Newburgh - Local businessman and lifelong Newburgher Richard F. "Dickie P" Peterson can often be seen in front of his Broadway shop working on colorful canvases. At City Hall, 83 Broadway, through February, Black History Month, the public can enjoy an exhibit of the unique works of primitive art he has created. His subjects range from familiar Newburgh residents to social themes such as civil rights and people in prison, to whimsical family moments.
Dickie states he was trained in his technique by his uncle, Frederick Taylor, a SUNY Farmingdale, NY Art School graduate who "stressed color and form," and during his three years as a drafting and architectural drawing student at Newburgh Free Academy, by Richard McKnight. Mr. McKnight, Dickie said, "was a fine man and a great teacher." He added, "He stressed accuracy and detail."
From Newburgh Free Academy, the artist went on to attend St. Augustine’s College, in Raleigh, N.C., law school at North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, N.Y., and the Quality Institute in Detroit, MI.
Since the age of 9, he participated in various art presentations and contests. His work has been displayed at the Saratoga Summer Arts Festival, Newburgh Free Library, and the Ann Street Gallery.
A reception for the artist will be held on Friday, Feb. 26 from 2-4 p.m. at City Hall. For more information, please call (845) 401-7477.
