Jimmy Wilson is an American photographer, filmmaker, writer and gallery owner. Jimmy grew up in Minneapolis attending public school. He graduated from the University of Minnesota where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation Jimmy began a career in commercial real estate in Minneapolis.
Soon the adventurer side of Jimmy’s personality would beckon him. In his spare time Jimmy acquired his private pilot certificate and built a small cabin in the wilderness near the Minnesota Canadian border. He earned his seaplane rating and joined a seaplane club so he could fly the clubs C-172XP up to his cabin on a small lake in the wilderness. After more than a decade Jimmy left the real estate business and moved to the cabin starting his own flight service giving customers scenic air tours of Superior National Forest. Although now Jimmy had his commercial pilot certificate and a larger and more powerful C-185 amphibious floatplane.
After a year Jimmy moved back to Minneapolis and went full speed into another hobby he’d been immersed in, filmmaking. Jimmy had produced homemade films for over 10 years and as a 4th grader along with another schoolmate Scott Danielson, 
they became their elementary schools projectionists. Every Friday Jimmy & Scott would operate their schools 16mm movie projector, speakers & large screen and show their entire school Walt Disney wildlife documentaries! Back home now from being a bush pilot for a year, Jimmy decided it would be the perfect time to turn his filmmaking hobby into a profession. For the next 15 years he would write, produce, direct, act in and film a series of 9 children’s adventure films. Subjects included Polar Bears, Wolves, Lions, Moose and even the Abominable Snowman! In 2008 Jimmy Wilson Films was awarded the ‘Gold Seal’ for quality children’s entertainment by the Parents Television Council in Los Angeles. Although after 15 years and 9 films Jimmy was exhausted and decided it was time to move on.
Jimmy purchased a small inexpensive digital snapshot camera about a year before he left filmmaking. It just sat upon his kitchen counter at home. One day Jimmy decided to bring the camera on his 3 mile morning walk. He began capturing images and went back home and posted them on his social media sites. To his surprise people liked them! He continued to bring the camera on his morning walk and 
kept capturing images. People began to like Jimmy’s photographs more and more! Now everyone began asking Jimmy if his photos were for sale or would Jimmy produce a book of his photography? Jimmy decided at that precise moment to turn professional and start Jimmy Wilson Photographs! Now Jimmy attracted an experienced art expert in Minneapolis. Jimmy signed with him and he became a invaluable piece to Jimmy’s success. He became Jimmy’s mentor and agent, teaching Jimmy what he’d affectionately call, “The art inside the art.” Presentation, installation, framing, display, size and finding your thing. What sets you apart so you can be your best. Jimmy would digest every bit of information when they’d meet once a week. This man showed up at the exact moment that Jimmy needed mentoring. Jimmy Loved it, something and someone was finally settling Jimmy down, he could feel it, but after working together for a year Jimmy and his agent parted ways. At this very same time Jimmy felt he was ready, he had confidence and was continuing to produce and sell incredible work. Jimmy also kept driving by a spot where he walked each morning. There had been a ‘For Rent’ sign in the window for quite some time. Jimmy contacted the landlord thinking the space might make for a nice art gallery? Jimmy also called his Mom to get some advise. Jimmy’s Mom said, “You better do it!” Jimmy responded, “Mom, I don’t know anything about art galleries!” Jimmy’s Mom said again, “You better do this!” Jimmy signed a 5 year lease and the rest is history.
For the next 5 years Jimmy learned how to curate, install, show, exhibit, display, promote and sell his work, as well as many guest artists. Painters, Photographers, Sculptors, Mixed Media, Filmmakers, Authors, Novelists, Poets, Instrumentalists and Vocalists all showed or performed their works at the original Jimmy Wilson Gallery in Minneapolis. After 5 years though Jimmy’s lease was now up. The owners of the space had different plans and did not extend the gallery’s lease. Jimmy decided to move the Jimmy Wilson Gallery to a space everyone can go to anywhere at anytime! The new Jimmy Wilson Gallery would have no parking problems, no Covid-19 concerns, no sales people bothering you and be open every day all day! So onward to a new adventure! As Jimmy always says, “If you wake up, it’s a great day..”
Photo Credit: Debra Fisher Goldstein