The Historic Odessa Foundation is pleased to present Legacy of Delaware: The Paintings of Howard Schroeder (1910-95), a special exhibition celebrating the life and work of one of Delawares most accomplished 20th-century artists. The exhibition is on view through Sunday, Aug. 30, at the Historic Odessa Foundation Visitors Center in the organizations restored National Register Banking House in Odessa, Del. Featuring paintings from private collections alongside works on loan from the Rehoboth Art League, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience Howard Schroeders evocative portrayals of Delawares coastal landscapes, working waterfronts, historic towns and everyday life. Known for his bold compositions and expressive use of color, Schroeder chronicled the character and beauty of Delaware for more than five decades. His paintings captured fishing villages, marshes, sailboats, farms and the people who shaped the states cultural identity, creating a lasting visual record of a rapidly changing landscape. Howard Schroeder didnt simply paint Delaware, he helped define how generations of people have come to see it, said Brian Miller, Historic Odessas associate curator. This exhibition celebrates not only an extraordinary artist, but also a remarkable legacy that continues to inspire collectors, historians and artists throughout the region. Born in New York City in 1910, Schroeder studied at Syracuse University and the National Academy of Design before working as a commercial artist. During World War II, he was stationed at Fort Miles in Lewes, Del., where he discovered the coastal communities that would become the focus of his lifes work. Following the war, he and his wife, Marian, settled permanently in Delaware, opening an art supply store and gallery in Rehoboth Beach while Schroeder built a distinguished career as both painter and educator. A leading figure in Delawares postwar art community, Schroeder helped establish the Rehoboth Art Leagues renowned Sketch Group and Outdoor Fine Art Show, mentoring generations of artists while helping shape the states artistic identity. Although initially recognized as one of Delawares foremost regionalist painters, Schroeders work evolved over time, incorporating influences from Paul Czanne and American modernist John Marin into a distinctive style that balanced realism with expressive abstraction. The exhibition is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The Historic Odessa Foundation, established in 2005, owns and operates Historic Odessa, a 72-acre enclave of 18th- and 19th-century structures located in the town of Odessa in southern New Castle County, Del. The historic buildings and gardens along with a well-documented collection of more than 7,000 objects and furnishings offer a unique picture of Delawares Colonial period in a rural village that played a vital part in Americas commercial history. The town of Odessa, originally known as Cantwells Bridge, has retained much of its 18th-century charm and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and home to a National Historic Landmark and two National Park Service Network to Freedom sites. Learn more at www.historicodessa.org.