Barry Schlecker is the Founder of Barry Companies in downtown Wilmington. Read his story as this week’s #PeopleOfWilmDE!
Barry Schlecker has spent a lifetime bringing people together—whether in business, through his vast network of professional connections, or in more recent years, as a champion of the arts. For over four decades, Schlecker made his mark in Delaware as a networking maven and the founder of Barry Companies and Network Personnel. Barry’s connection to the community and the movers and shakers of Delaware has left a tremendous mark on the First State. His ability to connect extends far beyond office walls, however, shaping his legacy as an arts and culture pioneer in the Brandywine Valley.
A Wilmington native, Schlecker’s roots were steeped in hard work and community. His parents, who owned a downtown grocery store while juggling additional jobs, inspired in him a tireless drive and a commitment to local connections. “I always had other projects,” Schlecker recalls. These “projects” included hosting invitation-only networking groups, running antiques shows fueled by his love of primitive furniture, and amassing an impressive modern and outsider art collection that boasted over 600 pieces.
It was Barry’s transformational turn at the helm of the Brandywine Holiday Festival of the Arts that cemented his reputation as a force for cultural revival. Schlecker took the reins of the decades-old event and infused it with new life, growing it into a “can’t-miss” celebration of creativity. The festival now showcases over 250 adjudicated artists, along with live music and local cuisine, drawing thousands of visitors each September. “I soon learned that the arts festival is a full-time job if you want to grow it,” and the festival continues to grow, as Barry’s influence has made the Brandywine Festival of the Arts a cornerstone of Wilmington’s cultural calendar.
Schlecker’s passion for the arts is deeply personal. He describes how his approach to collecting evolved over time: “It hit me that I’m buying the art, one, because I love the art, and, two, because I love the artists. Knowing or loving or caring for the artists was the difference.” His devotion to outsider and regional art has led him to connect with creators from Alabama to Tennessee, as well as those close to home through his time on the board of the Delaware Contemporary.
Beyond the Brandywine Festival, Schlecker also reinvigorated the beloved Rockwood Ice Cream Festival, a family-friendly event that, like the arts festival, became a celebration of community spirit. The road was not without challenges; on the eve of one festival, Schlecker suffered the devastating loss of his son, David, who had been helping him organize the event. With the support of his longtime partner, Ginger Weiss, Schlecker persevered, turning grief into determination to bring people joy.
Adding significant depth to Delaware’s cultural offerings, Schlecker spent 10 years producing the Newark Film Festival, which later evolved into the WilmFilm Festival. This pioneering event was the first of its kind in Delaware to showcase independent films, which Barry carefully curated under his philosophy of presenting “movies that matter.”
Schlecker continues to innovate, recently launching the Brandywine Holiday Festival of the Arts, further expanding his impact on the region’s cultural landscape. Whether connecting Delawareans with great art or each other, Schlecker’s career reflects a singular devotion to community, creativity, and care. In his own words: “I love the artists.” And in turn, his work has helped the Brandywine Valley—and its people—love art just a little more.
