Steve Rogers exhibit to open with Oct. 4 reception at Peninsula Gallery
Acclaimed Lewes artist Steve Rogers explores the evolution of watermen’s livelihoods in his solo exhibition, Passages of Time, on display from Saturday, Oct. 4 to Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Peninsula Gallery in the Shops at the Beacon, 520 East Savannah Road, Lewes.
This showcase will feature 20 paintings from Rogers that illustrate the aging and weathering of working boats, fishermen's equipment and dockside shacks. These medium- to large-scale acrylic images are quintessentially Steve Rogers. They serve as a testament to his profound connection to the maritime world and his dedication to preserving a disappearing way of life.
An opening reception will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Oct. 4, free and open to everyone. Patrons can enjoy a night out with complimentary food and drink, while chatting with the artist about his work.
Steve Rogers is a celebrated painter whose evocative work captures the enduring beauty of maritime life. A graduate of Franklin and Marshall College with a degree in anthropology and geology, Rogers transitioned to a career in art in 1989 after years of professional service in the Air Force and industry. His artistic journey, fueled by a lifelong admiration for the ocean and its surrounding culture, has earned him many accolades, including a Delaware Division of the Arts Established Professional Fellowship and induction into the Delaware Maritime Hall of Fame. Represented by esteemed galleries like the Peninsula Gallery in Delaware and the Portland Art Gallery in Maine, Rogers has become a prominent figure in the American marine art scene.
Rogers’ boats are not pampered fiberglass yachts, but rather hard-bitten, overworked oystermen, crabbers and menhaden steamers. His paintings capture the toughness and durability of everyday working boats, and the beauty and terror of the weather in which they work. His depictions are incredibly accurate, down to the materials and construction of each particular type of vessel. His palette is rich with natural tones of ochre, umber and rust set off by shadows in cool blues and stark blacks. His lighthouses glow with an ethereal aura, beckoning the shipmen back to shore.
What makes Rogers' work particularly compelling is his ability to weave personal narrative and historical authenticity into each piece. His dedication to documenting Delaware's oceanic history — in both his paintings and contributions to local institutions — underscores the cultural significance of his practice. Rogers' art not only preserves a rich heritage but also invites contemporary audiences to reflect on the intersection of nature, industry and human endeavor. In doing so, he enriches the discourse of American art, ensuring that the stories of the sea and those who live by it continue to inspire future generations.
