Carrollton Native Calderhead to Host Photo Exhibit Honoring Debra Parsons

Carrollton native and fine art photographer Christopher Calderhead is returning home this October to host The Remembrance Show, a photography exhibit and fundraiser in honor of Debra Parsons, who was tragically murdered in 1999. The event, scheduled for Oct. 10 from 6-11 p.m. at Carroll Community Park, 1061 Salineville Road, Carrollton, will celebrate Parsons’ memory while raising funds for Harbor House, a New Philadelphia-based organization that supports survivors of domestic violence.

For Calderhead, the project is deeply personal. He grew up alongside Parsons’ children, building a friendship that shaped his life. “My friendship with the Parsons children was and is still extremely meaningful for me,” Calderhead said. “I was one odd duck growing up, and I didn’t fit the popular mold. But that didn’t matter to the Parsons — especially Wendy and Teri. They always had my back, embraced my quirkiness and never let me feel alone.”

That loyalty left a lasting mark. “You don’t judge a book by its cover, and you take care of the things that matter most, even if it’s not the most popular choice,” Calderhead said. “I’ve tried to live my life by that ideal. Because of it, I’ve made great friendships and had many adventures.”

Parsons left fond memories. Calderhead recalls her bringing her daughters to his home during high school. “Our attic was packed with old clothes,” he said. “We dug around for hours. I remember Debra laughing at the haul of clothes and listening to them ramble on about what they found. She embraced and encouraged their excitement. That has stuck with me.”

The grief of Parsons’ death in 1999 remains vivid. “I remember feeling absolutely useless,” Calderhead said. “It was a heavy feeling like none I had ever experienced. I wanted to do something but didn’t know what. At 17, I did what I could, but it wasn’t much.”

More than two decades later, he sees The Remembrance Show as a way to honor Parsons’ life while raising awareness. The event will feature works from photographers across the nation and a silent auction offering items such as Airbnb stays, motorcycle classes, massages and movie tickets. Representatives from Harbor House will attend to share resources and speak about their mission.

Calderhead’s own photography will also be featured. His pieces, created over many years and in many places, reflect the way he sees the world. He works under the name Captured Eye Photography, a title he chose in high school in 1998. “Not everyone sees things the same way I see them,” he said. “With my camera and a roll of film, I’ve managed to make that happen. That’s right — I still only shoot film. The pieces I’m showing are a little of everything, and most have a story to go with them. They are the documentary of my life journey.”

Above all, Calderhead sees the show as a tribute built on gratitude and remembrance. “To reconnect with the children today and do this in honor of their mother, and to possibly help others in need, while showing the work I love for people I love — I can’t fully express how this feels,” he said. “I’m extremely grateful to the Parsons family for allowing me to host this event and honor their mother with the dignity she deserves as a woman and as an artist, all while still trying to make a difference for someone else.”