Born in Cleveland in 1909, Richard Crist began his formal art education at the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh and followed with further training at the Art Institute of Chicago. He returned to Pittsburgh in the 1930's and joined the WPA Art Project, painting easel work and one large school mural. He later traveled to Mexico where he met Diego Rivera and fell under the influence of David Siqueiros, with whom he had lessons.

On his return to Pittsburgh, Crist won a number of awards at the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh competitions. Crist moved to New Hope, Pennsylvania around 1940, both for the pursuit of his art career and the active theatrical setting of interest to his wife. Crist's early work in Ne...