Featured Story
Alumni Artistic Achievement Award Presented to Kent Bloomer '53
On Friday, April 20, 2018, St. Luke’s honored alumnus Kent Bloomer '53 for his international achievements in the field of ornament architecture. Kent was nominated for the Alumni Artistic Achievement Award by his St. Luke’s classmate, John Ostheimer '53.
Kent and his wife, Nona Bloomer, live in Guilford, CT where Kent is the Chief Designer at Kent Bloomer Studio, a firm focused on the design and fabrication of architectural ornament and public sculpture. Kent also commutes to Yale University, where he has been a member of the architecture faculty since 1966.
Kent and his wife, Nona Bloomer, live in Guilford, CT where Kent is the Chief Designer at Kent Bloomer Studio, a firm focused on the design and fabrication of architectural ornament and public sculpture. Kent also commutes to Yale University, where he has been a member of the architecture faculty since 1966.
Event attendees were welcomed by Head of School Mark Davis and Mr. Bloomer was introduced by Stefanie Veneruso, Director of Alumni Relations. Guests were literally on the edge of their seats during Kent's remarks about his St. Luke’s experience, his professional path, and the etymology of “design words" we take for granted, such as ornament and superficial.
Kent’s Early Life
While a student at St. Luke’s, Kent had already established himself as both an artist and an academic. The 1953 Caduceus, of which he was Art Editor, described 18-year-old Kent in the following way:
"Kent is best known for three things: his art proficiency, his acid technique as a jazz drummer, and his colossal brain, usually functioning along the more abstract line. Whether bent over the drawing board, his traps, or a book, Kent has complete control and mastery of what he’s doing, and it is for this reason that we are sure he will make a great success of anything which he may choose to do. The honor-roll study hall would not be complete without the glorious sound of two pencils banging out a four-bar tag for “Basin Street” or “Wolverine” Blues, and that heavenly sound you hear upon entering the St. Luke’s portals on the evening of a dance is Kent, not the lesser Krupa. Whether it’s jazz or nuclear physics, Kent, we know you will be the best."
After graduating from St. Luke’s in 1953, Kent studied physics and architecture at MIT. He later transferred to Yale where he earned his bachelor of fine arts and master of fine arts. While still at Yale—at the young age of 24—one of Kent’s sculptures was featured in the Museum of Modern Art as part of the Recent Sculpture U.S.A exhibition.
Kent began his teaching career at Carnegie Mellon University, where he worked to develop the architecture program curriculum. In 1966 Kent accepted a position at Yale University where he began teaching Ornament Theory. Kent is still an active member of the Yale Architecture faculty.
Professional Life
In 1965, Kent founded Kent Bloomer Studio. Kent is the principal, founder, and chief designer. For each project, Kent designs and sketches his idea, then builds a model to scale, and then the final sculpture is built--usually in the studio. Kent and his colleagues often work with architecture firms and welding companies to complete their larger-than-life projects.
Some notable projects of Kent’s include:
- A foliated trellis for the Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.
- Luminaries in Central Park in New York City
- A roof ornament for Tuscaloosa’s new Federal Court Building
- A roof ornament for Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago
- An aluminum trellis for the public library in Manhattan, Kansas
- Duke Ellington Circle Lights on 5th Avenue in New York City
- Tree Domes for the New Orleans World’s Fair
Kent’s work has been featured in museums, including some permanent collections; he has won numerous national awards from organizations like the American Institute of Architects; he has served as a mentor and teacher to countless students; he has authored two books about ornament and architecture as well as several published articles. Kent is truly a master at all he does, and he has certainly made his alma mater proud.
Click here for more photos of the Alumni Artistic Achievement Award Ceremony.
Click here for more photos of the Alumni Artistic Achievement Award Ceremony.
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 35 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Center for Leadership builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
