Dick Crispo

"A Brief History of Smiling", Modern Figural Collage by Dick Crispo

1987

Dick Crispo, born in New York City on January 13, 1945, has resided on the Monterey Peninsula since 1955. An award-winning artist, Crispo has studied at the Carmel Art Institute under John Cunningham and Sam Colburn. He has also studied at the Monterey Peninsula College, Hartnell College in Salinas and the University of California, Santa Cruz. Known for his abstract-like figurative work and landscapes, Crispo has produced over 60 murals throughout the United States. His most important work may be the mile-long mural at the Soledad State Prison in Soledad, California. He paints both indoors and en plein air, yet he does not see himself as a plein air painter. In addition, he has been an instructor of art at the Carmel Adult School and many other venues in and around the Monterey area. Dick Crispo has been an artist member of the Carmel Art Association since 1969 and has served on its Board of Directors on a couple of occasions. He is also a member of the Artists Equity, Art Workers United, and the Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation. His works have been exhibited in a one-man show at the Monterey Peninsula Museum of Art (1997), Oakland Museum of Art, Harrison Memorial Library in Carmel, Library of Congress, Print Club of Philadelphia, Museum of Western Art, Tokyo and the Museum of Modern Art in Mexico City.