Stephen Kirk Richards was born on November 22, 1952.

Study:
Atelier Lack Minneapolis, MN, 1976-80; West Texas State University, MA, 1977; West Texas State University, BFA, 1975

Works in Public Collections: “The Sculptor” Amarillo Museum of Art; “The Way of Suffering,” St. Anthony’s Hospice, Amarillo, TX; “Behold the Lamb,” First Baptist Church, Amarillo, Texas; Portrait of Sister Olivia Prendergast, St. Anthony’s Hospice, Amarillo Texas; "Chocolate and Carnations," First Baptist Church, Amarillo, Texas.

Commissions include Timothy Jenkins, Metropolitan Opera Tenor; Mary Jane Johnson, Soprano, International Opera Performer; James Setapen, Director/Conductor, Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, Amarillo, TX; Sister Olivia Prendergast, St. Anthony's Hospice, Amarillo, TX.; Dr. James Rauscher, Chairman of the Department of Music, Amarillo College; Dr. and Mrs. Hagos Tekeste.

Exhibitions: Triad- Three American Painters David Dike Gallery, Dallas, Texas, 2007; Triad- Three American Painters Newington Cropsey Foundation, Hastings on Hudson NY, 2006; Kirk Richards: Classical Realist One Man Exhibition, Amarillo Museum of Art, Amarillo, TX 2004; For Glory and For Beauty two man exhibition, Biblical Arts Center, Dallas, TX, 2002; The American Society of Classical Realism Guild of Artists Exhibition, Newington Cropsey Foundation, Hastings on Hudson, NY, 2001; Florals in the Boston Tradition Tree’s Place, Cape Cod MA, 2000 Night Walker 98, Fort Collins, CO. 1998; Invited Guest Artist, Spring Exhibition ,Merrill Art Gallery, Denver, CO. 1998; Private Showing to 19th Century Collectors Sotheby’s , New York NY 1997; East Coast Concepts- West Coast Ideals Traveling Group Exhibition, Carnegie Art Museum, Oxnard CA; Academy of Art College, San Francisco, CA.; Springville Museum of Art, Springville, Utah, 1997; Beauty: A Rebirth of Relevance, four man exhibition, Newington Cropsey Foundation, Hastings on Hudson, NY, 1996 Oil Painters of America, Fourth National Juried Exhibition, Greenhouse Gallery of Art, San Antonio, TX, 1995; 1995 Amarillo Competition, Amarillo Museum of Art, 1995; Deposit Guaranty Salon International Exhibition, Jackson, MS, 1994; Poudre Valley Art League 32nd National Exhibition, Fort Collins, CO, 1993; Solo Exhibitions, Amarillo, TX, 1991-90-82-80; Amarillo Rotary Club Annual Exhibition and Sale, Amarillo, TX, 1990-88-86-84; Freedom’s Light, Carlson Center, Minnetonka, MN, 1989; 64th Annual National April Salon, Springville, UT, 1988; The Masters Heritage, Alexandria, VA, 1987; Grand National Exhibition, American Artists Professional League, New York , NY, 1987-81-79; 60th Annual National April Salon, Springville, UT, 1984; The Boston Painters: America’s Premiere Realists, Andrew Art Center, Addison, TX, 1985; The Painters of Light, Bayne Yancy Galleries, Dallas, TX, 1983; Classical Realism, - The Other Twentieth Century, Springville Museum of Art, Springville, UT, Amarillo Art Center, Amarillo, TX, Maryhill Museum of Art, Goldendale, WA, 1982-83; Texas Open Competition Wayland Baptist College, 1981.

Teaching Positions: Edina Art Center, Edina, MN ,1978-79; Atelier Lack, 1978-80; Minnetonka Art Center, Minnetonka, MN 1979-80 ; Amarillo Art Center, Amarillo TX , 1981-82; West Texas State University, Canyon, TX , 1981-82; Atelier Richards, Inc. Amarillo, TX , 1982-88; Amarillo College, Amarillo, TX, 2002

Awards: Finalist, 2004 International Portrait Competition, Boston, MA; Juror’s Award and People’s Choice Award, Night Walker 98, Fort Collins, CO; Directors Choice, Deposit Guaranty Salon International, Jackson, MS, 1994; Jurors Choice Award, 64th National Salon, Springville Museum of Art, Springville, UT, 1988; Lee M. Loeb Award for Excellence American Artist Professional League 1987; Best of Show, Texas Open Competition, Wayland Baptist College, Plainview, TX, 1981

Bibliography: “Classically Speaking” article in Southwest Art Magazine, September 2005; “Classical Realism: A Living Tradition” article in the September 2004 issue of American Artist Magazine (co-author with Stephen Gjertson); American Artist Magazine, June 2003; “Response to David Hockney’s ‘Secret Knowledge’ ” article in the Classical Realism Journal, 2002; “Kirk Richards-Truth and Beauty” by Jennifer Kornegay, ASOPA Portrait Signature Winter 2001; “From the Academy to the Pueblo” article in the Classical Realism Journal, 1996; Contributing Author and Cover Illustration, Classical Realism Journal, 1994; “In Pursuit of Mastery,” by Patricia Saleh, International Fine Art Collector, June/July, 1991; “Hospice Honor,” Amarillo Daily News, October, 1990; “Artist’s Work Graces Church,” by Kay Mohr Paine, Amarillo Globe News, December 21, 1989; “An Interview with Kirk Richards,” by Kurt Anderson, Classical Realism Quarterly, Winter, 1989; “Local Artist Touts Apprentice Format,” by Mona Nichols, Amarillo College Newspaper, 1987; “Kirk Richards, Amarillo Painter Wins Awards,” by Kay Mohr Paine, Amarillo Globe News, December, 1987; Atelier Art School Learns from Past,” by Kay Mohr, Amarillo Globe News, May, 1983; “Nineteenth Century Painting Alive and Well in Amarillo,” Accent West Magazine, July, 1987

Publications: “Kirk Richards; Classical Realist” Exhibition Catalog, 2004; “The Art Student’s Dilemma,” Realism in Revolution, Taylor Publishing, Dallas, TX, 1985; The Master’s Heritage, Exhibition Catalog, 1986; Classical Realism -- The Other Twentieth Century, Exhibition Cat., 1982; The American Society of Classical Realism -- Salon 1992, Exhibit. Catalog; Beauty: A Rebirth Of Relevance Exhibit. Catalog 1996; East Coast Concepts-West Coast Ideals Exhibit. Catalog 1997. The Best of Flower Painting North Light Publishing, 1996; The Best of Portrait Painting, North Light Publishing, 1997; ASCR Guild of Artists Exhibition Catalog 2001; “For Glory and For Beauty,” Minneapolis, MN, 2002