Richmonder Ephraim “Ed” Steinberg is well knows in the Richmond art community for his paintings, screen prints, photo manipulation work and selling artwork out of laundromats.
Richmonder Ephraim “Ed” Steinberg is well knows in the Richmond art community for his paintings, screen prints, photo manipulation work and selling artwork out of laundromats.
Steinberg, whose work is currently on display at the Weinstein Jewish Community Center, is originally from Philadelphia. He moved to Richmond in 1936 when he was 16-years-old. He attended University of Richmond and achieved his B.S. in Chemistry. After his time at the university, he left Richmond and joined the United States Army of Engineers. After basic training with the Army he was discharged for commission to the Navy.
After moving back to Richmond for the second time after living in Baltimore for a few years working as a paint chemist, He started up his laundromat business while also working part time locally as a paint chemist. Sternberg’s love for art showed in his everyday work. He was know to set up art shows for the Richmond Professional Institute (RPI, which became VCU in the late 60’s) art students where they could show off their work to the neighborhood as they came to do their laundry.
“We got write ups all over for that,” said Steinberg, “We had national recognition.”
A lot of recognition, especially here in Richmond.
In the Library of Virginia’s Richmond Times-Dispatch database there are a number of articles written about up and coming art showings. Meadow Automatic Laundry, which was located at the time on the corner of Harrison and Grace, was listed the same as any art gallery in the area.
One article from the Sunday paper on May 20th, 1956 is a great example of what the listings looked like.
“The rotating exhibit of works by RPI students on the walls of the Meadow Automatic Laundry contains some striking works by Jim and Betty Drinard, Tom Jones, June Spain and Jim Leedy.” Read the article, “Three of the paintings have been sold. Ed Steinberg, the proprietor and a Sunday painter himself, has installed fluorescent lights so that the painting may be seen at night.”
The art exhibits were very popular, the Times-Dispatch reported on March 10th, 1957 the profits students made from showing their artwork.
“He (Steinberg) told RPI art students could display their art on the walls of his laundry.” The article continues, “The exhibitions have sold –with no commission to Steinberg– more than $1,000 worth of paintings.”
Steinberg, at the time, was taking art classes at RPI himself. The same article from 1957 also mentions the “proximity to the painting aroused Steinberg’s interest in art” so he started taking night classes at the Institute.
He wasn’t concerned about the degree but rather the lessons in art-making. Steinberg said eventually he gained enough credits to apply for graduation and attain his Bachelors of Fine Arts in 1986.
“One day I looked and I saw I had enough credits,” said Steinberg, “I said ‘okay, I’ll take my degree'”
Most of the subjects of his work comes from his experiences all over the world. After his time with the military, Steinberg found a passion in travel. With his camera in tow, Steinberg has stepped foot in Jerusalem, Norway, China, Spain and many more countries.
“I had a brother-in-law that use to get all these free trips,” said Steinberg, “His wife wouldn’t travel, wouldn’t fly anyway, so he took me.”
The photographs he took during his travels are the primary focus of his photo manipulation work. Through color manipulation done in the darkroom, Steinberg is able to separate the colors and decided which ones to highlight and which ones to hide.
After RPI merged with the Medical College of Virginia to form Virginia Commonwealth University, Steinberg returned to their art department where he taught screen printing for about 10 years. He has also taught screen printing at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
Richmond is not the only place Steinbergs artwork has been found, he has shown all over the United States and even outside with exhibits in London, England and Glasgow, Scotland.
Steinberg said he does very little painting or screen printing anymore, but every once and awhile he does enjoy going back to VCU and using their art facilities.
Steinberg’s work is on display at the Weinstein JCC now through August 16th.
