Acclaimed Lewes artist Steve Rogers explores the evolution of watermen’s livelihoods in his Peninsula Gallery solo exhibition, “Passages of Time.” On display from October 4th to the 26th, 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.  

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     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 State of Delaware 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, Steve has become a prominent figure in the American marine art scene.

 

     Steve’s boats are not pampered fiberglass yachts, but rather hard-bitten and 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. Steve’s 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.