Cantrell Gallery in Little Rock is preparing for the next featured exhibit, “Remote Wonder: Richland Creek Wilderness,” featuring recent works by Paul Caldwell.

The new exhibit will be on display from April 24 through July 18. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ice Sculptures, Richland Creek by Paul Caldwell

“Ever since I first read Ken Smith’s “Buffalo River Country” I have been fascinated with Richland Creek. When Ken’s book was first released, the Buffalo River still had a dam planned for Gilbert, which would have flooded a large majority of Richland’s watershed. Of course, his book helped start the movement to create the Buffalo National River, and in that process the Richland Creek Wilderness act was passed.

I have enjoyed Richland Creek and its feeder creeks for over 45 years now. I made my first trip up to the area in 1976, and got lost driving around trying to find Richland. Since then, I have made over 100 hikes throughout the area, and was fortunate enough to kayak Richland for over 10 years. Since the area has been set back as a wilderness, there are no marked trails along Richland. However, it’s pretty easy to find your way up the creek valley.

I divide Richland into two parts, above and below Richland Falls. The hiking above the falls can be much more intimidating but also very rewarding. The main tributaries of Richland Creek are Big and Long Devils creeks. The highlight of these two is Twin Falls, one of the places in Arkansas where you can find two separate creeks coming together in a twin waterfall. Richland above Richland falls is tight with areas where the creek will cascade through rocks to create very nice rapids. Richland creek below the falls becomes more of a Land of the Giant rocks. Throughout the hike from the campground to Richland Falls, you have a view of huge house sized rocks standing in the middle of the creek. I have loved to photograph this part of the creek.

In these photographs, I am displaying images taken from both the upper and lower parts of the creek. I have also tried to show all four seasons, with a preference for autumn. Ken Smith titled the chapter of this book that covers Richland Creek, “Long Lonely Richland”. The last page of the chapter showed a picture of Twin Falls on the Devils Forks. Ever since I saw that image, I have been driven to photograph Richland Creek.

Richland is not as “lonely” now 50 or so years later, but you can still get a feeling of the wilderness of the Ozarks, by hiking along it’s banks.” -Paul Caldwell

Twin Falls, Richland Wilderness by Paul Caldwell

Paul has been working in photography since he was 15 and has been a professional photographer for most of his adult life. He produces his prints on paper or canvas, and he is well-versed in selective framing options. Caldwell is based in Little Rock, but he has traveled throughout the United States, photographing much of the great state of Arkansas and the rest of the country.

There will be an after-hours reception celebrating this show on Friday, April 24, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This is an open event, and the public is invited to greet the artist and enjoy his Arkansas photography.

Feature Photo: Fall View on Richland Creek by Paul Caldwell
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