Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Photography Exhibit Shows Faces of Red Hook

By Nikhita Venugopal | February 10, 2014 3:20pm
 Photographer Craig LaCourt's collection of portraits featuring local residents and business owners in the neighborhood.
'This Town: Portraits of Red Hook'
View Full Caption

RED HOOK — After years of photographing people in Red Hook, Craig LaCourt saw more than just a collection of faces in his pictures.

Using dozens of portraits of Red Hook community members, LaCourt, a photographer who has lived in the neighborhood for 13 years, created an exhibit: “This Town: Portraits of Red Hook,” which will be on display Feb. 27 at Hometown BBQ, 454 Van Brunt St.

“It’s about the community,” said LaCourt, 38, who lives in Red Hook with his wife, Shami, and their 2-year-old daughter, Mihika. 

“Everyone treats each other like extended family,” he said.

In a reflection of that community spirit, money raised by the exhibit will be donated to LaCourt, after more than $20,000 worth of photography equipment was stolen from their car last month. The family was traveling through Detroit when their car was broken into, and they lost digital cameras, lenses, two laptops, hard drives and several important documents, LaCourt said.

The couple had insurance on their gear, but it all expired last October, leaving them no immediate way to replace the equipment, LaCourt said.

And so, at the urging of friends, LaCourt decided that he would use the exhibit of 30 of his photos to help him raise money to purchase equipment to continue his work. Funds will be raised through the sale of photographs, a suggested donation of $20 and a raffle with gifts donated by Brooklyn businesses.

“In Red Hook fashion, fundraisers are always parties,” LaCourt said. "We feel very fortunate to be part of that community.” 

The LaCourts said they hope to honor Red Hook residents through the collection, which continues to grow with more and more faces that have come to define the neighborhood.

“You just don’t see this everywhere,” said Shami LaCourt.

LaCourt's entire collection will be available for sale online after the one-day show Feb. 27.