Sports photographer gets exhibit

The name "Jerry Harrington" is synonymous with sports photography to many residents of north central Ohio. For more than two decades, Harrington has plied the sidelines of football, basketball, baseball and softball games, along with the occasional track meet, at high schools throughout the region. The Plymouth native has captured dramatic moments in high school sports for many young athletes, and his photos have appeared in a variety of area publications. But Harrington's work extends far beyond sports, and for the first time, the public will have an opportunity to appreciate his work in a special exhibit at the Plymouth Area Museum. "Jerry Harrington – The Long View: 50 Years Behind the Camera" will open with a private reception on Thursday, Sept. 4, followed by the public opening on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again on Sunday, Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The exhibit will continue on Saturday, Sept. 13 and Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Photography wasn't always on Harrington's radar. He joined the US Navy in 1970 and studied aviation mechanics with the goal of launching and recovering planes from an aircraft carrier; however, he found himself stationed on Midway Island and that's when his career took a turn. A senior officer suggested Harrington consider photography school and he ended up in Pensacola, Florida, where he graduated among the top ten in his class. His tour of duty aboard the USS Wasp marked the beginning of Harrington's 50-year tour of duty behind a camera lens. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, Harrington returned to Plymouth, where he was employed at Plymouth Locomotive International, but he worked a side gig in photography, helping a local studio with weddings, little league photos and other local sporting events. In 2001, Joe Centers of the Norwalk Reflector reached out to Harrington and asked him to shoot photos of high school sports for the newspaper. Twenty-four years later, he's still working the sidelines, camera bag on his shoulder, multiple lenses at the ready, documenting memorable moments in high school athletics. An avid fisherman, Harrington has traveled all over the country to pursue his avocation and enjoys photographing nature and stunning landscapes as much as he loves hauling in a trophy catch. The exhibit comprises more than 100 of Harrington's favorite photographs and includes a variety of subjects, all of which reflect his keen eye and talent for capturing the dramatic. In addition to the Sept. 6, Sept. 7, Sept. 13, and Sept. 20 dates, private appointments to view the exhibit may be scheduled by calling the Plymouth Area Museum at 419-687-1059.