CV/Bio
JAMES H. DEVRIES
Born 1940, East Grand Rapids, MI. USA
Sculpture for Jim is a second endeavor following a successful career as an entrepreneur and manager. After studying Architecture for two years Jim changed his major and graduated from the University of Michigan with an engineering degree. While working in the medical field Jim received over 100 patents in the areas of open heart surgery and cell separation equipment. In 1979 Jim began a medical device company, DLP inc., which he sold to Medtronic inc. in 1994. The company by that time had operations in three European countries and sold products to open heart centers world wide. Jim married Judith Dykema in 1961 and they have three children and nine grandchildren.
Sculpture became a passion for Jim starting in 1998 when he was introduced to sculpture while visiting a dude ranch in Montana. Early sculptures were primarily of animals but he soon made the transition to primarily figurative work. His sculptures range from portraiture to the abstract.
Since retiring in 2002 he has worked on several commissions for colleges. His sculptures are created to depict spiritual concepts by capturing the viewer's attention. Because he has a high view of the Bible, he prayerfully begins each new commission by doing an extensive study of the scriptures. His dream is to be able to someday complete a series of sculptures that portray all of the major themes in scripture.
EDUCATION
BSME Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1967
D. Litt, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, 2005 [Honorary]
Sculpture Studies: Over 1600 hours of instruction with nationally recognized sculptors at the following schools.
Scottsdale Art School, Scottsdale, Arizona
Loveland Academy, Loveland, Colorado
Lyme Academy, Old Lyme, Connecticut
ASSOCIATIONS
Member, Phi Tau Sigma Honorary Mechanical Engineering Fraternity
Associate Member, Nation Sculpture Society
Trustee, Cedarville University, Cedarville, Ohio
PUBLICATIONS
Beyond Success, Devotionals for those ministering in the marketplace, 2000, The Metrics Group, Grand Rapids, MI
The Shepherd Leader, Forty Eight Devotions on Leadership from Psalm 23, 2003, The Metrics Group, Grand Rapids, MI
The Virtuous Leader, Forty Eight Devotions on Leadership from 2 Peter and Colossians, 2004, The Metrics Group, Grand Rapids, MI
MAJOR AWARDS
Entrepreneur of the Year Award, 1992, High Technology for the State of Michigan, Ernst and Young, Inc Magazine, Merrill Lynch
Small Business Person of the Year, 1993, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
Medical Hall of Fame, 2000, Van Andel Institute and Grand Rapids Magazine
University of Michigan: Alumni Merit Award from the school of Mechanical Engineering 2012
SCULPTURE IN PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Baptist Bible College, Springfield, Missouri
Cedarville University, Cedarville, Ohio
Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Duke University Divinity School, Durham, North Carolina
Lake Ann Camp, Lake Ann, Michigan
Sava Barat, Hyderabad, India
Kettering Health Network: Eleven Facilities