Rose Iron Works - Hidden Cleveland Gem

Overlook Park Neighborhood Association had the wonderful opportunity of taking a field trip of sorts to Rose Iron Works on E. 43rd St. in Cleveland. For over 100 years, Rose Iron Works, a family business, has been known for exceptional quality decorative metalwork. Together with industrial metalworking (started during the Depression to make ends meet), their products range from traditional to Art Deco and Contemporary styles. 

Clients of Rose Iron Works (RIW) include the Mathers, Walter and Windsor White, Dr. George Crile, the Vansweringen and Halle brothers, and institutions such as Rockefeller’s church, The Temple at University Circle, and St. James Catholic Church here in Lakewood. Many houses on Millionaire Row exhibited their craftsmanship. More recent works include collaborating with Victor Schrenkengost with "Time and Space" - the Zodiac Mural at Cleveland Hopkins, and the hall mural at the Botanical Gardens. Additional commissioned work includes the stylized Ohio State seal in Youngstown, railings at the Cleveland Museum of Art, works at Western Reserve Herb Garden, the Union Club, as well as corporate sculpture and logos for many firms such as Republic Steel, Marathon and BP. RIW’s work has been recognized with awards and acclaim throughout its existence. Karen Kasich, First Lady of Ohio, sought them out to design and create a chandelier for the Governor’s Residence. Some of their pieces are at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Check out any metalwork in your Lakewood home, including decorative metal stair railings for the RIW stamp. Visit their website at roseironworks.com to match designs found in your own Lakewood or Cleveland home.

The grandson of founder Martin Rose, Bob Rose, graduated from Carnegie-Mellon with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Continuing his family’s legacy, Bob created an Artist in Residency program. He recruited Stephen Yusko, having admired his work for several years including his reputation as a fine designer and smith. Overlook Park neighbors also met Yusko in his new studio behind RIW’s building. Yusko has shown his work in juried exhibitions nationwide and has taught at several craft schools and universities.

The 2017 World Congress will be held in Cleveland from May 14-21, 2017. This Congress will focus on the works of distinguished artists, designers, and craftsmen in America’s industrial heartland. Rose Iron Works will be featured. See ArtDecoWorldCongress.org for more details.

Additionally, the first major museum exhibition to focus on American taste during the creative explosion of the 1920s, ‘The Jazz Age’ will be a multi media experience of more than 400 examples of interior design, industrial design, decorative art, jewelry, fashion, architecture, music and film. Several historic pieces produced by Rose Iron Works between 1926-31 are included in the show. The detail of their Muse with Violin screen (pictured here) is featured as the cover of the catalog for this exciting show. Cleveland Museum of Art Sept. 30-January 14, 2018.