Mary Tolbert says it was obvious from the first day
she arrived at University School that David Curl had a gift.
Although barely 14 years of age, Curl had already been a photographer
for half of his life. Anyone who saw Dave's equipment knew he
was serious. When others were thinking of putting away their
parent's old Brownie and moving up to a 35mm camera--David Curl was
already shooting sheet film with a photojournalist's Speed Graphic
camera, high-speed focal-plane shutters and the
very first Strobe Flash anyone had seen. Young Curl's skills and
equipment produced images of staggering power, great beauty,
delicate timing and compelling composition.
Those in the arts were the first to recognize
that young Curl had a master's eye for composition. No one doubted
that Dave Curl would be the best photographer in the history of
University School, but few might have imagined that he would become
one of the great image makers of the 20th Century. His many
college text books on photography and imaging include
Photo/imaging : how to communicate with camera and computer, published
in 1997.
Curl graduated in the class of 1950. He remembers being Class President as
the highlight of
his years on Woodruff Avenue. Dana Vibberts, another talented
photographer in Dave's class, also photographed University School with
Speed Graphic. Together, Curl's and Vibberts' University School images were captured
mostly between 1947
and 1950--although Curl continued to shoot special events until at
least 1952.
To no one's surprise, photography became Dave Curl's life's
work. The first to hire Curl after graduation were Herb Coon, and Edgar
Dale, who commissioned Dave to produce images and illustrations for the Handbook for
University School Parents. His friend Dana Vibberts went on to a
distinguished career as a professor in the OSU Department of
Photography.
During his 50 year career, Dave Curl earned his living as
photo-journalist, US Air Force photo intelligence officer and university professor.
He and Ardyce Czuchna-Curl make their home in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
We honor David Curl for the pictorial legacy of
University School and for his lifetime contribution to his art and his
community.
