Louis Schanker (1903-1981) was born in the Bronx, N.Y. As a teen he left New York and traveled across the country. He worked as a farmhand, in the circus, and on a Great Lake’s steamer. Many of his experiences during this period are pictured in his works. Upon his return to New York, he attended classes at the Art Students League and Cooper Union. He then traveled throughout Europe, studying at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris. It was there that he discovered cubism and abstract art which he painted throughout the remainder of his career.

Louis Schanker was a WPA artist. The Works Progress Administration was formed by the federal government (1935-1943) to assist workers during the Depression. During his WPA years he was a supervisor of the New York mural and graphics divisions. Schanker did murals for the Neponsit Children’s Hospital in Rockaway, Queens, the WNYC Radio Studios in Manhattan, and in the Science and Health building at the 1939 World’s Fair which was held in New York City.

The 1930’s and 40’s were a very turbulent time in the art world and many artist groups were formed. Schanker was involved in “The Ten Whitney Dissenters,” and was a founding member of the American Abstract Artists group as well as others which were attempting to bring abstract art to the public. He was talented in both music and art which is why so much of his art has a music theme. Schanker was also an athlete and enjoyed all sports. This accounts for the frequent depiction of sports figures in his works.

He taught art for 25 years at the Brooklyn Museum, the New School in Manhattan and at Bard College, N.Y. Schanker’s works are in the collections of many major museums. His work is characterized by its bold, geometric forms and vibrant color palette. Schanker is considered an important figure in the development of color woodcuts and abstract expressionism in the United States.

Schanker and singer, philanthropist Libby Holman married in 1960. They had homes in East Hampton, Long Island, New York City and Stamford, Connecticut. The “Treetops” Mianus Park property was donated by Libby as part of her estate. Libby and Louis were known for their numerous charity events at their homes, especially their yearly Daffodil festival in Stamford. Amongst the visitors were close friends Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, Lee Krasner, Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Libby, who was a long supporter of civil rights, had met King as a young preacher. She was so impressed with him that she became an important supporter and facilitated his traveling to India to learn the non-violent teachings of Gandhi. Libby, Schanker, and the Kings remained lifelong friends.

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