Jim Kirkhoff

I grew up being the only one in his family (other than my father) who could take a photograph without featuring a finger, cutting off heads or excessively framing the sky.  Being constantly entrusted with the camera gave me the opportunity to experiment...and lead to a lifelong interest in photography.

In 1992, I graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Engineering.  Throughout those years, trying to add an artistic balance to a math and science based education.  Forr 16 years, I worked in positions related to engineering, sales and project management.  These positions sent me to international locations in Europe, Asia and South America.

As a sideline in these jobs, my interest in film, photography and graphic design made me the de facto marketer for each of my employers y and I was given a long leash producing websites, promotional literature and films.  Not to mention the many travel opportunities sent me into towns and landscapes that I was eager to capture to tell the story of my journeys.  Unpacking my photos as well as my adjectives.

In April of 2009, I began to work with the Batavia Artists Association to establish the Community Outreach program for Water Street Studios, which helps children from low-income households to take subsidized art classes at Water Street Studios.  In July of that same year, I was invited to join the Board as the Director of Development.  My responsibilities entail finding and securing funding opportunities in the form of donations or grants from sources such as citizens, patrons, community groups, foundations and companies.

While this responsibility puts a damper on my creative pursuits, I still try to work in a number of mediums: film, photography, music and steel sculpture.  I remain a dedicated musician who writes, records, and produces my own work as well as with other performers and musicians.  I never put down a camera and am currently filming and producing a documentary about the founding of Water Street Studios as well as acting in the first feature length Star Wars fan film.