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| Click thumbnail to view full image. Thumbnail may be cropped.
Work To Ride (a work in progress) series
1. Kareem Watching Lez Teach; Work To Ride (winter
2006), 2007, c-print, 15" x 15"
2. John With Foot Mallet; Work To Ride (winter 2006),
2007, c-print, 15" x 15"
3. Kareem in His School Shirt; Work To Ride (winter
2006), 2007, c-print, 15" x 15"
4. Sam and Lez Keeping Warm; Work To Ride (winter
2006), 2007, c-print, 15" x 15"
5. Kate Watching Drea Procrastinate; Work To Ride
(winter 2006), 2007, c-print, 15" x 15"
6. Brandon’s Stirrups; Work To Ride (winter 2006), 2007,
c-print, 15" x 15"
7. Drea and Gerb, Up to Something; Work To Ride (winter
2006), 2007, c-print, 15" x 15"
8. Boys in the Bed of the Pickup; Work To Ride (winter
2006), 2007, c-print, 15" x 15"
9. Kareem in Fatigues With Jordan; Work To Ride (winter
2006), 2007, c-print, 15" x 15"
10. Erica Finds a Worm; Work To Ride (spring 2007),
2007, c-print, 15" x 15"
11. Lunch in the Bed of the Pickup; Work To Ride (spring
2007), 2007, c-print, 15" x 15"
12. Measuring Daymar; Work To Ride (spring 2007),
2007, c-print, 15" x 15"
13. KenShaun Holding Eyore; Work To Ride (spring
2007), 2007, c-print, 15" x 15"
14. Caesar Watching Bike Polo; Work To Ride (spring
2007), 2007, c-print, 15" x 15"
15. Polo Mallet and Wraps; Work To Ride (spring 2007),
2007, c-print, 15" x 15"
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Artist Statement
Work To Ride is a program for at risk and urban youth located in the Belmont Plateau section of Philadelphia's Fairmont Park. Founded in 1994 by Lezlie Hiner, WTR started as a refuge for the youth of West Philly who were willing to put in a little work to get off the streets. In exchange for doing barn chores, they were allowed to pursue an equestrian sport of their choosing. Following Lez's passion, many of them chose Polo; and in 1997, they had the first African American Polo Team in America. Ever. Over the years the program has evolved from a mere handful to over twenty and has seen the addition of Kate Simmer, Program Director who facilitates increased community support and involvement. The kids still have to work with the horses and now undergo tutoring to keep their grades up in order to participate in anything from Horse Shows to Steeple Chases. Today, against all odds, these kids continue to prove themselves both on the field and off.
The images contained within Work To Ride (a work in progress) seek to explore the very heart and soul of this program. After volunteering with WTR for eight months, I began to photograph informally around the barn, with what the kids affectionately coined my "dollar camera". Quiet and unassuming, the Holga is less intrusive than other, more sophisticated alternatives, allowing for a more immersive approach to the project. This plastic camera with all of its idiosyncrasies uniquely conveys the underlying socio political implications of class and race inherent within this program. Creating images from which a deeply touching narrative of impoverished youth and unparalleled opportunity arises. |
Artist Bio
Kara LaFleur's family moved throughout New England before settling into the suburbs of Philadelphia in 1995. This nomadic lifestyle fostered an intrinsic affinity for extended community and networking from a young age. In 2005, Kara received her BFA in Photography from the University of the Arts with thesis work evolving around the 8x10 camera and non-silver processes. After graduation, her involvement with the Center for Emerging Visual Artists allowed her to gain experience in the Non-Profit and Arts and Culture Sectors while working primarily in administrative and development roles. In the summer of 2006, Kara began volunteering with the Work to Ride program; a non-profit prevention program providing disadvantaged youth with activities surrounding horsemanship, equine sports and education. Further developing her relationship with the program and it's participants, Kara recently held a position as the Director of Summer Programming. Currently she is working on a long term photographic project with WTR, while pursuing a career at Night Kitchen Interactive, an award-winning design firm in Philadelphia.
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Education
2005
University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
BFA, Photography; Minor in Book Arts
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Professional Experience
2007 - present
Marketing Coordinator, Night Kitchen Interactive, Philadelphia, PA
2007
Program Director, Work to Ride Summer Program, Chamounix Equestrian Center, Philadelphia, PA
2006 - present
Volunteer, Work to Ride Summer Program, Chamounix Equestrian Center, Philadelphia, PA
2005 - present
Volunteer, The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA
2005 - 2007
Center for Emerging Visual Artists, Philadelphia, PA
Advanced Non Silver Teaching Assistant, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Volunteer, Photo Review, Philadelphia, PA |
Affiliations
2007 - present
Project Basho, member
2005 - present
Society for Photography Education, member
2005 - 2007
CFEVA Regional Community Arts Program Slide Registry, member
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Publications
2005
A Marmac Guide to Las Vegas, Cover Illustration, Pelican Publishing Co, 2005
2004
The College Cookbook, The Borowsky Center for Publication Arts, UArts, 2004 |
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| Selected Exhibitions
Solo
2009
Work To Ride (a work in progress), University City Arts League, Philadelphia PA
2008
Work To Ride (a work in progress), Reverie Merchants of Vintage Goods, Philadelphia PA
Group
2007
Friends of Project Basho, Project Basho, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Open Studio Tours, Project Basho, Philadelphia, PA
POST Preview Exhibtion, Freeman’s Auction House, Philadelphia, PA
POST From the Studio IV, The Center for Emerging Visual Artists, Philadelphia, PA
Curator: Shelly Spector
Close to Home > 10, Solmssen Court, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Curator: Alida Fish
2005
Seriatim: Senior Thesis Show, Crane Arts Building, Philadelphia, PA
29th Annual Juried Show, Allentown Art Museum, Allentown, PA
2004
U-Pull It, Hamilton Gallery, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2003
The Topographical Landscape of Love, Sol Mednick Gallery and Gallery 1401, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
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Images copyright © Kara LaFleur
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