Walter Midener

Artist Walter Midener (1912–1998) was born in Germany, studied at the Berlin Academy of Arts (1932–1936), and received a Master of Arts (M.A.) from Wayne State University (1950). Midener settled in Detroit, Michigan where he became an influential sculptor and teacher. He was the head of the Sculpture Department of the Art School of the Society of Arts and Crafts, and president of The Center for Creative Studies. Midener was married to the collage artist Peggy Midener; their daughter Wendy Midener (now Wendy Froud) is an internationally exhibited sculptor and doll artist, and the designer of puppets for films such as The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, The Muppet Movie, and The Empire Strikes Back.