"Richard Calvo:
Photographer & Mentor"
Retrospective with work by Brook Hedge
July 25 - August 23
We celebrate the life of photographer Richard Calvo with a retrospective exhibition of his work. The selection of photographs lovingly showcases his passion, talent, and life experiences. These pieces are accompanied by work from Lewes photographer, Brook Hedge, who was an artistic collaborator and close friend of Richard’s.
Richard Calvo was born in 1944 in Queens, NY after his parents emigrated from Spain and El Salvador in the 1930s. He spent his childhood in New York City and began working towards his degree in English Literature at NYU. He was drafted during the Vietnam War and sent to Vietnam as part of a Public Information Office unit. The duties of this group involved documenting and reporting newsworthy happenings in the war, both on the battlefield and off, and dealing with visiting media and dignitaries. Richard’s primary task was to write but he found a keen interest in the photographic aspect of this job. He returned from Vietnam with a camera and a new passion. Shortly after his homecoming, he won first prize in a photo contest and became absolutely hooked on photography. Calvo finished his degree at Pace University and worked his way toward becoming a full-time photographer, living in New York City for several years before moving to Long Island. During his professional career, he shot advertisements for large corporate organizations like sporting goods and cosmetic companies and presented his work at many galleries and art shows throughout the northeast. Richard and his wife Lori, who has had a major role in orchestrating the exhibition, moved to Southern Delaware in 2013, where Richard found inspiration in the serene rural surroundings.
This display is a look into the life of this great artist. The subjects span from coastal landscapes to historical images of war-time protests, to dramatic black and white shots of NYC and more. Many groupings will be narrated by Richard’s own words, as he was a beautifully skilled writer, or by stories recalled by Lori.
Brook Hedge retired to Lewes where she decided to follow her passion for photography after forty years in the legal profession in Washington D.C. She and Richard met during his first exhibition here at the Peninsula Gallery in 2014 and became dear friends. The two shared a love for Leica cameras. Both using the Leica M3 during the late 1960s and early 1970s, Richard captured images of pro-war demonstrations in Washington, D.C., and Brook was in California at UCSB photographing anti-war demonstrations. This symmetry is apparent in the show. Brooks says, “When we were not sharing brunches together with our spouses, we would meet for photography discussions. Richard was a wonderful mentor. Our time consisted of stories about our lives and lessons. He taught me the secrets of shooting effectively with a Leica 246, which papers to use, and the unique characteristics of certain lenses.”
Richard Calvo
“Cape Henlopen Lighthouse” 13” x 18” image 26” x 30” framed Richard’s last photo $1,800 sold | “Red Pickup Truck, Truck Rt 1 DE” 20” x 30” image 32” x 42” framed $2,200 | “Lightship, Lewes, DE” 9.5” x 5.5” image 22” x 18” framed $295 |
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“Color of Dreams” 14” x 14” image 29” x 29” framed $825 | “The Gate” 18.5” x 23” image 32” x 36” framed $2,100 | “Cold Spring Harbor” 13” x 20” image 26” x 30” framed $1,100 |
“Acadia” 9” x 9” image 22” x 22” framed $375 | “Moored, Long Neck, DE” 22” x 27.5” image 34” x 39” framed $2,200 | “The Quiet Before” 15.5” x 23.5” image 27” x 35” framed $1,495 |
“Prime Hook Nationa Wildlife Refuge” 20” x 30” image 33” x 42” framed $2,200 sold | “Summer Prelude” 19.5” x 19.5” image 32” x 32” framed $1,300 | “Summer’s End” 11” x 20” image 26” x 32” framed $925 |
“Love Creek” 15” x 20” image 30” x 26” framed $1,200 sold | “November Morning Lewes, DE” 20” x 30” image 33” x 42” framed $2,200 | “Last Day of Winter” 11” x 11” image 26” x 22” framed $525 |
“Joie de Vivre” 16” x 31” image 32” x 42” framed $2,100 sold | “The Wind” 15” x 15” image 26” x 22” framed $895 | “Normandy Morning I” 9” x 9” image 22” x 22” framed $375 sold |
“Normandy Morning II” 9” x 9” image 22” x 22” framed $375 sold | “Trees in the Fog” 7.5” x 19” image 22” x 26” framed $595 | “New York Snow” 19.5” x 10” image 29” x 18” framed $795 sold |
“Central Park, New York” 16” x 19.5” image 26” x 30” framed $1,200 sold | “Central Park Coach” 14” x 20” image 24” x 30” framed $1,100 | “Manhattan Skyline” 13” x 9” image 22” x 18” framed $495 |
“Manhattan Bridge” 8” x 6” image 22” x 18” framed $275 sold | “New York, NY” 30” x 24” image 42” x 32” framed $2,250 | “Mekong Delta” 10” x 6.5” image 14” x 18” framed $295 |
“Sidearms” 7.5” x 5” image 14” x 11” framed $195 | “Victory Granny” 7.5” x 5” image 14” x 11” framed $195 | “Only The Depraved” 7.5” x 5” image 14” x 11” framed $195 |
“Pro-War Apr 4,1970” 7.5” x 5” image 14” x 11” framed $195 | “Bible & Flag” 7.5” x 5” image 14” x 11” framed $195 | “Regent Street, London” 10” x 24” image 22” x 36” framed $1,000 |
“Carnaby Street London” 6” x 9” image 18” x 22” framed $295 | “Fossil Fuels” 12” x 7” image 22” x 18” framed $375 sold | “Untitled” 6” x 12” image 18” x 22” framed $325 |
Brook Hedge
“Ode to Richard” 8” x 12” image 15.5” x 19” framed $250 sold | “From the Window” 13” x 12” image 24” x 20” framed $495 sold | “Quietude” 12” x 15.5” image 22” x 24” framed $495 sold |
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“Out of Darkness” 12” x 12” image 24” x 20” framed $495 | “Dreams” 12” x 18” image 22” x 24” framed $495 | “Reaching” 10.5” x 10.5” image 24” x 20” framed $495 |
“1950s Classic Jungle” 13.5” x 9.5” image 23.5” x 18” framed $495 | “Beached” 11.5” x 17.5” image 22” x 26” framed $495 | “Leaves of Grass” 12” x 14” image 24” x 20” framed $495 |
“UCSB 1970 Building 1” 6.5” x 9.5” image 13.5” x 15” framed $195 | “UCSB 1970 Isla Vista” 12” x 8.5” image 22” x 17” framed $325 | “UCSB 1970 Anti-War Rally” 17” x 12.5” image 28.5” x 18” framed $495 |
“UCSB 1970 Building 2” 6.5” x 9.5” image 13.5” x 15” framed $195 | “Stephen” 10.5” x 8” image 22” x 16” framed $325 | “Morning Light” 12” x 8” image 23” x 16” framed $325 |
“Finale” 12” x 8” image 23” x 16” framed $325 | “At Rest” 8” x 11.5” image 20” x 20” framed $325 |