Governor and Education Secretary Accept Donations of Holocaust DVDs featuring Delawareans and Schoonover Art Catalogs for School Libraries
(Wilmington, DE) Earlier today at Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Governor Jack Markell, Secretary of Education Lillian M. Lowery, school administrators and students accepted donations from visual art-inspired individuals with strong Delaware roots: a filmmaker and an artist.
Public school libraries will be receiving the Holocaust documentary DVDs and valuable art catalogs of local artist Frank Schoonover through these generous contributions.
The first donation – a set of DVDs – produced by Delaware native Steve Gonzer, is the first five-set DVD collection recalling the horror of the Holocaust, as seen through the eyes of survivors, Righteous Gentiles, rescued children and liberators – all Delawareans. Entitled No Denying: Delawareans Bear Witness to the Holocaust, the eight-hours of documentary contains never-before-seen photographs and testimony from those who witnessed firsthand the horror of genocide that occurred during World War II.
"Steve Gonzer is a major force in ensuring our students never forget what occurred during the Second World War," said Governor Markell. "For more than 20 years, Steve has worked on this project through the Halina Wind Preston Holocaust Education Committee. With this donation, hundreds of thousands of students will benefit from his research and dedication to preserving the history of the Holocaust."
Former Secretary of Education Lillian Lowery agreed. "As horrible as the holocaust was, we must never forget and our children must never forget. I applaud the efforts of Steve Gonzer and his wonderful donation to our middle school and high school libraries."
With assistance from the Department of Education, the DVDs will soon be distributed to all public middle school and high school libraries.
The second donation is a two-volume Catalog Raisonne of artwork by one of Delaware’s most famous illustrators and painter – Frank Schoonover. The collection captures the more than 3000 art pieces Schoonover made during his lifetime. The artist painted up until his death in 1972, at aged 95. The donation was made possible by the Choptank Foundation. Mr. Schoonover’s granddaughter Louise Schoonover Smith and grandson, John made the presentation.
"In 1899, Frank Schoonover began his illustration and painting career and in 1900, moved to Wilmington where he would remain for the rest of his life," said Governor Markell. "Beginning in 1940, Frank concentrated on painting landscapes of the Brandywine and Delaware River valleys. In his life, he illustrated or painted more than 3000 works and sequentially numbered each and every one of them. Frank Schoonover recognized the beauty of our environment and captured it forever."
"Frank Schoonover’s work was truly wonderful," said Former Secretary Lowery. "I stand next to two portraits painted by Frank and you can see how magnificant his work truly is. I am honored that the Schoonover family will donate the Catalog Raisonne to all of our public high school libraries."
|
Delaware's Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education
for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.
|
Contact Info.
Alison Kepner Delaware Department of Education 401 Federal Street, Suite #2 Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone: (302) 735-4035 Fax: (302) 739-4654 Email: akepner@doe.k12.de.us |
Other Press Releases |
