Howard Schroeder: Two artists and close friends leave lasting impression

This is the last of a three-part series on Howard Schroeder on the eve of the 20th anniversary of his death. For 50 years, Howard Schroeder worked arduously to see the Sussex County art community organize and grow.

Howard Schroeder mused about the singularity of his approach back in 1985.

“I feel like I am part of a breed of artists that is dying out. We liked to sit outside and do landscape and we liked to produce,” noted the legendary artist who lived in Lewes.

That distinct group included his lifelong friend, Jack Lewis, another iconic Delaware artist who just passed away in 2012. For more than 50 years, the two turned the varied Delaware landscape into picturesque sceneries that earned them the praise of people across the state and the region.

Their work continues to grace public and private buildings throughout Delaware, and their recordings of a more idyllic life remain treasured. Together, they were on Delaware Today’s list of The 50 Most Influential Delawareans of the Past 50 Years.

“Dad and Jack were great friends who painted in Delaware for 60 years, just for the love of painting. It didn’t matter what the subject was. They would just pack up their supplies and drive across Delmarva to paint,” recalled John Schroeder, one of Howard Schroeder’s six children.

Interest and demand for Howard Schroeder’s work remains strong. A number of his pieces were recently on display at The Inn of Canal Square as a benefit exhibit to support the construction of the new Lewes Public Library. Within 45 minutes of the four-hour show’s opening, 33 of the 37 pieces were sold. The remaining four will be offered at a later library event. The sale generated more than $30,000 for the library (100 percent of the proceeds) and attracted more than 200 people. The event was sponsored by the Greater Lewes Foundation.

Almost 20 years after his death, Schroeder’s work remains revered as do Lewis’ creations.

Fittingly, a number of their paintings have a permanent home at the Lewes library. A mural of Southern Delaware beach scenes painted 40 years ago by Lewis hangs in the Children’s Wing. Several of Schroeder’s pieces, including “Lighthouse,” beautify the library.

Schroeder and Lewis also taught at the Rehoboth Art League where they encouraged many artists to pursue their artistic dreams.

“Wherever I go, I hear, ‘I took a lesson from your dad’. It was the same with Jack. People came away from these classes with a different perspective on art,” John Schroeder said.

They would both agree that a love for art sparked a deep friendship.

“Our paths have crossed over the many years of our growing together. We all remember the picnics at the pond near Lewes, where the Schroeder kids ran over the fields in search of Indian darts, and where, under the stars, we enjoyed good talk and singing,” reminisced Jack Lewis in 1994.

Ten years later, at a gathering with the Schroeder children, The Cape Gazette recorded Lewis’ fond recollection of his dear friend.

“He taught 12 classes a week, framed pictures in his frame shop and painted constantly. I would look at him and think, “My God, how can he raise this family?” He would have all these kids, six of you, climbing over him - and Howard was smiling.”

Today, many others smile as they appreciate the creations of Schroeder and Lewis.

“Because they were so prolific and painted everywhere, today we have a record of a Delaware that no longer exists,” John Schroeder said.