Simons Scheduled for Jerry Howell Lecture Series
at Randolph Community College

Friday, September 26

ASHEBORO, N.C.—Nationally recognized photographer Chip Simons will present his work at the Randolph Community College Photography Imaging Center on Friday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Simons will speak as part of the ongoing Jerry Howell Lecture Series made possible by the Photography Challenge Fund of the Randolph Community College Foundation.

Simons was born in Ohio in 1958 and was introduced to photography in high school in Gettysburg, Pa. Following studies in art and photography at Kutztown University and at the University of New Mexico, Simons moved to New York City and received his first commercial assignments. His first series of work, “I Am A Dog,” was initially published in Andy Warhol's Interview magazine. Subsequent publications showing Simons' photos included the New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, Time, Newsweek, Fortune, and Forbes, among others.

Simons’ work was commissioned by Sony Music and other labels for numerous album covers. In the mid 1980s, Simons had emerged as an important photographer with a unique style of seeing coupled with vivid color and innovative lighting techniques. His wide-angle lens photos where used by many companies to bring a quirky, humorous feel to their advertising. Clients as diverse as Shimano Bicycles, the U.S. Postal Service, and Seagrams have used Simons' work in their campaigns. He has appeared as a guest of Jay Leno on The Tonight Show.

An artist with a prolific repertory of ideas, Simons' images never cease to push his equipment and his vision to the edge. He is a popular speaker with photo groups across the U.S. and internationally. He is sponsored by several photo equipment manufacturers including Hasselblad, Imacon, Mamiya and Nikon. He has been recognized by Nikon on both their “Legends” and “Masters” series. He currently lives and works near Albuquerque, N.M. His client list includes Apple, Coca-Cola, Hertz, Microsoft, MTV, American Express, Domino’s Pizza, General Mills, Etonic, Levis, Mastercard, Nabisco, Nikelodeon, Polycom, Seagrams, and Weight Watchers.

The RCC Photography Imaging Center is located on the Asheboro Campus at 629 Industrial Park Avenue. Take the McDowell Road exit off of Highway 220 Bypass.