John W. Hiller (1935-2020) was a long-time Del Ray Artisans member, cinematographer, producer, director, Oscar and Emmy winner. In 2021 the John W. Hiller Photography and Film Scholarship was created in his honor to be awarded to high school students for photography and film excellence. This $2,000 scholarship is awarded to an Alexandria City High School graduating senior who is attending college to continue their art education. Scholarship recipients are selected by a committee appointed by The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria and based on the criteria set by Del Ray Artisans. The first awardee was Thomas Bosland in 2022. Subsequent awardees were Katherine Radt (2023) and Gryphon Magnus (2024).
Alyssa Pease, John’s wife, has generously donated a selection of his work to support the scholarship. If you purchase one of the pieces online, you will be contacted to pick it up at the gallery (free) or to make shipping arrangements (cost depends on the artwork). You may also choose to make a donation directly to the scholarship.
John called Alexandria home for 40 years. He was an active member of Del Ray Artisans and volunteered his expertise for years as the Historian and Director of Archives, and documented and photographed exhibitions for online platforms. John was born in Altadena, California in 1935 and passed away in 2020 at the age of 84.
He was modest and quiet about his career, but this local cinematographer and photographer was the recipient of an Oscar for the 1984 documentary short “The Stone Carvers” about the Gothic architectural adornments on the Washington National Cathedral. He also received 20 Emmys for various other projects. For 31 years he worked in the Smithsonian’s Motion Picture Unit as a producer, director, photography director, cinematographer, videographer, editor, and still photographer. John also previously worked in Hollywood, for the American Red Cross, USIA, and the U.S. Navy. His work resulted in over 131 films and videos used in exhibits and broadcast media; he received over 135 awards for those films. Here are two of John’s films to enjoy:
Del Ray Artisans showcased decades of photography by John in a special two-week exhibit, the John W. Hiller Retrospective Photography Exhibit, which ran July 1-17, 2021. The work ranged from solitary landscapes of the American West to the tranquility of the gardens of Japan, as well as contemporary experiential imagery.
The John W. Hiller Photography and Film Scholarship is funded through donations earmarked for the scholarship and Del Ray Artisans. The ultimate goal is to fund the scholarship entirely by donations and purchases of his artwork. Tax-deductible contributions to Del Ray Artisans’ John W. Hiller Photography and Film Scholarship are welcome, encouraged, and appreciated.
To make a donation by mail, complete the Donation Form (PDF) and mail it to the gallery:
Attn: Treasurer / JWH Scholarship
Del Ray Artisans
2704 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301-1124