UD confers honorary degree on artist Edward Loper

8:21 a.m., May 11, 2004--Longtime Wilmington artist and teacher Edward Loper received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the University of Delaware on Saturday, May 8, during African American Students of Distinction ceremonies in Clayton Hall.

In his introductory remarks, UD President David P. Roselle asked current students, as well as former students who trained under the artist’s guidance, to join in recognition of Loper’s special contributions as artist, teacher and mentor.

“Mr. Loper has distinguished himself with nearly 70 years of achievement as an artist,” Roselle said. “I hope you learn by his example to be lifelong learners and inquirers.”

Loper is the first Delaware artist to be added to the Paul R. Jones Collection at UD. Donated to the University in 2001 by Atlanta collector Paul R. Jones, the 1,500-piece collection represents one of the oldest, largest and most complete holdings of African-American art in the world.

The three works by Loper that are part of the Paul R. Jones Collection include “Portrait of Benoit Cote,” “Winter Still Life” and “Buildings.” The last work has been part of UD’s Permanent Art Collection since 1967.

In conferring the honorary degree, Cynthia Primo Martin, a member of UD’s Board of Trustees, cited the connection between UD and the artist who first gained recognition in the 1937 annual Delaware Show of the Wilmington Society of Fine Arts.

“Indeed, nine years before the official admittance of black students on our own campus, the art department here presented a Loper exhibition in the gallery of the then Memorial Library,” Martin said. “The exhibition was the first of its kind.”

Martin also said that Loper’s paintings are now part of many collections, including those of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the Museum of African-American Art in Tampa, the Museum of American Art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the Howard University Gallery of Art.

Besides highlighting his achievements as an artist and teacher, Martin noted that Loper played football and basketball at Howard High School, and his athletic skills earned him a place in the Delaware African-American Athletic Hall of Fame.

Martin described Loper as a man of vision who draws strength from within.

“You are witness to the fact that one person can make a significant difference in the lives of many,” she said. “We salute you for your vision and your many accomplishments and give special thanks for your years as artist, teacher, mentor and friend.”

Artist Edward Loper: “Most people think that the ‘picture’ is what a painting is all about, but a painting also is about the qualities that a human being tries to show to the rest of the world.”

In his acceptance speech, Loper remarked that the basis of his success was the time he spent in Howard High School, where he said the teachers were among the best in the state.

“While I was there, I learned that if I was going to be a painter, I needed to learn everything I could about works of art,” Loper said.

He said his desire to learn more about works of art was greatly enhanced by his experiences at the Barnes Foundation in Merion, Pa.

“I did not know any of these things until I went to the Barnes Foundation and met a lady named Violette de Mazia,” Loper said. “Through her, I learned how to look at and appreciate works of art.”

Throughout his career, Loper has continued to pass on his passion for painting by serving as mentor and teacher to generations of students at the Wilmington Society of Fine Arts, the Christina Cultural Arts Center and Lincoln University.

“Most people think that the ‘picture’ is what a painting is all about, but a painting also is about the qualities that a human being tries to show to the rest of the world,” Loper said. “Works of art are about human expression and the expression of a certain situation. This is something that I try to get across to all my students.”

The honorary degree, which was first bestowed by UD in 1841, is the highest honor that the University bestows and is presented to individuals whose contributions to the quality of life in the state and the nation warrant exceptional recognition.

Past recipients include Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, author and neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Carson, former Spelman College President Audrey Forbes Manley, scientist J. Craig Venter and artists Andrew and Jamie Wyeth.

After the awarding of the degree, a musical selection by seniors Monica L. Farmer and Danielle Ingram, Judith Y. Gibson, assistant vice president for affirmative action and multicultural programs, introduced this year’s African-American Students of Distinction. Farmer and Ingram concluded the program with a presentation of “Pippa’s Song” by Ned Rorem.

Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Duane Perry

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