“Afghan Girl,” a widely viewed portrait that graced the cover of National Geographic magazine, was one of dozens of images worth more than $650,000 that were allegedly stolen from an internationally renowned photographer with an Exton studio.
‘Afghan Girl,’ an acclaimed photo by Steve McCurry is one of the images that was reportedly stolen by a former employee of his Exton studio.
On Tuesday, June 2, Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan announced the arrest of Bree DeStephano, 32, of York, a five-year manager of fine art print sales at Steve McCurry Studios, LLC (SMS) in Exton. DeStephano was terminated from her position as soon as the criminal allegations surfaced in November 2013, Hogan said.
“The theft of intellectual property, like photographs, is an ever-growing problem. In order to take photographs like the ‘Afghan Girl,’ Steve McCurry was exposed to extraordinary risks, tremendous costs, and spent years of his career,” said Hogan in a press release. “Then the defendant casually abused her position of trust to make some easy money, without a thought to the damage to Mr. McCurry.”
Between May 2012 and November 2013, DeStephano stole various limited edition photograph prints from SMS, the criminal complaint said. This ongoing theft involved a conspiracy to dispose of the stolen prints by conspiring with Brandon Donahue, who was the manager of Open Shutter Gallery in Durango, Co.
Bree DeStephano, 32, of York, is facing theft charges.
DeStephano had 50 prints valued at $628,000 shipped directly from the SMS Long Island City Studio in New York to her at the Exton studio, where she altered SMS inventory records and print edition numbers, the complaint said. DeStephano would then ship the prints to Donahue, who would sell them and the two would split the profits, the complaint said.
She also stole 233 of McCurry’s books and other items valued at $23,196.14, selling them through various aliases on the Internet, the complaint said.
Hogan said McCurry and his staff did an excellent job of reporting this theft and cooperating with the District Attorney’s Office so that during the 1 ½-year probe, investigators could “uncover the scope of the defendant’s thefts and recover photographs and prints.”
DeStephano was arraigned and released after posting a bond for her $250,000 bail, according to court records. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 22 in Exton district court. Donahue will be charged by Colorado authorities, who have worked extensively with the Chester County District Attorney’s Office.
Hogan said that anyone with any further information about the case should contact Chester County Detective Martin Carbonell at 610-344-6866.
Birmingham Township supervisors decided Monday not to take part in in the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway Commission and to stay out of a dispute between neighbors.
Steve and Kathleen Harkins told supervisors during the June 1 Board of Supervisors’ meeting they’ve been having a problem with one of their Brinton’s Bridge Road neighbors, Victor Leonhard.
Kathleen Harkins told supervisors that the Leonhards have put 10 blue containers near the property line and that she believes the action is a form of retaliation. She said she and her husband were among those who opposed Victor Leonhard’s application for a pole barn on his 23.6-acre property at 700 Brinton’s Bridge Road. The barn was approved five years ago.
During an almost 12-minute discussion between the Harkins, supervisors and code enforcement officer Rich Jensen, it was revealed that neither the containers nor their location represent any violation of township ordinances.
Jensen said he inspected the containers on site and there is nothing for which Leonhard can be cited.
Supervisors John Conklin and Bill Kirkpatrick each said it’s a dispute between neighbors and the township would not get involved. If the Harkins feel they have a civil case, they should explore that possibility on their own, Conklin said.
Conklin also reiterated his continued opposition to Birmingham Township’s being involved in the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway Commission. Conklin had been the township’s representative on the commission for two years, but later said the group was a waste of time and money for Birmingham. The township withdrew from the commission in February 2011.
During his comment, Conklin said the commission’s goal focuses on preserving historic and scenic properties along Route 52, but there is only about 100 feet of Route 52 in Birmingham. Even if the commission brought Creek Road into the mix, there would still be no benefit to township residents, he said, because nothing can be built or signage erected along the road.
“We applaud their values, but what they want is for us to send them some money every year and to give them volunteers. We’re not short of money, but we’re tight with money, and we are short of volunteers.”
Supervisor Scott Boorse said he shared Conklin’s sentiments. Kirkpatrick said he had nothing to say.
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
The vast majority of states and the federal government already prohibit all forms of contingent-fee lobbying, and Pennsylvania would join their number under legislation sponsored by Sen. Dominic Pileggi, R-9, of Chester, which was unanimously approved On Tuesday, June 2, by the Senate State Government Committee.
According to a press release from Pileggi, Senate Bill 388 will prohibit lobbyists from collecting contingency fees for any award of state taxpayer funds, including grants, loans, and capital projects. It’s already illegal in Pennsylvania to lobby on a contingent-fee basis for the passage of legislation or an amendment, the adoption of a regulation, or any activity that requires legislative action. However, a loophole in the current law means that it’s legal to lobby on a contingent-fee basis when a grant, loan, or other form of funding is sought from the state.
“Allowing lobbyists to advocate for grants or loans when their payment is contingent on whether or not the grant or loan is awarded creates dangerous incentives,” said Pileggi in the release. “That’s why this practice has been prohibited by the federal government and so many other states. It’s time for Pennsylvania to do the same. I’m pleased that Sen. Mike Folmer, chairman of the Senate State Government Committee and a co-sponsor of the legislation, placed Senate Bill 388 on the committee agenda today.”
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 43 states and the federal government currently prohibit contingent-fee lobbying. NCSL reports that “federal regulations governing contractors who lobby for government contracts specifically prohibit contingency fees on the grounds that they may induce lobbyists to exert ‘improper influence’ on public officials, in other words, inducing someone to act on any basis other than the merits of the matter,” the release said.
Senate Bill 388 now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
With art themes of bikes, planes, and garden parties, this summer is shaping up to be quite idyllic. Mala Galleria‘s June Exhibit gives back 10% of the sales proceeds to the Urban Bike Project which supports Wilmington communities by providing access to bicycles as a healthy, affordable transportation option. The new exhibit is entitled “Pedal” with oil paintings by David Dziemian, all with a bicycle theme! The opening for this fun show is First Friday June 5th from 6-9pm. If you are cycling to the show, stop by across the street for refreshing handmade ice cream from La Michoacana.
Also in Kennett Square, the fabulous Oxford Art Alliance will be having its annual Membership fundraiser and show at Galer Estate Vineyard and Winery for a two day art extravaganza June 13 and 14th. On Saturday the 13th, they celebrate their member’s artistic talents with “Art in the Vineyard.” Sunday from 5 to 8 pm is the big fun gala fundraiser “Garden Party in the Vineyard” which is a ticketed event. Swing by on Saturday or Sunday check out the art, and become a member!
Thursday Pop up art shows are back at the Galer Winery, featuring artist Greg Jaskot on June 18, and painter Mamie Duff on June 25th from 5-8 pm. Pop ups are great ways to highlight an artist’s work in a non-gallery setting for an evening of art and wine.
The Longwood Art Gallery, which just celebrated 30 years in Kennett Square, is exhibiting the award winning work of watercolor artist Jack Giangiulio for the month of June. Jack’s painting was chosen as the poster of this year’s Historic Yellow Springs Art Show, a highly competitive and coveted honor. The reception is Friday June 5th from 6-9 pm, with music from the Ladeens and wine, cheese and conversation with the artist.
Ron Geibel sculptures “White Ones” for Art Trust show
The Art Trust at Meridian Bank opens its new show entitled “Patterns” which celebrates the “designs composed of repeated motifs that shape the world around us.” Artists include Ron Geibel, Lorraine Glessner, Lyndsay Scypta and Amy Stevens who will all be there for the opening Friday June 5th from 5-8 pm. Gemelli is the art partner for the exhibit and they will be donating delicious samples of their handmade gelato at the opening!
“Brushed in Light” by Doris Davis-Glackin, showing at CCAA
The Chester County Art Association will be exhibiting the work of Marcia Gasser and her husband Jeff Simmons at the West Goshen Township Building, and the gorgeous watercolors of artist Doris Davis-Glakin in their Huston Gallery.
The Church Street Gallery in West Chester is currently exhibiting “Magic Light” featuring the paintings of Lithuanian born artist Serge Krupnov. Since coming to the United States in 1991, Serge has discovered a love of painting. Gallery owner, Carol Giblin writes “His natural talent gives his work a level of quality that one would not expect to see in such a short time. The works vary greatly in size and subject matter but each demonstrates a fresh and sincere thought.” This month of June marks the 1st year Anniversary for Church Street Gallery, so pop in to wish them congratulations and check out their window display which showcases the posters for their past 12 shows! Congratulations!
In Phoenixville, The Art Gallery at Franklin Commons is showing “Flight” which is a themed exhibition which takes inspiration from the soaring 19 foot sky-lit ceilings of the gallery’s exhibition space. Curator Katie Naber chooses themed exhibits to encourage “artists to think and push their work in different directions (vertically in this case!)”. Flight artists are from many mediums including photography by John Griggs, paintings by Lynette Shelley and sculptural creations by Madeline Rile Smith. I am sorry to miss the show’s opening reception Saturday June 6 from 1-4 pm.
Also in Phoenixville, the Phoenix Village Art Center will exhibit the works of textile and clay sculptural artworks by artists Nell Hazinski and Kathryn Keegan. Join them for the first Friday June 5th opening from 6-9 pm when you can also check out the work of the Upstairs/Downstairs artist Robert Libby. Accompanying every month’s artist show, the Phoenix Village Art Center hosts a “Coffee Talk” with the artists about their exhibition; it is always full, so please register ahead!
Lastly, if you are in town, check out the newly revamped Steel Works which is a music and food venue under new management that has a great selection of local contemporary artwork.
“Wawa Coffee” by Brian Richmond, Street Road Artists’ Space
In Cochranville, The Street Road Artist’s Space, located in an industrial building on the intersection of routes 41 and 926, is exhibiting an eclectic group of contemporary artists throughout the summer. They are open Fridays and Saturdays 10 am-4 pm and by appointment. This Summer they feature “Suburban Landscapes” by Brian Richmond who painstakingly recreates life size “throw-away objects” that pollute our roadways and landscapes, thus drawing attention to our consumer culture, and pushing us to also see the design and invention inherent in a simple paper coffee cup. There is certainly a “wow” factor in the artist’s ability to perfectly recreate an everyday item in an artistic medium, which is then followed by a “why would he go to all that trouble?” Therein lies the interesting point of conversation and reflection. Also showing is “Crisis Farm: Seed to Table” by artists Maryann Worrell and Doug Mott, which is described as ” an installation of a portable garden and gallery exhibition examining the plight of our natural food resources”. Check them out and start a conversation as this place is all about communicating contemporary issues and ideas through art!
Farther afield, 24 selected artists from The Delaware Valley Art League (DVAL) are participating in a plein air week of “Painting in the Park” in the historic Valley Forge park June 1st-June5th, which will culminate in an artist reception on June 19th in the Valley Forge Visitor Center from 6:30-8:30 pm, after which the paintings will be exhibited in the Center’s gallery through September 12th. Such a beautiful place is bound to inspire some wonderful works of art from this talented group! If you would like to learn more about DVAL shows or become a member, go to http://www.delawarevalleyartleague.com.
Lele Galer is an artist who has chaired numerous art shows, taught art history and studio art, public art and has chaired, written and taught the Art in Action Art Appreciation series for the UCFD schools for the past 12 years. She worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and wrote for the Associated Press in Rome. She has been dedicated to Art History and art education for most of her adult life. Lele and her husband Brad own Galer Estate Winery in Kennett Square.
