Jack Simmerling's reflections of Historic Chicago have earned the artist a special place in history. His watercolor paintings and pen and ink renditions of historic landmarks, cityscapes, and landscapes have long been favorites of private and corporate collectors worldwide.
Simmerling's artwork has been extensively commissioned by a vast array of clients, including the City of Chicago, prominent cultural and educational institutions such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; The University of Notre Dame (his alma mater); The University of Illinois at Chicago; Dominican University; St. Xavier University; the Vanderbilt family's Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina; Lexus/Toyota; Bradley University; The Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau; The Chicago Club and many others .
As a high school student, The Chicago Tribune first recognized Simmerling's talents in a 1952 feature article that showcased his unique portrayals of historic Chicago. This Distinction was the first of many to follow the artist's prolific work. Simmerling's original paintings and lithographs have been the subject of numerous one-man shows and exhibits in Chicago and throughout the United States, during the past four decades. Most of his recent work are available at The Heritage Gallery, which Simmerling established in Chicago shortly after his graduation from college in 1958. Today, The Heritage Gallery features works by many artists and artisans and has marked its 44th year as one of Chicago's finest galleries for art, and custom framing.
As a champion of Historic Preservation, Simmerling has had more than a collector's interest in pieces of our history. Over the years, he has continually made his case for saving Chicago's past, from the lecture circuit to the halls of the Supreme Court.
His book, Chicago's Old Homes - Legends and Lore, (now in it's third edition from McGraw-Hill), documents his five decades of research in an effort to promote future preservation efforts. Other books written co-authored by Simmerling include titles on historic churches, the Great Depression, World War II, Irish Immigration, and the Civil War.
The artist's formal training includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame, where he also received the prestigious Emil Jacques medal for artistic excellence. As the principal student of artist and Notre Dame professor Stanley Sesslar, he was taught painting in the style of John Singer Sargent, under whom Sessler was directly trained.