Cherie Hiser – A Celebration of Life
Presented by Tatiana Raimondo

May 9th @ 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  

Portland Art Museum
Whitsell Auditorium
1219 SW Park Avenue, Portland, OR 97205
www.portlandartmuseum.org
503 226 2811
Cost: Free to the public

Lee Friedlander referred to Cherie Hiser as a “Photo Evangelist.”

Cornell Capa called her “One of the Most Vital Persons of Our Time.”

Cherie Hiser is the Godmother of the “Selfie.”

Cherie Hiser Revolutionized the Education of Photography with the “Center of the Eye” in Aspen, Colorado in 1968.

Cherie Hiser is a third generation Portlander who was introduced to Photography in a workshop with Minor White at the Portland Art Museum in 1960. The Portland Art Museum has her work in its permanent collection. Cherie’s first teachers also included Imogen Cunningham and Ruth Bernhard.

As mentioned above; Cherie founded and directed “The Center of the Eye” in Aspen, Colorado in 1968. It was “the first and finest year round photography workshop facility in the country.”

The teacher roster included: Ruth Bernhard, Bea Nettles, Joan Lyons, Nathan Lyons, Bruce Davidson, Garry Winogrand, Robert Heinecken, Ralph Gibson, Jerry Uelsmann, Lee Friedlander, Cornell Capa, Paul Caponigro, Henri Cartier-Bresson, etc.

Cherie served on the Ansel Adams Friends of Photography Board of Trustees for five years. Ansel Adams recommended Cherie Hiser be the first Director of Photography for the new Sun Valley Center for the Arts and Humanities in Sun Valley, Idaho in 1974.

Cherie Hiser’s Photographic work spanned six decades. Her “Odyssey of the Invisible” included her photographic work of numerous subcultures in our society. “I photograph what we don’t, or can’t, see”

Upon returning to Portland in 1978 Cherie maintained two careers. She worked as a photographer/teacher and a Mental Health Therapist.

Other photographic bodies of Cherie’s work include “Re:Visions.” “A re-photographic survey of photographs of myself, and friends.” “Sleight of Face” which are diptychs of Drag Queens. And, “Birds of Pray.” A photographic project during a disability leave of absence from her work as a Mental Health Therapist.

Cherie founded PhotoWorks Northwest in Portland in 1996. And, in 1999 Cherie was a Trustee, and Founding Member, of Photolucida. She also served as the Chairperson of the Fine Art Auction in both 2000 and 2001.

Included in Cherie’s Celebration of Life, will be written tributes for Cherie from Joan Lyons, Bea Nettles, and Paul Caponigro, with a special audio tribute from Judy Dater.

Presented by Tatiana Raimondo (pocitos@comcast.net)

Cherie Hiser
Born in Portland, Oregon – May 9th, 1939
Died in Portland, Oregon – December 26th, 2018