John Calabro (1914–1994) was an American artist and sculptor who has created coins, medals, plaques, busts, statutes and heroic-size works of famous events and notable figures from the world of politics, sports and entertainment.
[1] Calabro moved from Demarest, New Jersey to nearby Northvale in 1964 to a custom-designed home with a studio equipped with skylights, which enabled natural light to fill the space and allow the artist to see fine details and shadows over the course of the day.
Works Calabro created depicting Lincoln, created using a favorite photo taken during the 1860 presidential race, include a bust put on display at the Library of Presidential Papers (now known as the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress) as well as a 1948 larger-than-life statue of Lincoln on display in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
[2] Among more recent presidents, Calabro created medals crafted of bronze and silver depicting Richard Nixon's resignation and the succeeding Inauguration of Gerald Ford.
[4] Medals of Louis Armstrong and William C. Handy that he created on behalf of the American Negro Commemorative Society were put on display at Texas Southern University in February 1971.