Memories of Jack Lewis exhibition opens July 19 at RAL
A special exhibition celebrating the artistic career of Jack Lewis will run from Friday, July 19 through Sunday, Aug. 25, at the Rehoboth Art League. Selected Lewis works from the State of Delaware, the Rehoboth Art League, Raubacher Gallery and the Lewis family collections will be on display.
Some of the work will also be available for purchase. On Friday, July 19, a Memorial Celebration will be held at 4 p.m., followed by the exhibition opening at 5.
At 10 a.m., Saturday, July 20, Heather Lewis, Jack’s daughter, will talk about life growing up with Jack Lewis. An artist herself, Heather will discuss Jack’s influence on her artwork and share with others his philosophy on art and art education.
Just days away from celebrating his 100th birthday, Jack Lewis passed away Aug. 19, 2012, in York, Maine. Lewis was one of Delaware’s most celebrated artists and known by many for his engaging paintings of people and scenery throughout Delaware. Considered one of the Rehoboth Art League’s founding artists, Lewis, was honored in November 2011 with a unique show at the art league, A Survey of Jack Lewis: From Home & Beyond.
Lewis came to Delaware in the 1930s to work for the Civilian Conservation Corps. As an artist he was commissioned to paint the daily activities of the corps. He soon was a regular contributor to the local art scene. Jack became a regular instructor and artist at the Rehoboth Art League for several decades and served as an inspiration for many young artists who took his classes.
As an educator, Lewis taught art in Delaware public schools and Delaware Community College from 1949-76. As an author, he published several books with forewords written by notable Americans such as N.C. Wyeth and Eleanor Roosevelt. As a fine artist, Jack is known for depiction of people and places.
In 1982, Lewis received the Governor’s Award for the Arts. In 1986, Lewis was commissioned by Delaware’s Legislative Council to create murals celebrating the bicentennial of Delaware’s Ratification of the Constitution. These murals can be seen hanging in Legislative Hall in Dover. In 2010, Gov. Jack Markell bestowed the prestigious Order of the First State to Jack Lewis.
In addition to Memories of Jack Lewis, two other exhibitions will be on display. July Monthly Pairings is the first of a monthly series to be showcased in the mini gallery in the Corkran. These shows will focus on the juxtaposition of Heritage artists with contemporary artists in many media and genres. The July show will feature Tom Wilson, Margery Pyle and Herman Dahl. Recycled/Upcycled Art will be a Member Showcase in the Historic Homestead. This show will feature art created with recycled or upcycled materials.
The Jack Lewis Memorial Celebration, the exhibitions and the opening reception are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Additional information about this exhibition and other art events and classes is available at rehobothartleague.org or by calling 302-227-8408.
