NEWSLETTER

Welcome to our Frank E. Schoonover Fund Newsletter. We are happy to announce that the Frank E. Schoonover Catalogue Raisonne and the limited edition have arrived at Oak Knoll Books in New Castle. This newsletter will keep you posted on details and upcoming activities including book signings, current exhibitions, publications, and events involving Frank E. Schoonover work.

SCHOONOVER WORKS FEATURED IN NATIONAL MAGAZINES

A special edition of the National Geographic magazine entitled "Searching for Treasure,"  featuring pirates and treasures, was published in June.  Schoonover's painting, 'Pirates Coming Through Charleston' (Daybook #1094) is seen as a full page spread on page 31 of the issue.

Schoonover's illustration commonly known as 'Over the Rails' (Daybook #1084) from the Blackbeard Buccaneer series, appears on the cover of the Spring 2011 issure of American Heritage (Volume 61, No. 1).  Later in the issue, on page 29, the well known Schoonover pirate image, 'Blackbeard in Smoke and Flames,' appears as part of the article entitled 'Blackbeard's Terror'.

The Schoonover Fund expresses appreciate to both publications for their recognition of Frank Schoonover's unparalleled romantic portrayal of the pirate world, especially life of the notorious Blackbeard.

THE DELAWARE ART MUSEUM

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the death of famed artist and illustrator Howard Pyle, the Museum presents their Centennial Exhibition entitled "Howard Pyle: American Master Rediscovered".  On September 7th, the exhibition, 'The Story Teller's Art: Reimagining America Through Illustration" will open and will continue through December 2012.

Don't miss a trip to see the wonderfully creative gifts in the Museum gift shop. Featured are note cards and postcards showing Schoonover works: "Hopalong Takes Command," "Hans Brinker," "Boy and Flamingo," and "Blackbeard in Smoke and Flame." Also available are copies of the Frank Schoonover: Catalogue Raisonne and the Schoonover documentary "A Long Life in Art."

UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

A recent issue of the University of Delaware Alumni Magazine - The Messenger - features a photo and short article about the donation of a Schoonover Catalogue Raisonne to the University Library  through the recent Choptank Foundation grant.  It was accepted by Dr. Harker, President of the University and the University Librarian.

TOWER HILL SCHOOL - JOAN OF ARC PAINTINGS

The Class of 1958 at their 50^th reunion class at Tower Hill  School made their class gift center on better showcasing the school's nine original illustrations by Frank E. Schoonover for the book Joan of Arc. Work has already begun by moving several of his paintings into the new Headmaster’s House library.  With new appropriate lighting, they present extremely well there.  The program will continue throughout this year until all of the paintings, which were recently conserved by Michael NeVille, are placed.

During November and December, 2010,  Misericordia University hosted a Schoonover Landscape Exhibition curated by John Schoonover. Louise Schoonover Smith also presented her new Schoonover landscape program in connection with that exhibit.  If you are interested in having that new program presented, please contact the Fund through the website at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

NEW WEBSITE ONLINE
The new, expanded, and improved website brings more information about Frank Schoonover and his work -  providing the complete database which is more accessible and easily searched.

Dave Meredith of Aztec in Wilmington, DE has made significant changes that will facilitate the ease with which visitors may view the art, find information, and compare works. Moreover, the images will be more readily available both individually and in groups.

SCHOONOVER DOCUMENTARY FOR SALE

" Frank E. Schoonover - A Long Life in Art", a half an hour documentary produced by Teleduction, was aired for the first time on, WHYY-TV, a PBS station on Labor Day, 2008 and has been subsequently reshown. COPIES OF THE DVD ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE at the Delaware Art Museum, the Brandywine River Museum and the Biggs Museum in Dover, DE.

This film was primarily financed by supporters of the Frank E. Schoonover Fund, Inc. The Wyeth Foundation donated a matching grant of $10,000 which was matched by the Schoonover Fund with the help of various supporters for the completion of the project.

During the summer of 2007, the film's director, Sharon Baker, the photographer, Karol Schmiegel (Schoonover Fund Board representative to Teleduction), and Louise Schoonover Smith met in Bushkill, PA, the location of Frank Schoonover's summer home. Filming occurred at the Big Bushkill across from the old homestead (no longer standing), the Bushkill Falls, the Delaware River, the Bushkill Cemetary where Schoonover family members are buried and other places of import.  Included are also rare video and sound clips of the artist as the story unfolds as told by his grandchildren, Louise Schoonover Smith, John Schoonover and Cortlandt Schoonover, Jr..

SECOND DOCUMENTARY COMPLETED

The award winning documentary entitled, "Frank E. Schoonover: The Authentic Artist," has been produced by WVIA in Scranton, PA with Executive Producer Andrew Sordoni. The work ,completed by the creative Art Director Greg Matkosky for this hour long presentation, features Schoonover's illustrative work in Scranton, Pennsylvania exposing injustices to children in the coal mines and women in the silk mills. It includes outstanding aspects of the artist's life and work, including the landscapes that he rendered of the environs of Bushkill, Pennsylvania and other sites along the Delaware River.

ARTICLE ON SCHOONOVER IN DELAWARE TODAY MAGAZINE

An extensive, well researched and well written article about Frank Schoonover is included in the October 2008 Delaware Today magazine. Writer Karol A. Schmiegel delves into his life which is documented with photographs and images of his paintings. Ms Schmiegel is also one of the three authors of the Schoonover biography in the Schoonover Catalogue Raisonne.

CHANGE IN EMAIL ADDRESS

Due to changes in the server for the Fund, the email address has been changed to [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ]. Please use that one until notified otherwise in this newsletter.

SCHOONOVER MURAL IN COURT HOUSE

All are invited to view the impressive mural entitled "The Artisan', painted by Frank E. Schoonover. Measuring 24' by 7' , it is located on a large wall just inside the entrance to the New Castle County Courthouse on King Street in Wilmington, DE. It can be viewed from the first floor or the second floor gallery across from the mural.

Painted in 1938 for the H. Fletcher Brown Polytechnic School, the mural was rescued when the school was demolished over twenty years ago. It was restored and restretched by Timothy Jayne and his staff at the Twistback Conservancy. The side panels explain the meaning of the mural.

SCHOONOVER GALLERY AT BIGGS MUSEUM FEATURES SCHOONOVER RED

On a visit to the Schoonover Gallery at the Biggs Museum in Dover, DE, viewers will enjoy significant oils by the artist as well as the 'Schoonover Red' paint on the walls. This color is found in most Schoonover paintings and was used as a signature highlight.

The Schoonover exhibit changes on a regular basis, so revisits are encouraged. For more information about the museum, please see the Biggs Museum of American Art website.

SCHOONOVER PRESENTATION

Louise Schoonover Smith regularly presents a program entitled "Frank E. Schoonover: His Life and His Art". Using PowerPoint, she provides an overview of Schoonover's fascinating and prolific career, highlighting specific points with the visuals.

She has made a presentation to the docents at the Delaware Art Museum and to many ogranizations in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania including the Wilmington We Louise st Rotary Club. For The Lincoln Club of Delaware, she presented a show concentrating on the Lincoln paintings by the artist.

A call to the office (302-656-9131) can arrange one of these presentations for your group.

BIOGRAPHY IN 'ILLUSTRATION MAGAZINE'

A well researched, comprehensive article entitled "Frank Schoonover and His Art" was featured in the JULY 2003 (Issue No. 7 ) of 'Illustration Magazine'. The article, written by his granddaughter, Louise Schoonover Smith, includes important benchmarks in the artist's life as well as memorable, and sometimes whimsical, remembrances of his life as an artist, teacher and involved member of the community. With excellent illustrations and check lists at the end, this article is not to be missed.

FINDING SCHOONOVER WORKS

It is truly gratifying to "find" paintings. They have been found all over the United States. We encourage anyone who reads this Newsletter to join us in the search for Schoonover work. Even though the book is published, additional information is welcome and will be published on our new website. Please let us know of any success by emailing us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or calling the office at 302-656-9131.


Important information is needed from each painting...especially if there are notes or labels on the stretchers or on the back of the painting. Schoonover often wrote the daybook number on the back of the paintings in black paint. Other information may had been included such as the locale and date. These are vital to the complete the information in the Catalogue Raisonne.

FES BIBLIOGRAPHY UPDATE....

The list of books illustrated by Schoonover has been updated, but is incomplete in this website. An updated list is included in the appendix of the Catalogue. If you are aware of any not included on the list, please advise us as soon as possible.

MUSEUM SUPPORT....

The Delaware Art Museum Library in Wilmington, DE, has been most cooperative in assisting us with research. Our volunteers have been able to use their extensive Frank E. Schoonover Archive. Also, in cooperation with the Registrar of the Museum and her staff, the Schoonover Fund co-sponsored a photo shoot at the Museum. The Fund is most appreciative of the support of the Museum and their staff. Please note that an appointment must be made to use the library.

The Board also ppreciates the staff at the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, PA. They have been most supportive of our project since its inception. That support included a photo shoot during the fall of 2004.

We thank The Kelly Collection of American Illustration located in Great Falls, VA, for their assistance. Through trips to the Kelly Collection, various groups have donated to the Schoonover research efforts. Donations such as these enable us to continue our work.

All of the museums mentioned above have significant Frank E. Schoonover collections and always have some of his work on display. As mentioned, the Biggs Museum in Dover, DE, also has a Schoonover Gallery which we hope you will visit when you are in the area.

DONATIONS.....

As a nonprofit (501c3)organization, the Fund continues through tax deductible donations. If you could find a way to help with a contribution, it would be most appreciated. Please make out a check to Frank E. Schoonover Fund, Inc. and send it to the address below. You will become an important supporter responsible for furthering this exciting, worthwhile effort. Thank you.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Our mailing address:

Frank E. Schoonover Fund, Inc.
P.O. Box 3686
Greenville, DE 19807-0686
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: (302)656-9131.

HALL OF FAME

Frank E.Schoonover was inducted into the Society of Illustrators's Hall of Fame in 1998.

The Society of Illustrators
128 East 63rd St. NYC, NY
(Phone 212-838-2560)
(www.societyillustrators.org)