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It's a complex year for our distinct American anniversary; it's a complex year for biennials.It feels hard to define who we are, and tougher still to define where we're going.

Up at the @heckschermuseum right now in "Just Powers," their biennial reflecting on America's bisesquicentennial, I've got a few photographs from my favorite project, reflecting on the idea of freedom in America.The Heckscher is a half mile from where my grandfather was born, in an area where my father's European ancestors have lived for 400 years and his little sliver of Monsiyok people have been for about 3,000.This year the nation remembers our revolution: a civil war in which my namesake, Karel van Sijs, chose the losing side.Some might say we're in the midst of a sort of cold civil war, again.

I've treasured the absolutely unheard-of opportunity to sit down with so many incarcerated men, women and children for unguarded, unmonitored, free conversations in so many places— I've met the best and worst of America doing the work, and at times it seems difficult to tell the difference.

In this photograph, New Mexico inmate José Flores, who was about a year into his stint when we met.

@leonianfoundation

Exhibition photos by @jessicarosenn / @heckschermuseum

It's a complex year for our distinct American anniversary; it's a complex year for biennials.It feels hard to define who we are, and tougher still to define where we're going.

Up at the @heckschermuseum right now in "Just Powers," their biennial reflecting on America's bisesquicentennial, I've got a few photographs from my favorite project, reflecting on the idea of freedom in America.The Heckscher is a half mile from where my grandfather was born, in an area where my father's European ancestors have lived for 400 years and his little sliver of Monsiyok people have been for about 3,000.This year the nation remembers our revolution: a civil war in which my namesake, Karel van Sijs, chose the losing side.Some might say we're in the midst of a sort of cold civil war, again.

I've treasured the absolutely unheard-of opportunity to sit down with so many incarcerated men, women and children for unguarded, unmonitored, free conversations in so many places— I've met the best and worst of America doing the work, and at times it seems difficult to tell the difference.

In this photograph, New Mexico inmate José Flores, who was about a year into his stint when we met.

@leonianfoundation

Exhibition photos by @jessicarosenn / @heckschermuseum

It's a complex year for our distinct American anniversary; it's a complex year for biennials.It feels hard to define who we are, and tougher still to define where we're going.

Up at the @heckschermuseum right now in "Just Powers," their biennial reflecting on America's bisesquicentennial, I've got a few photographs from my favorite project, reflecting on the idea of freedom in America.The Heckscher is a half mile from where my grandfather was born, in an area where my father's European ancestors have lived for 400 years and his little sliver of Monsiyok people have been for about 3,000.This year the nation remembers our revolution: a civil war in which my namesake, Karel van Sijs, chose the losing side.Some might say we're in the midst of a sort of cold civil war, again.

I've treasured the absolutely unheard-of opportunity to sit down with so many incarcerated men, women and children for unguarded, unmonitored, free conversations in so many places— I've met the best and worst of America doing the work, and at times it seems difficult to tell the difference.

In this photograph, New Mexico inmate José Flores, who was about a year into his stint when we met.

@leonianfoundation

Exhibition photos by @jessicarosenn / @heckschermuseum

Italy's @fotografiaetica was founded with the intention of focusing on ethical content of great relevance, bringing the general public closer to social issues. Photography is a vital tool in communicating the reality of social injustice around the world and I was honored- and perhaps a bit surprised- to find out yesterday that my 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘦- the project that's had me in 37 prisons in 17 states these last two years- has been shortlisted for it.Sponsored by the @nyfacurrent and the @leonianfoundation , 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘦 is (by far) my favorite thing I've ever done: focusing on the underlying humanity of the many, many, many incarcerated men, women and children I've met working on this, it's complex, confusing, complicated, and exceptionally challenging to look at, to think about, and to remember.

In this photograph: 45 year old Mexican-born Leobardo Velasquez, who's been incarcerated in Kansas the last eight years. During the day, he and a number of other inmates are bussed to a nearby factory, from which he'd returned minutes before sitting down with me. All the images are paired (in the exhibition form) with the subject's verbatim recounting of their earliest childhood memory.

𝗜𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲.

𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀. 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀.

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁. 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱. 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗵. 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝗴𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝗺𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲, 𝗜'𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲, 𝗵𝗲𝘆, 𝗜'𝗺 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. 𝗦𝗵𝗲'𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲, 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘆. 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗶𝘁.

We are honored and excited to announce that the Pictorial Foundation has received a generous grant from the Philip and Edith Leonian Foundation to support the creation of what will become the largest walk in Camera Obscura in the Hudson Valley.

This transformative project will invite the public into an immersive photographic experience where light, architecture, history, and perception converge in real time. Built upon the earliest principles of image making, the Camera Obscura will serve as both a monumental public artwork and an educational space dedicated to expanding conversations around photography, vision, and collective experience.

We are profoundly grateful for the support and belief in our mission.

Coming soon. Stay tuned.

#leonianfoundation #ocnychambermember #cameraobscura #hudsonvalley #pictorialfoundation

Exploring the strangeness lurking behind the ordinary in everyday life.

Featuring: Brooke DiDonato, “Take a Picture, It Will Last Longer”

📸Brooke DiDonato (@brookedidonato)

🔗 Link in bio to preview more of “Take a Picture, It Will Last Longer”, as well as all the 85+ public #Photoville2026 exhibits going up throughout NYC this summer!⁠
____⁠
📍 Brooklyn Bridge Park
▪️ Presented by Photoville with additional support by the Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation (@leonianfoundation)

____⁠
 📅 May 16–30th, 2026
📣 Opening Weekend May 16th and 17th, 2026 in @brooklynbridgepark
📍 85+ exhibitions across all 5 boroughs + IRL & online public programming
✨ Link in bio to learn more!
Thanks to Lead Marquee Partner @VSCO and Marquee Partners @brooklynbridgepark, @nycparks, @leicacamerausa, @nyculture, @neaarts @photowings, @nyscouncilonthearts, @madein_ny, @twotreesny, @dumbo_brooklyn, and @citypointbklyn
#PhotovilleFestival #Photoville2026 #PhotovilleNYC

An immersive container installation that transforms the sea from a site of rupture into a living cosmological archive. Step into the sea as memory, ritual, and ancestral passage.

Featuring: Adeolu Osibodu (@adeoluosibodu), justin.el (@ourlittleauthor), Marcus Kiser (@marcus_kiser), Khadijat Oseni (@jetsetterproblems), “By Way of Water”, curated by Khadijat Oseni

📸Adeolu Osibodu

🔗 Link in bio to preview more of “By Way of Water”, as well as all the 85+ public #Photoville2026 exhibits going up throughout NYC this summer!⁠
____⁠
📍 Brooklyn Bridge Park
▪️ Presented by Photoville with additional support by the Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation (@leonianfoundation)

____⁠
 📅 May 16–30th, 2026
📣 Opening Weekend May 16th and 17th, 2026 in @brooklynbridgepark
📍 85+ exhibitions across all 5 boroughs + IRL & online public programming
✨ Link in bio to learn more!
Thanks to Lead Marquee Partner @VSCO and Marquee Partners @brooklynbridgepark, @nycparks, @leicacamerausa, @nyculture, @neaarts @photowings, @nyscouncilonthearts, @madein_ny, @twotreesny, @dumbo_brooklyn, and @citypointbklyn
#PhotovilleFestival #Photoville2026 #PhotovilleNYC

Pioneers in American dance, including Pearl Primus, Geoffrey Holder, Carmen De Lavallade, and Joe Nash, illustrate a soaring legacy of expressive movement and expert technique in this curated selection of mid-20th-century photographs.

Featuring: Dance photography from several collections in the Schomburg Center’s Photographs & Prints Division, “POSE: Black Dance Photography from the mid-20th Century, Preserved at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture”, curated by Kimberly A. Henderson

🔗 Link in bio to preview more of “POSE: Black Dance Photography from the mid-20th Century, Preserved at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture”, as well as all the 85+ public #Photoville2026 exhibits going up throughout NYC this summer!⁠
____⁠
📍 Jackie Robinson Park
▪️ Presented by Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (@schomburgcenter), with additional support by the Phillip & Edith Leonian Foundation (@leonianfoundation)
____⁠
 📅 May 16–30th, 2026
📣 Opening Weekend May 16th and 17th, 2026 in @brooklynbridgepark
📍 85+ exhibitions across all 5 boroughs + IRL & online public programming
✨ Link in bio to learn more!
Thanks to Lead Marquee Partner @VSCO and Marquee Partners @brooklynbridgepark, @nycparks, @leicacamerausa, @nyculture, @neaarts @photowings, @nyscouncilonthearts, @madein_ny, @twotreesny, @dumbo_brooklyn, and @citypointbklyn
#PhotovilleFestival #Photoville2026 #PhotovilleNYC

Special thanks to the @leonianfoundation for its support of Sitka’s youth outreach with point-and-shoot instant cameras, chronicling sense of place in the high desert. In Paisley and Lakeview, Oregon, Sitka Photography and Rural Youth Outreach Fellow Mike Vos recently spent a week in residence as a teaching artist, working with students who rarely have access to visual arts classes during the school day. Thank you for helping make this impactful photography project a reality. @studiomikevos

Special thanks to the @leonianfoundation for its support of Sitka’s youth outreach with point-and-shoot instant cameras, chronicling sense of place in the high desert. In Paisley and Lakeview, Oregon, Sitka Photography and Rural Youth Outreach Fellow Mike Vos recently spent a week in residence as a teaching artist, working with students who rarely have access to visual arts classes during the school day. Thank you for helping make this impactful photography project a reality. @studiomikevos

Special thanks to the @leonianfoundation for its support of Sitka’s youth outreach with point-and-shoot instant cameras, chronicling sense of place in the high desert. In Paisley and Lakeview, Oregon, Sitka Photography and Rural Youth Outreach Fellow Mike Vos recently spent a week in residence as a teaching artist, working with students who rarely have access to visual arts classes during the school day. Thank you for helping make this impactful photography project a reality. @studiomikevos

Special thanks to the @leonianfoundation for its support of Sitka’s youth outreach with point-and-shoot instant cameras, chronicling sense of place in the high desert. In Paisley and Lakeview, Oregon, Sitka Photography and Rural Youth Outreach Fellow Mike Vos recently spent a week in residence as a teaching artist, working with students who rarely have access to visual arts classes during the school day. Thank you for helping make this impactful photography project a reality. @studiomikevos

Last week, in partnership with @thewomensbuilding, our fabulous @firstexposures mentees worked side-by-side with their mentors to bring smiles to over 250 families, partners, and pets at Envision, our annual free community portrait event!

“Collaborating with First Exposures for their Envision Portrait Day is incredibly special to me because it gives our community the chance to feel seen and recognized. Offering free portraits is such a beautiful and powerful way to honor people’s stories, make families smile, and provide access to something personal and memorable.” - Lily, Family Reunification Program Manager at The Women’s Building.

If you would like to help us reach more families next year, click the link 🔗 in the bio to donate!

A special shout-out and thank you to our supporters who helped make this event possible for our community this holiday season:
@leonianfoundation
@captureone
@leftspace
@orangephoto
FX mentors, mentees, and volunteers!

#envision #firstexposures #portraitphotography #youthphotography #mentoring #familyphotography

🌼✨ Creativity in bloom at the Monarch School Project ✨🌼

Students are exploring photography and mixed media through a meaningful project inspired by the cempasúchil — the marigold flower symbolizing remembrance, love, and connection.

Using portrait photography and Polaroid photo transfers, students reflected on their environment and what it means to nurture and improve the places they call home. 🏡📸

This program is made possible in part by the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation @leonianfoundation—whose enduring legacy uplifts photographers and strengthens community-rooted arts education. Their support helps us continue empowering youth to explore identity, storytelling, and social change through the lens.⁠
⁠
Learn more about Phillip Leonian’s iconic photography: www.phillipleonian.com

It’s inspiring to see young artists using art to tell their stories, express gratitude, and imagine brighter futures for their communities. 💛

#OutsideTheLens #MonarchSchoolProject #YouthVoices #MediaArtsEducation #Cempasuchil #DiaDeLosMuertos #PhotoTransferArt #CreateConnectInspire

🌼✨ Creativity in bloom at the Monarch School Project ✨🌼

Students are exploring photography and mixed media through a meaningful project inspired by the cempasúchil — the marigold flower symbolizing remembrance, love, and connection.

Using portrait photography and Polaroid photo transfers, students reflected on their environment and what it means to nurture and improve the places they call home. 🏡📸

This program is made possible in part by the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation @leonianfoundation—whose enduring legacy uplifts photographers and strengthens community-rooted arts education. Their support helps us continue empowering youth to explore identity, storytelling, and social change through the lens.⁠
⁠
Learn more about Phillip Leonian’s iconic photography: www.phillipleonian.com

It’s inspiring to see young artists using art to tell their stories, express gratitude, and imagine brighter futures for their communities. 💛

#OutsideTheLens #MonarchSchoolProject #YouthVoices #MediaArtsEducation #Cempasuchil #DiaDeLosMuertos #PhotoTransferArt #CreateConnectInspire

🌼✨ Creativity in bloom at the Monarch School Project ✨🌼

Students are exploring photography and mixed media through a meaningful project inspired by the cempasúchil — the marigold flower symbolizing remembrance, love, and connection.

Using portrait photography and Polaroid photo transfers, students reflected on their environment and what it means to nurture and improve the places they call home. 🏡📸

This program is made possible in part by the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation @leonianfoundation—whose enduring legacy uplifts photographers and strengthens community-rooted arts education. Their support helps us continue empowering youth to explore identity, storytelling, and social change through the lens.⁠
⁠
Learn more about Phillip Leonian’s iconic photography: www.phillipleonian.com

It’s inspiring to see young artists using art to tell their stories, express gratitude, and imagine brighter futures for their communities. 💛

#OutsideTheLens #MonarchSchoolProject #YouthVoices #MediaArtsEducation #Cempasuchil #DiaDeLosMuertos #PhotoTransferArt #CreateConnectInspire

🌼✨ Creativity in bloom at the Monarch School Project ✨🌼

Students are exploring photography and mixed media through a meaningful project inspired by the cempasúchil — the marigold flower symbolizing remembrance, love, and connection.

Using portrait photography and Polaroid photo transfers, students reflected on their environment and what it means to nurture and improve the places they call home. 🏡📸

This program is made possible in part by the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation @leonianfoundation—whose enduring legacy uplifts photographers and strengthens community-rooted arts education. Their support helps us continue empowering youth to explore identity, storytelling, and social change through the lens.⁠
⁠
Learn more about Phillip Leonian’s iconic photography: www.phillipleonian.com

It’s inspiring to see young artists using art to tell their stories, express gratitude, and imagine brighter futures for their communities. 💛

#OutsideTheLens #MonarchSchoolProject #YouthVoices #MediaArtsEducation #Cempasuchil #DiaDeLosMuertos #PhotoTransferArt #CreateConnectInspire

🌼✨ Creativity in bloom at the Monarch School Project ✨🌼

Students are exploring photography and mixed media through a meaningful project inspired by the cempasúchil — the marigold flower symbolizing remembrance, love, and connection.

Using portrait photography and Polaroid photo transfers, students reflected on their environment and what it means to nurture and improve the places they call home. 🏡📸

This program is made possible in part by the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation @leonianfoundation—whose enduring legacy uplifts photographers and strengthens community-rooted arts education. Their support helps us continue empowering youth to explore identity, storytelling, and social change through the lens.⁠
⁠
Learn more about Phillip Leonian’s iconic photography: www.phillipleonian.com

It’s inspiring to see young artists using art to tell their stories, express gratitude, and imagine brighter futures for their communities. 💛

#OutsideTheLens #MonarchSchoolProject #YouthVoices #MediaArtsEducation #Cempasuchil #DiaDeLosMuertos #PhotoTransferArt #CreateConnectInspire

The PhotoWork Foundation is honored to have received support from the 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ( @leonianfoundation ) for our 2026 Junior Fellowship program.

With their support, we can continue mentoring emerging artists within post-documentary photography, offering financial and professional resources, and building an engaged audience for the work of our Fellows and Mentors.

𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 2009, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘓𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘤 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘺 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴. 𝘐𝘵𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘺, 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴.

#photoworkfoundation #photoworkjuniorfellowship#photowork #photographyfellowship #photographymentorship #postdocumentary

A huge thank you to @leonianfoundation for their incredible support of this year’s Eddie Adams Workshop. Their dedication to empowering visual storytellers helps our students make the most of this transformative experience—both behind the camera and beyond.

📸 Coming with a Photoville Festival #tbt with @mahkaeslami featured in, “Bodega Boys”!

In this beautiful and vibrant exhibition, Mahka’s “Bodega Boys” captures the lives, resilience, and dreams of the shop owners in the spaces where cultures meet, identities are shaped, and New York’s vibrant mosaic comes alive!

Thank you @mahkaeslami for joining us on the mic this summer ♥️🎤! Check out more of her work at @mahkaeslami !

💐Big thank you to @leonianfoundation for supporting Mahka and “Bodega Boys”!