lasting legacy is found in the work being produced today at art schools and ceramic studios all across the country.

The exhibit at the Blanden chronicles a creative evolution and an individual looking for a sense of place.

The Rhodes exhibit will be on display at the museum until Nov. 11.

-Submitted photo The Blanden Memorial Art Museum is holding an exhibit of Fort Dodge native Daniel Rhodes’ work, like the one pictured.