Edward L. Loper Jr. American, 1934-2023

Loper Jr. dedicated over 60 years to pursuing his passion as a self-taught artist. Born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, he led a dual life as both a student and a teacher. While attending Wilmington High School, Loper developed an interest in architecture and welding, but when there was no teacher for the class, the principal allowed him to teach and guide his peers, marking the beginning of his artistic career.

 

 Loper has become a celebrated figure in the art world, sharing the stage with legendary artists such as Romare Bearden, Sam Gilliam, and Faith Ringgold. His works demonstrate his mastery of the craft, capturing moments in time with exquisite detail and emotion. His art has been showcased in numerous national exhibitions and esteemed institutions such as the Barnes Foundation, the Delaware Art Museum, and the Brandywine River Museum. The Biggs Museum of American Art, Rehoboth Art Museum, and Delaware State University have recently acquired his works.

 

 In 2022, Loper had the opportunity to showcase his paintings in a group exhibition in Paris, France, and the exhibit is currently in Rome. This was made possible thanks to the U.S. Department of State "Art in Embassies'' program and Somerville Manning Gallery. Additionally, Loper's works are also part of corporate collections, including Wilmington Trust, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Christiana Care, and Delaware Trust.