Thanks to the nearly 150 who joined us Tuesday, May 12, for “Lure of the Rails,” an evening with Northeast photographer Ken Karlewicz. Ken developed an early appreciation for photography after receiving a Brownie Hawkeye camera from his father at age nine. His fascination with railroads began early as well, inspired by countless visits to New York’s Washington County and southern Vermont to photograph trains, landscapes, and people.
By following rail lines, Ken nurtured a deep appreciation for rural life– small towns, rivers, mountains, farms, and farmers–subjects that would define much of his photographic career. A departure from railroad subjects for more than twenty years would see Karlewicz pursuing various documentary projects using mostly black and white film.
Featuring predominantly color work, Ken’s presentation covers his past forty years taking viewers into New England, Upstate New York, and into the Hudson and Delaware valleys to see the trajectory of his artistic pursuits and where he is focused today.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 7:00 pm Central Time
This program was recorded and will be posted on the Center’s YouTube page at @railphotoart in late May.
Widely exhibited through his career, Ken’s work has appeared in numerous publications, including American Photographer, Trains Illustrated, Railfan & Railroad, and the New York Times, among others. Ken lives in Rockland County, New York, with his wife, Priscilla. He most recently authored the color hardcover book, Batten Kill County: Seasons of Change.
