in progress proudly presents
FRAMED FRAMED features the digital photography work of three outstanding new artists — Caitlin Connery, Cha Lor and Kao Na “Raynie” Vang. Together they have learned and created. They have taught one another by photographing and critiquing each other’s work. They have used their cameras to explore the inner workings of their minds and let loose upon the world their expressions of what it means to move from childhood to womanhood. These new artists are young women, ages 14 to 16, living in the Twin Cities metro area. Each is self-taught. Each has talent and ability that shines. They are truly photographers in their own right. They are also a trio of artists that are now learning from each other, teaming up on photo shoots and trading their current knowledge of the form. The works were all created through the use of digital cameras and computers and were then curated and presented publicly by the following curators: Cha Lor, Meng Xiong and Jessie Zubiran
FEATURED ARTIST CHA LOR I was around 7 or 8 years old when my older siblings took the black and white photography classes at a nearby neighborhood organization. I was jealous because I was "too young" to take the classes myself. When I was finally old enough, there weren't enough other students interested and so the classes were cancelled. I was furious! I wanted to photograph so bad but didn't have a camera and couldn't get my hands on one. Photography was always intriguing to me. I always wanted to capture the moment — to capture unity and happiness. Eventually my dad got a camera as a gift, and I used it so much he decided to buy me my own. Now, at the age of, 16, I've done enough fundraising, including paid photo shoots, to pay for my own digital SLR camera. I have two years of experience behind the lens and am constantly looking for new ways to improve my knowledge and skills. I teach other young people what I've learned about working with models, technical difficulties, Photoshop and more, and I really want to end up teaching photography as a profession. I love photography with all I've got. If I could marry photography, I would.
framed Cha Lor
FEATURED ARTIST CAITLIN CONNERY I've lived in San Francisco, Idaho, Wyoming, and Canada and I now live in Minneapolis. I love having lived in both cities and small towns, because it adds a lot of personality to my work. When you're in a city you get the urban feel to your photos. The sky seems small, and you really don't see life the way you do when you're in a small town where the sky is big, there are no huge buildings around and there are fields where you can run. I am so passionate about my photography, and I think I always will be. I mostly shoot lots of portraits of people and myself. I also like to photograph nature. Since starting at In Progress, I've made some photographer friends. When I first saw their work I was amazed by the difference from my own. We traded thoughts and approaches to our creativity. We learned from each other. Moving to the Twin Cities and meeting other young photographers has really helped improve and stretch my skills in this art form.
hope Caitlin Connery
FEATURED ARTIST KAO NA “RAYNIE” VANG I am a young photographer still hungry to learn the art and still taking small steps toward my goal of being a young artist. I am 15 years old with only three months of experience as a photographer. I started out as a model working with freelance fashion photographers, in front of the camera. Being the center of the camera’s attention left my creative glass only half full. I wanted more control over what was being captured through the lens. My first experience with photography was developing and printing from film cameras. I started taking a class at my school that was about photography. In that class we used film cameras and learned about the different chemicals in the dark room. The dark room was one of my favorite experiences in photography. I enjoyed it! I started looking around for any photography program that would help me, but there seemed to be a price tag to participate and I couldn’t afford it. I searched on MySpace and found Cha Lor and read a little about In Progress. I was really interested in how each artist at In Progress had their own third eye, or way of seeing things, as a photographer. I decided I wanted to be a part of this group and so I’ve been with In Progress ever since.
untitled Kao Na “Raynie” Vang
UNFRAMED the freedom of our childhood This show FRAMED — well let’s just say that I am super excited about it. I am so happy that I can finally show my work in a physical form. To me, the title of the exhibit has to do with how we are growing up. This show is framing us — stopping us in time. It shows how in just a short period everything has changed in my life. It shows how I have grown up. FRAMED also lets me show just how much I love art. And though I know my photography will change over time, I hope my love for art will stay within me forever. Caitlin Connery
I wish this were me holding this wonderfully amazing awesomely cool camera! Caitllin Connery
California Cha Lor
big fish Kao Na “Raynie” Vang
innocence
unattainable
Cha Lor
Cha Lor
flying
push
Caitlin Connery
Kao Na “Raynie” Vang
white heat Caitlin Connery
"When I first moved to Minneapolis, it really, really upset me. I had the best friends that I ever had there, and I have one that is basically like a sister to me, and so I was just seeing how like everybody at school, everybody was so happy around me, but I'm not. Since I've been with In Progress and met Cha and Raynie and everything, it's been a lot better. It really isn't the dark path she walked anymore; it's getting better." Caitlin Connery
The path she walked was dark Caitlin Connery
keep out Caitlin Connery
park Caitlin Connery
WATING FOR SPRING the long wait to grow up.... I’ve learned many new things from these two young photographers, and I want to keep working and sharing with them. Photography is a long and never-ending road of learning, and I want to keep going. Kao Na “Raynie” Vang
winter cherry Caitlin Connery
light for christmas Caitlin Connery
we're good and we're evil which one will I be today? Caitlin Connery
The chaos in my life is really trying to decide where I want to go to high school, who I want to be friends with ... just like teenage stuff: who I miss and who I don't and just all of the stuff between school and homework and work. Caitlin Connery
yes. my life is chaotic Caitlin Connery
easter’s over
doughnut
Caitlin Connery
Caitlin Connery
the flame captured her Caitlin Connery
the wait Caitlin Connery
I didn’t do it Caitlin Connery
who knew? that these years would bring such emotion
eye love baseball
unwritten
Caitlin Connery
Caitlin Connery
escape to paradise Caitlin Connery
out of place Caitlin Connery
I know a girl who warns the dangers of love Caitlin Connery
I feel like I have to give up my playful ways and be more mature and be more adult-like toward things — even like how I feel. If I get angry or something I shouldn't let it show or be a complete kid about it. I fail all the time. I feel like I need more work at it. I have two years for that. Cha Lor
making way Cha Lor
dead today Kao Na “Raynie” Vang
the climb Caitlin Connery
wide eyed Caitlin Connery
will work for love Kao Na “Raynie” Vang
“My friend actually came to school with a piece of cardboard that said 'free hugs.' He actually likes giving hugs, but he doesn't get many of them. I just kind of related to him. I was going through a breakup, so it was kind of rough on my part.� Cha Lor
free hugs Cha Lor
stuck in the dark Caitlin Connery
penny for your thoughts Kao Na “Raynie” Vang
I took a penny because when you're poor every penny counts. I'm around people who are poor at school. The poor are really bullied and people who are rich look down on the poor. Kao Na “Raynie� Vang
trapped in our own skin Caitlin Connery
FINALLY framing OUR beauty through OUR eyes and OUR minds We have waited many months for this. It is what we have to show for those long days of photographing and late nights of editing. Nothing feels better than a framed work of art, a piece of my mind set and ready to present. Cha Lor
not the norm Kao Na “Raynie” Vang
questionable Kao Na “Raynie” Vang
stereo-type Kao Na “Raynie” Vang
fearless Cha Lor
new horizon
confidence
the cool one
Cha Lor
Cha Lor
Cha Lor
skin deep Cha Lor
curiosity Cha Lor
above all Cha Lor
the fractured Cha Lor
sitting in judgment Cha Lor
peace & love Cha Lor
Acknowledgements The FRAMED exhibit would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts and contributions of the local community. With that we would like to thank the following: Families - parents, spouses, siblings, children and friends that supported these artists while they took time to plan and prepare this exhibit, and that continue to support their artistic development with kind words and guidance. Curators & Organizers for giving many extra hours of your time and effort to this project. Mentors for seeing the extraordinary gifts that exist within the young artists they taught. Partners for giving In Progress a home during its workshops and bringing us new artists to work with each year. Special thanks to Meng Xiong & Jessie Zubiran who worked with our artists to curate the exhibit and our contributors for providing In Progress with a financial base that allowed for the expense of workshops, mentorships and exhibits. We would like to specifically thank: Best Buy Children’s Foundation The McKnight Foundation The Minnesota State Arts Board - Arts In Education Program The Traveler’s Foundation Thomson Reuters Corporate Giving Programs The Yackel Foundation and finally the many visitors who came and witnessed the work, spoke encouragingly to our artists and shared what they saw with others. To everyone that supported this exhibit, in Progress would like to say thank you!
in progress In Progress provides opportunities for young people to develop their skills as storytellers, artists, and leaders through the use of digital media. This small non-profit has been promoting the voices of young and newly developing media artists since its inception in 1996. Those of us that work with In Progress are committed to breaking down barriers of geography, class, education, and culture. We use digital artmaking as a tool for public discourse, while building the skills of pre-emerging artists to create, teach and lead. In Progress seeks and maintains partnerships with communities that are urban, rural, and tribal; that are culturally diverse; economically depressed; and lacking in existing opportunities in media production. Each year In Progress offers workshops, residencies, exhibits, and mentorships to more than 800 young people. Each experience is designed to meet the unique learning needs of those being served. For more information about In Progress, please visit our website at www.in-progress.org