Work samples
About Schroeder
Baltimore City
Originally from Washington, DC, Schroeder Cherry is an award- winning Maryland-based painter and puppeteer whose art for decades has captured everyday scenes of African diaspora life. He has performed puppetry in museums, cultural centers, libraries and schools across the United States, and his art is in numerous private and public collections. As a museum professional, he has worked in seven U.S. museums, including the Studio Museum in Harlem; The J. Paul Getty Museum; The Art… more
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Barber Shop Series
The Barber Shop Series is inspired by those places men go to get shaves and their hair cut. While waiting to be serviced, and later in the chair, customers share an environment ripe with conversation, political views, and perspectives on every day events. Some men visit their shop weekly or bi-weekly, making it a communal space. The series depicts shops in Baltimore and surrounding areas.
These works are acrylic with objects on wood.
These works are acrylic with objects on wood.
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Barbershop Series #42 CutsAcrylic, glass, thread, metal with objects on wood. 26 x 27 inches Private collection
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Barber Shop Series #53, TightAcrylic, glass, thread, metal with objects on wood. 25 x 30 inches
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Barber Shop Series # 55Acrylic, glass, thread, metal with objects on wood. 32 x 29 inches
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Barber Shop Series # 58Acrylic, glass, thread, metal with objects on wood. 33.5 x 31.5 inches
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Barber Shop Series #35, ShootAcrylic, glass, thread, metal with objects on wood. 29 x 39 inches
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Barber shop Series#37Acrylic, glass, thread, metal with objects on wood. 30.5 x 22 inches. Private collection
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Barber shop Series#36 SideAcrylic, glass, thread, metal with objects on wood. 31 x 25.5 inches
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Barber Shop Series#50, PreyAcrylic, glass, thread, metal with objects on wood. 27 x 24 inches Private collection
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Barbershop Series #48, TrimAcrylic, glass, thread, metal with objects on wood. 30 x 20 inches Private collection
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Barbershop Series #47, Own 28.5 x 21 inches-1.jpgAcrylic, glass, thread, metal with objects on wood. 28.5 x 21 inches
Assemblage Portraits
Assemblage Portraits use acrylic and objects on wood to depict people, real and imagined.
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SongDoor Open private collection
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I've Watcheddoor closed text by Thomas Estler Private collection
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No Touchdoor open Text by Thomas Estler.
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Word
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Reclaiming My Timedoor open , 21.5 x 9.5 x 8 Private collection
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Graduatedoor open private collection
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Family Tree door open-1.jpgMixed media on wood. Private collection
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Joker30.5 x 10.5 x 1.5 inches Acrylic, wood, objects on glass washboard
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No Labels24“ x 10”
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Two Dads31 x 31 inches photo by Minas Konsolas
Schroeder Cherry and His Puppets
Schroeder Cherry played with puppets as a kid. In college he tried puppets again and was hooked. He apprenticed to a puppet master in Chicago and joined a troupe before setting out on his own. Working with sculpted rod puppets and wood cut outs that he designed, Schroeder has performed original shows with puppets in museums, libraries, schools, and cultural centers across the United States. Performances include: "Can You Spell Harlem?," "The Land of Primary Colors," "Underground Railroad, Not A Subway," "Tuskegee Airmen," "How The Sun Came To The Sky," and "Civil Rights Children's Crusade." Puppet Docent Ms. Lily was designed specifically to lead adult tours in museums and art galleries.
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Puppet Jamahl with drumJamahl. Rod puppet with drum.
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Puppet Ms. LilyMs. Lily at Wits End Puppet Slam, Takoma Park, MD
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Puppet Curtis EntrepreneurRod puppet singing blues song
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How The Sun Came To The SkySet for How The Sun Came To The Sky. Rod puppet with wood cut-outs.
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Puppet TevinPuppet Tevin at Smihsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum, talking about Tuskegee Airmen.
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Underground Railroad Not A SubwayCabin scene of rRailroad, Not A Subway.
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Puppet Ms .Maya O'PinionMs. Maya O'Pimion, rod puppet.
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Mr. BojanglesPuppets Mr. Zeke and Smooth Earl perform "Mr. Bojangles."
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Puppet Dallas Dan w guitar32 x 10 x 4 inches
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Ms LilyPuppet Ms. Lily, museum docent.
Angel Can Series
Inspired by a Garcia Marquez short story about an angel that fell to earth, the Angel Can Series depicts Black males as spiritual beings. The works are acrylic, glass, metal, wood and found objects on cans. These "Kick Ass Angels'" are spiritual guides one calls on when in the thick of it. They are effective because they have seen some things. Each angel is numbered on the inside lid.
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Angel Can #789.5 x 9 x 3.5 inches. Private collection
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Angel Box.jpg
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Angel Can # 669x9x2.5 inches
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Angel Vessel #414 x 5 acrylic on wood with African gourd, metal, cowrie. Private collection
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Angel Can #688.5 x 12 x 2.75 inches Private collection
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Angel Can #739x11x2.25 inches Private collection
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Angel Can #718 x 9 x 2.75 inches Private collection
Railroad Porter Series
The Railroad Porter Series commemorates those people who toiled on American railroads, largely establishing America's first Black middleclass.
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Janus with Schedule48 x 30 inches Private collection
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Traveling Shoes.Acrylic, glass, thread, metal with objects on wood. 48 x 30 inches Private collection
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I Got Two MindsAcrylic, glass, thread, metal with objects on wood. 48 x 24 inches Private collection
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Baker King22 x 10 inches Private collection
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Sliver Tray w slice
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GenerationsAcrylic, glass, thread, metal with objects on washboard. Private collection
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WantedAcrylic with objects on wood. Private collection
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GraduateAcrylic, glass, thread, metal with objects on wood. Private collection
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Work Clothes Play ClothesSilver trays and mixed media. Private collection
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2 knivesSilver tray and mixed media. Private collection
Music Series
The Music series is inspired by events and sounds. Some works depict actual activities, others are imagined.
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Piano46 x 48 inches
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Serving_Slices_30 x 26 inches.
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Watermelon Blues48 x 46 inches.
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Double Blow
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Sing28 x 25 inches
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Sax Man38.5 x 22.25 inches
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To Die For47 x 27 inches
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Blow48 x 32 inches
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Mens Choir 1.JPGAcrylic with objects on wood. Private collection
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Sang!32.5 x 22.5 inches Private collection
Narratives
Narrative pieces are open ended stories inspired by literature, music, convesations, events and travel. Although I work from a particular idea, viewers are encouraged to interpret their own storyline. There is no one story. I often like to eavesdrop when people are talking about the work. Sometimes what they come up with is rich, and completely different from what I had in mind.
Protest Series
The Protest Series is inspired by contemporary events, such as the Covid pandemic, voter suppression efforts, and Black Lives Matter protests.
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Good Trouble (doors closed)Acrylic with objects on wood and metal washboard. 33 x 12.5 inches
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Tic_Tac_Covid_30_x_30_inches.jpgTic Tac Covid Acrylic, thread with objects on wood 30 x 30 inches
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Good TroubleAcrylic with objects on washboard. 33 x 28 inches.
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MaskAcrylic with objects on wood 30.5 x 35.25 inches
Future Voter Series
The Future Voter Series is inspired by voter suppression efforts in American elections, present and historic. The focus is on youth who witness the current political climate, and will grow to be adult voters.
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Future Voter#11acrylic, metal with objecst on wood; 31.5 x 26.5 inches
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Future Voter #3Acrylic with objects on wood. 21 x 20 inches~2.jpg Private collection
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Future Voter Series #12, TwnsAcrylic with objects on wood. 38 x 27 inches
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Future Voter #29, Splash GirlAcrylic with objects on wood 27 x 38.5 x 3 inches 2023
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Future Voter #26 Splash BoyAcrylic with objects on wood. 2023