By Rapids City Times staff

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – An upcoming estate sale will feature the work of Wisconsin Rapids mosaic artist/designer, Gilbert Endrizzi.

Endrizzi

Endrizzi graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He then took a position with General Electric. Endrizzi married Kathrine Kyle and moved to Wisconsin Rapids, where he began a 35-year career with Consoweld Corporation – a division of Consolidated Papers.

“He was their designer for equipment and patterns for laminate counter top plastic that Consoweld was famous for,” said John Steiner, who is coordinating the estate sale. “In 1960, he started making mosaics from the laminate he designed. He also collaborated with Virginia Broderick who was a world-class religious artist from Milwaukee.”

The collaboration between Endrizzi and Broderick started when a supplier called on Consoweld Corporation and happened to see some of Endrizzi’s mosaic art. Knowing that Broderick’s artistic style was ideal for the Consoweld designs, the salesman connected the two.

“He made hundreds of these mosaics that he sold for over four decades,” Steiner added.

Some of the mosaics contain as many as 2,000 pieces and took several months to complete.

Endrizzi passed away on July 2. He left behind a long history of philanthropy, donating proceeds from his creations to help set-up and fund the St. Vincent de Paul Parish Twinning program. He made two trips to Haiti and donated resources to help build a grade school there.

“The last of his vast collection will be offered for sale in his estate sale,” explained Steiner.

All proceeds from his remaining 150 plus mosaics will continue to give to the Haiti programs.

The estate sale will take place April 18-20, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., at 455 Two Mile Ave., Wisconsin Rapids.