James Mueller: "LaGarita Club," Dec 1984, silver gelatin print

Family members recall that the first signs of Jim Mueller’s attraction to photography appeared during high school and matured as he made his way through Missouri Valley College, where he studied English Literature. “I remember receiving four small black and white photos in a letter mailed from California during that time,” recollects sister Jo Mueller.

His lifelong passion for photography carried Mueller down a dual track. He owned and operated a commercial/industrial photographic business that served businesses in the four state area for 30 years, while developing a body of work that expressed his personal creative interests. His skills and knowledge were exceptional; and he was invited to assist with the Ansel Adams Workshop, first as a darkroom technician, later as a group leader.

To coincide with the 30th Anniversary of PhotoSpiva, Mueller is being honored with an exhibition in Spiva's Regional Focus Gallery. The 55 photographs on loan from the collections of family members include silver gelatin and cibachrome prints produced between 1971 and 1985.

“Jim’s work is quite varied,” noted Suzanne Wilson, his wife and PhotoSpiva co-founder. “He could discover great beauty in anything. A scene in a Joplin alley held as much interest for him as a western landscape.”

For additional information, please call 417.623.0183.

Spiva Center for the Arts is located at 3rd and Wall in downtown Joplin. Spiva galleries and gift shop are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is by voluntary contribution.

George A. Spiva Center for the Arts
222 W. 3rd Street
Joplin, Mo 64801
Tel: 417-623-0183
Fax: 417-623-3805
www.spivaarts.org