Conversations 2022: April 8-10 – Center for Railroad Photography & Art

Photographs

From left: Joe McMillan, Dennis Livesey, and Bob Alkire inspect the Center's newest book, Continuity and Change: The Lure of North American Railroads during Friday's reception. Erin Rose photo. Learn about the book here: railphoto-art.org/continuity-change/

Attendees at Friday's reception at Glen Rowan House. ER photo.

Presenter Lee Alban and Railfan & Railroad editor Steve Barry chat during the Friday reception. EL photo.

Attendees at Friday night's reception at Glen Rowan House at Lake Forest College. Erin Rose photo.

Scott Lothes welcomes attendees to Friday's dinner at the first in-person Conversations since 2019. ER photo.

Scott Lothes greets the crowd at Friday night's dinner at Lake Forest College in IL. Elrond Lawrence photo.

Justin Franz and dad Tim Franz at Friday's reception. EL photo.

Hats were on display during the Conversations weekend, seen here during the Friday night dinner and entertainment. ER photo.

Erik Shicotte entertains the crowd with his baritone voice and railroad-themed music Friday evening. EL photo.

Another view of Erik Shicotte performing Friday evening with his Missouri Pacific shirt. EL photo.

Erik Shicotte's guitarist plays during his Friday night performance. ER photo.

Justin Franz and Scott Lothes during Friday's dinner. Erin Rose photo.

A rare sight: the sun came out on a chilly Saturday morning! EL photo.

Executive Director Scott Lothes welcomes the crowd to the first day of presentations on Saturday, April 9. ER photo.

Scott Lothes announces that the Henry Posner III collection has come to the Center. EL photo.

Kevin Keefe, a CRP&A board member and former editor of Trains Magazine, speaks about Gene Huddleston's landmark photography of the Chesapeake & Ohio from 1947-1959. Kevin filled in for original presenter Karen Parker, working with the pictures and text that she prepared. ER photo.

Kevin P. Keefe delivers Karen Parker's presentation about Gene Huddleston's photography of the C&O Railroad. EL photo.

Conversations drew a wide variety of attendees -- 150 from 28 states -- some of whom are seen here during Saturday's presentations. EL photo.

Board member Betsy Fahlman discusses railroad artwork during Saturday's presentations. ER photo.

Artist Lee Alban presented "My Way or the Railway", showing his amazing railroad artwork and discussing his style on Saturday at Conversations 2022. EL photo.

Lee Alban presents his stunning artwork during his Saturday presentation, "It's My Way or the Railway." ER photo.

Scott Lothes pays tribute to Jack Barriger, Jim Wrinn, and Paul Nash. EL photo.

Bon French and the Conversations audience give Scott Lothes a standing ovation on Saturday for his leadership of the Center. EL photo.

From left: Justin Franz, Otto Vondrak and Steve Barry pose for a portrait, their first time together as Railfan & Railroad magazine staff since the pandemic. EL photo.

Dee Matyas and Richard Jordan III pose for a quick picture on Saturday. Both have photos in the Center's new book Continuity and Change: The Lure of North American Railroads. Forty-five advance copies of the book, which releases Sept. 1, were sold to attendees. EL photo.

Charlie Voyda, another talented and equally brilliant docent, presents his rail photography and discusses his influences on Saturday at the Center's Conversations 2022. EL photo.

Attendees wore so many interesting hats that a group photo had to be made! Photo by Ken Rehor with Elrond Lawrence's camera.

Bon French, Chair of the Center's board of directors, displays his Form 19 pin during an update to the crowd about the Center. Learn more about supporting the Center at railphoto-art.org/support/estate-gifts/ (EL photo)

One of our brilliant and passionate docents, August VanCleave, speaks about his rail artwork and photography at Conversations 2022. EL photo.

Mark Llanuza entertains the crowd with his stand-up humor during his presentation, "Before & After: Abandoned Railroads of the Midwest." EL photo.

Dan Cupper snaps a photo of Mark Llanuza's "Before and After" presentation. EL photo.

Travis Dewitz snaps a photo during a Saturday presentation (with Elrond Lawrence also photographing the scene in the distance). Erin Rose photo.

Erik Shicotte smiles during the interview with Justin Franz about Shicotte's music and photography. EL photo.

Dan Cupper and Laura Lawrence laugh during Erik Shicotte's interview. EL photo.

Country & western singer Erik Shicotte is interviewed by the Center's Justin Franz about his music and rail photography. Elrond Lawrence photo.

Erik Schicotte (2nd from left) and presenter Mark Llanuza pose with attendees at Conversations 2022 in Lake Forest, Il, before the Saturday evening dinner. EL photo.

Justin Franz interviews Erik Shicotte Saturday afternoon. The live interview was a substitution for presenter Sam Phillips who could not attend, and was a big hit with the crowd. Erin Rose photo.

Docents Charlie Voyda and August Van Cleave. ER photo.

Archivist Adrienne Evans gives an update on the Center's archive and presents photos from CRP&A founder John Gruber during a Collections team presenation Sunday morning. Hailey Paige photo.

Heather Sonntag discusses the Center's Ron Hill collection during a Collections Team presentation Sunday morning. Hailey Paige photo.

Erin Rose presents images from the David Mainey collection on Sunday morning. Hailey Paige photo.

Natalie Krecek gives an update on the Jim Shaughnessy collection Sunday morning. Hailey Paige photo.

Elrond Lawrence discusses new collection acquisitions, including Stan Kistler's color work, on Sunday morning. Photo by Hailey Paige.

Nona Hill, the Center's treasurer, listens intently to a presenter during Conversations on Sunday. EL photo.

Mike Raia presents railroad photos of Chicagoland from various collections, including dad's and his own. EL photo.

Dennis Livesey snaps a selfie with the crowd during his Sunday presentation. EL photo.

Dennis Livesey makes a point while being interviewed by Justin Franz late Sunday morning. EL photo.

Photographer Dennis Livesey during his Sunday presentation, "10,000 and Beyond: Pictures on a Path." EL photo.

Justin Franz, CRP&A board member and interviewer, and Elrond Lawrence, acquisitions & marketing coordinator, pause for a picture on Saturday. Erin Rose photo.

Information

Thank you to every one who joined us at the Conversations 2022

Thank you to those who joined us in Lake Forest for the Center for Railroad Photography & Art’s Conversations 2022. This was the first time we have been able to gather in-person since 2019 and we were so lucky to share the weekend with an enthusiastic group of attendees. We welcomed 150 participants from 28 states to enjoy the gathering in Lake Forest.

The conference opened on Friday with the music of country singer Erik Shicotte and his rich baritone. Presentations ran throughout Saturday and continued through Sunday morning. We appreciated an assorted roster of presenters on topics ranging from mid-century classical rail photography to innovative and contemporary takes on both photography and art. We were also fortunate to have a brilliant and passionate docent duo assisting us throughout the weekend.

Thank you to all attendees for traveling such great distances and weathering the turbulent times to join us at Conversations 2022.

You can download the conference program here (29 MB).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING COVID-19

As we return to in-person programming, the Center is doing our utmost to ensure the safety of attendees while also delivering exceptional events. To do this we require the cooperation and consideration of all who plan to attend. Please review the following policies to make a personal decision for both the safety of yourself and for others. Keep in mind that the average age of attendees falls into the most vulnerable age group for transmission and symptoms of COVID-19.

Based on recent changes in Lake Forest College’s COVID-19 campus policy, masks are no longer required in indoor spaces on Lake Forest’s campus. This change is in line with CDC guidance as well as Lake County Health Department guidance. Masks are still encouraged for indoor use. Please understand that any significant increase in COVID on the campus may require the reinstatement of past precautions.

We will host meals and receptions in communal spaces with the option to eat outdoors, weather permitting. We will also make every effort to accommodate any special dietary needs. Please get in touch with Hailey Paige, hailey@railphoto-art.org, if you have any questions or concerns.

It is highly recommended that attendees be fully vaccinated and boosted, and/or receive a negative COVID test 72 hours ahead of the conference dates. Please monitor national and local transmission rates ahead of making your decision to attend. Full refunds are available up to one week before conference dates.

CDC COVID Data Tracker: covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
Illinois Department of Public Health Transmission Rates: dph.illinois.gov/covid19.html

All dates, times, and events are subject to change.

PRICES

Saturday and Sunday	Members	Non-Members*	Students**
Regular, by March 25	$145	$195	$50

Add-on: Friday banquet	$75	$75	$25
Add-on: Saturday banquet	$45	$45	$20

*Non-member prices include one-year membership
**Students include any individual under the age of twenty-five

LOCATION
Lake Forest College
555 N. Sheridan Road
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045

The campus of cosponsor Lake Forest College (campus map), thirty miles north of Chicago. Learn more about the City of Lake Forest online or download the PDF overview.

Session times will be similar to past conferences, but some locations have changed. We will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 8, with a reception including drinks and appetizers at Lake Forest College’s elegant Glen Rowan House. Dinner will follow in Calvin Durand Hall at the Mohr Student Center.

Saturday’s presentations, breaks, and lunch will take place entirely in the recently renovated Brown Hall, where doors will open at 8:00 a.m. Lunch is included with your registration. Another reception will follow, also in Brown Hall, and then we will host an optional dinner back at Calvin Durand.

Sunday’s programming will take place in Brown Hall, where doors will open at 8:00 a.m. The conference will conclude by 12:00 p.m. to provide time for lunch and travel.

SCHEDULE

Friday, April 8

5:00 – 7:00 pm: Reception (Glen Rowan House)
7:00 – 8:00 pm: Dinner (Calvin Durand Hall – additional purchase)
8:00 – 9:00 pm: Music by Erik Shicotte (Calvin Durand Hall)

Saturday, April 9

8:00 – 9:00 am: Coffee and pastries (Brown Hall, lobby)
9:00 – 9:30 am: Welcome message (Brown Hall, Tarble Room)
9:30 – 10:15 am: Kevin Keefe, Gene Huddleston and the C&O – 1947 to 1959 (Brown Hall, Tarble Room)
- Kevin will be standing in for Karen Parker who had to cancel
10:15 – 10:45 am: Break (Brown Hall, lobby)
10:45 – 11:15 am: Docents: August VanCleave, Charlie Voyda
11:15 – 12:00 pm: Lee Alban, It’s My Way or the Railway
12:15 – 1:30 pm: Lunch (Calvin Durand Hall)
1:30 – 2:00 pm: CRP&A Updates, Bon French, Al Louer & Scott Lothes (Brown Hall, Tarble Room)
2:00 – 3:00 pm: Kevin Keefe, The Railroad and the Art of Place: An Anthology / Scott Lothes, Continuity and Change
3:00 – 3:30 pm: Break (Brown Hall, lobby)
3:30 – 4:15 pm: Mark Llanuza, Abandoned Railroads in the Midwest: Before and After (Brown Hall, Tarble Room)
4:15 – 4:45 pm: Erik Shicotte, Interview by Justin Franz
4:45 pm: Conclusion
5:00 pm: Reception (Brown Hall, patio and lobby)
7:00 pm Dinner (Calvin Durand Hall – additional purchase)

Sunday, April 10

8:00 – 9:00 am: Coffee and pastries (Brown Hall, lobby)
9:00 – 10:00 am: CRP&A Collection Updates: Adrienne Evans, Natalie Krecek, Elrond Lawrence, Erin Rose, and Heather Sonntag (Brown Hall, Tarble Room)
10:00 – 10:30 am: Break (Brown Hall, lobby)
10:30 – 11:15 am: Mike Raia, Chicagoland Photography Selections from the Raia Collection (Brown Hall, Tarble Room)
11:15 – 12:00 pm: Dennis Livesey, 10,000 and Beyond: Pictures on a Path
12:00 pm: Conclusion

CATERING
The conference package features two cocktail receptions on Friday and Saturday evenings; pastries and coffee on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and lunch on Saturday. Two dinners are available for an additional cost. Registration for conference dinners is closed and on-site tickets are not available.

Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary needs, and we will make every effort to accommodate them.

Dates and Times

Friday, April 8

Conference reception, (Glen Rowan House), 5 p.m.
Dinner, (Calvin Durand Hall), 7:00 p.m.
Music by Erik Shicotte, 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 9

Coffee and pastries, (Brown Hall), 8:00 a.m.
Welcome, 9:00 a.m.
Kevin Keefe, 9:30 a.m.
Break, 10:15 a.m.
Docents: August VanCleave, Charlie Voyda, 10:45 a.m.
Lee Alban, 11:15 a.m.
Lunch, (Calvin Durand), 12:15 p.m.
CRP&A Updates, 1:30 p.m.
Kevin Keefe & Scott Lothes, 2:00 p.m.
Break, 3:00 p.m.
Mark Llanuza, 3:30 p.m.
Erik Shicotte, 4:15 p.m.
Conclusion, 4:45 p.m.
Reception, (Brown Hall), 5:00 p.m.
Dinner, (Calvin Durand Hall), 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 10

Coffee and pastries, (Brown Hall), 8:00 a.m.
CRP&A Collection Updates, 9:00 a.m.
Break, 10:00 a.m.
Mike Raia, 10:30 a.m.
Dennis Livesey, 11:15 a.m.
Conclusion, 12:00 p.m.