The Art of Seeing | Jim Flory

April 3 - April 20

image of a contact sheet with magnifying glass

Artist Statement

This is a retrospective of Jim Flory’s photographic images. They span a lifetime of his love for photography and his passion for teaching it. Some of the images are Jim’s original prints—often used for class examples—and many have been printed and matted in his honor by his colleagues and former students.

 

Jim left an indelible impression on so many. He lived a life filled with joy, compassion and a deep commitment to those he loved. He peacefully passed into the next life on January 31, 2023. The following is in his words:

 

I grew up curious and interested in photography. My first SLR camera came from my brother Rick, who bought a Nikon Nikkormat SLR film camera in Okinawa while he was stationed there in the Marines. It changed my life forever. While a student at Mt. Angel College, I became the editor of the school paper and photographer for the school annual. After college I worked in a camera store in Salem, Oregon and eventually became the store manager for almost 10 years. I was like a little kid in a candy store! I became the company photographer for my National Guard Unit while serving my obligation. At the same time, I was teaching adult photography night classes at both Chemeketa Community College and Linn-Benton College on alternating evenings. Oh, and I was running a small portrait and wedding business during the day in Mt. Angel, Oregon…it was great to be young and a bit crazy.

 

I applied for a teaching position at Pacific University teaching photography…I ended up teaching there for 35 years developing a photography minor in the Art Department. I guess you could say that photography was a vocation that I was drawn to and stuck with.

 

I have taught hundreds of students and stay in touch with many of them to this day. Many have gone on to find careers in photography, which is tremendously satisfying to me. My wonderful wife Jean has always been my toughest critic and by my side on almost all of my photography field trips throughout the Pacific Northwest, and helped me organize several photography tours to Europe. I have made and shot pinhole, 35mm, and small to 4x5 large format cameras. It represents the “Art of Seeing” which I have stressed in all of my classes.

 

I have always told my students, “You have to feel something to make it mean something.” I have been truly blessed to have been able to “pray through my lenses.”

 

Reception

 

Friday, April 14, from 5:00 - 6:30: Refreshments will be provided.

 

Visiting Hours

 

The Cawein Gallery is typically open from 9:30am - 5:00pm on weekdays, or by appointment. Contact brum1878@pacificu.edu to schedule an appointment. The gallery follows the academic calendar regarding all closures and holidays.