gloria cassens Collection

gloria cassens is a photographer and writer who began taking photographs around 2010 with a mobile phone she found on a train. She takes pictures of whatever captures her interest while walking around the streets of Chicago. While her work covers several genres, including architectural photographs and shots of nature, her main focus depicts human conditions, individuals she encounters in her daily wandering. All other photographs she takes are secondary.

Two women have played important roles in gloria cassens’ life – Nancy Vincent and Nancy Stone. Nancy Vincent from the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago took an interest in gloria cassens’ work and originally contacted Special Collections about the collection on her behalf. As gloria cassens says, “I owe Nancy Vincent an unfaltering debt of gratitude for her friendship, kindness and appreciation for me and my photographs.” In 2013, gloria cassens met Chicago Tribune photographer Nancy Stone. A friendship grew and Stone produced a short film, gloria cassens: Street photographer, available on You Tube. In 2015 gloria cassens published another film on You Tube, gloria cassens: Bits and Pieces, where she gave the following artist’s statement about her work:

The streets of Chicago are unforgiving. The majestic buildings that dot Chicago’s shore and grace its city, unforgettable. The weary worn and wary individuals that line, litter and lace Chicago’s streets are my interest. Not with compassion at the forefront but for their photographic beauty, their resolve, resilience and tenacity. Along with the knowing that it takes a lot to hold onto nothing and not everyone has someone they can cry to. I have been snapping photos for the past five years. Monday through Friday I am a supper guest at Catholic Charities where I receive top of the line meals, served by very extraordinary, gracious and caring volunteers. One of these volunteers is the founder of Chicago Help Initiative, Jacqueline Hayes. She does so much more than providing meals. She makes sure each and every supper guest know they matter. I am grateful for all that has been contributed to the easing of bits and pieces of my life’s journey. Snapping photos has been my saving grace. My name is gloria cassens.

gloria cassens’ work has been exhibited at the Catholic Charities’ After Supper Visions and is in several private collections.