Noted Sculptor Schomberg Returns to Brookdale

LINCROFT – Thomas Schomberg’s most recognizable work may be the iconic “Rocky” statue that stands outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art, although he has just completed a series of larger than life bronzes representing each major American sport surrounding the entrance of the prestigious Detroit Sports club.
Schomberg has also been commissioned to do memorials for the boxing team lost in a plane crash, another to honor Vietnam vets and another to honor the dogs lost at war. He also cast the larger-than-life bronze horses, an ancient and modern, a popular theme for the sculptor, at the first tee of Due Process County Club when it was Robert Brennan’s horse farm. And those are just a few of his many accomplishments. So the renowned sculptor and former faculty member’s visit to Brookdale Community College was a treat for many when he spoke at the college Monday evening.
Schomberg, who started at Brookdale as a young faculty member, called his visit “a homecoming,” spoke to the students, faculty and community members in the college’s Center for the Visual Arts. He talked about his life and career as a teacher and artist spanning the past 40 years, as well as his sculptures, which have been widely exhibited and collected. Earlier in the day he addressed an art class and presented the student who he thought had done the best work with a small Rocky statue to the teacher’s and students’ surprise.

The renowned artist talked about the stages of life so far, and each time he entered a new phase with a clean slate, from growing up in the ‘50s in the Midwest to his education at the University of Denver, his teaching career and a world knowledge trip through Europe. “My objective was to go to every art museum,” he recalled. And he almost did: “From Stockholm to Istanbul, Dublin to Spain and saw about 3⁄4 of museums.” New York, where he started his journey, was almost enough to satisfy his thirst for the arts.
He returned to the University of Denver for his MFA and eventually made his way east when he was invited to teach art appreciation at Brookdale Community College. It was here that he formed lifelong friendships, years of teaching memories, and met his wife Cynthia, whom he credits for much of his success – she became his talented agent – and his joy and happiness.
He returned to Colorado in 1975 and with Cynthia established Schomberg Studios. “I liked teaching,” Schomberg said, “but I enjoyed being in the studio more.”
During his talk, and with the help of slides of some of his works, Schomberg explained the technique, impetus and sometimes emotion involved with many of his pieces.
His sculptures of athletes – swimmers, boxers, runners and among others – demonstrating form, balance and anatomy make Schomberg’s works recognizable.
For example, “The Start Female” features a female swimmer in a graceful dive, outlining the contoured muscles. The sculpture was one of six he was commissioned to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the Detroit Athletic Club.
“You work with anatomy first,” said Schomberg, “then gesture.”
Some of his other works include “643” which in baseball means triple play; a football piece titled “Running Back” and “Down but Not Out… Lost but Not Forgotten,” which features a fallen boxer on a pedestal created for the International Amateur Boxing Association in memory of the American team killed in a 1980 airplane crash.
Yet it was the famed actor and art collector Sly Stallone’s commission for a “Rocky” sculpture for the movie “Rocky III” that catapulted Schomberg and his work into the public eye.
Now the famous statue that stands outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art is a must-see for visitors to the museum – or at least the “Rocky steps.”
“People are there all the time,” said Schomberg. “And it has kept my career alive.”
Much of Schomberg’s works are commissioned for memorials, including “War Dog” memorial, dedicated to the war dog efforts during the Vietnam War, the Armenian Memorial of the 1915 holocaust, and “The Gift” which symbolizes the sacrifices the American Indian endured throughout history. He is currently working on a 9/11 memorial series. “I’m always stimulated by events,” he said.
The Center for Visual Arts, where Schomberg delivered his talk, featured an exhibit titled “We/Re/E-Merge,” featured works from Brookdale Community College employees from nearly every division and discipline. This new mixed-media arts exhibition includes paintings, sculptures, photos, creative writing, live music and performance art created and performed by Brookdale employees.
“I would encourage anybody who wants to be an artist to try,” said Schomberg. “But it’s a selfish business. It requires a lot of personal concentration.
“It’s been a great journey,” he said, and that he’s still enjoying it.
“We make a very good team,” he said of his wife Cynthia. “I’m very fortunate I came to Brookdale.”