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Richard K. Shirk Photographs
MS 418
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Table of contents
Title: Richard K. Shirk photographs
Dates: 1970-1985
Collection number: MS 418
Creator:
Shirk, Richard K.
Collection Size:
1 document box
Repository:
University of California, Santa Cruz. University Library.
Special Collections and Archives
Santa Cruz, California 95064
Abstract: 35 color photographs and CD-ROM disk, 1970-1983; plus a 3 page resume summarizing Richard Shirk's education and experience.
Physical location: Stored in Special Collections & Archives: Advance notice is required for access to the papers.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Collection open for research.
Property rights reside with the University of California. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and
their heirs. For permission to publish or to reproduce the material, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.
Richard K. Shirk photographs. MS 418. Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of
California, Santa Cruz.
Born July 24, 1924 in Syracuse, New York, Richard K. Shirk started his photographic career in 1939 at the
Grosse Pointe News in Michigan. He joined the U.S. Air Force during WWII and was attached to the Night Photo Reconnaissance Squadron where he
worked with Dr. Harold Edgerton on the development of electronic flash for night photography. While in the service he learned
aerial photography and was crew chief in Europe, 1944-1945.
After the war he attended Kenyon College in Ohio and earned a B.A. in Philosophy. He served an apprenticeship in New York
under Charles Kerlee in commercial photography, then started his own studio in the Detroit, Michigan area in 1950 specializing
in architectural photography. His clients included Eero Saarinen, Minuro Yamasaki,
Architectural Record,
Architectural Forum, and
Better Homes and Gardens. He expanded his studio, shifted back to commercial photography and was hired by Dow Chemical Co., 3M Corp, Bendix Corp.
and others. In the late 1970's he expanded his knowledge of color print making and learned experimental underwater photography.
He won awards from the Detroit Art Directors Club and the Focus '77 Show.
He was guest lecturer at Western Michigan University in 1972, and taught classes at Wayne State University during 1978-1980.
His exhibitions include:
- "Trees, Patterns and People" -- Scarab Club, Detroit - 1973
- "Singular Color Images" Scarab Club, Detroit and Midland Gallery, Midland - 1977
- Detroit Artists Guild - 1977
- Focus '77 Show, Battle Creek - 1977
- Halsted Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan - 1979
- Detroit Artists Market - 1980
Collections:
- Toledo Art Museum
- Detroit Institute of Art
- K-Mart Corp.
- Alden Dow, and other private collectors
Shirk moved to Monterey County, California in 1984 and died in 1985.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection contains 35 - 8 x 10 inch color photographs by Richard K. Shirk from the Halsted Gallery exhibition in Detroit
of May 5 - June 2, 1979. The photographs are contained in a 3 ring binder, with a CD-ROM disk of over 200 of Shirk's favorite
images. There is also a 3 page resume highlighting the education and experience of Richard Shirk's life.
Photographs are in original binder order.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Shirk, Richard K.
Photography
MS 118 Patricia and Richard Shirk Collection of Photographs.