Leon Stanley KaweckiArtist
Born Chojnice, Poland, July 2, 1921; son of Adam and Elizabeth (Link); came to U.S. 1952; married Jacqueline Salamey, Apr. 25, 1953; children: Raymond Mark, Steven James, Daniel Noel, Barbara Rachelle; naturalized 1956.
Education: graduate State College Graphic Arts Poznan (Poland), 1939; student Pittsburg Art Institute, 1952-54, Otis Art Institute, 1964, California Institute of Arts, 1966-67, Art Center College Design, 1968, University of California, Irvine (UCI), 1968-71;
Career: Commercial artist, Fuller Label & Box Company, Pittsburg, 1952-57; packaging designer, Standard Packaging Corporation, Pittsburg, 1957-60; art director, Mead Packaging, Los Angeles, 1960-91. Retired.
Author: exhibited in shows in Warsaw, Poland, Dusseldorf, Germany, Pasadena, California, Los Angeles, Mexico City; designer United States Bicentennial Commemorative medal Freedom Founders, 1976; Polonus Commemorative medal, 1979 International Philatelic Exhibition; other Commemorative medals including John Paul II - A Son of Poland, 1981; 3OOth Anniversary Relief of Vienna - King John III, 1983; Polish American Congress, King John III Sobieski Savior of Christianity, 1983; 600th Anniversary Coronation and Marriage of King and Queen Jagiello, 1985; 175th Anniversary Birth Frederic Chopin 1985; Polish American Historical Association, 150th Anniversary of birth Helena Modjeska, 1990; Gen. Pulaski Memorial Commemoration, 1989; 200th Anniversary Constitution Poland, 1990.
Honors: Recipient, Silver medal All - Polish Scholastic Exhibition 1936; Grand award, University Pittsburg, 1960; Gold and Silver medals Folding Box lnternational competition, 1963; Silver medal United States Folding Box competition, 1966; Gold medal 500th anniversary Copernicus celebration Adler Planetarium, Chicago, 1973; Silver medal 500th anniversary Copernicus Celebration, Warsaw, Poland, 1973; Grand Prix, World Folklore Philatelic Exhibition, Chicago, 1978, award of excellence for exhibition, Orange County Advertisement Federation, 1978, State Order Cultural Merit, Polish Ministry of Arts and Culture, 1978, honorary medal and diploma 50th anniversary Regional Museum, Chojnice, Poland, Gold Cross of Merit Polish Government in Exile, London, others.
Member of: Supporting member, Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra, 1956-58; executive officer, Arizona - California National Copernicus Committee, 1971-73; National Society Art Directors, Art Directors CIub Los Angeles, Polonus Philatelic Society (honorary).
Resident: Garden Grove, CA.
From: "Polish Americans in California, Vol. II," National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association, California 1995.