“ Karen has been a fixture on the independent Cleveland rock scene for 20 or so years. Band after band after band has stayed at her house, enjoyed her hospitality and friendship. Karen is also Cleveland rock and roll’s in-house photographer. Is there a band in Cleveland or a touring band that she has not shot? Doubtful. If you call yourself a Cleveland rocker and you don’t know Karen, you are bestowing upon yourself a dubious title.”
Will Sharf - Keelhaul
Karen Novak - Photographer
"Two of my great loves in life are Rock’n’Roll and photography."
In 1988 I pursued my dream and attended The Cleveland Institute of Art majoring in photography. I soon began to photograph the Cleveland music scene in such venues as The Euclid Tavern ,The Old Peabody's DownUnder, and The Grog Shop. If rock music was blaring, I was likely there taking pictures. Over the past 20+ years it has been my passion to photograph every Rock concert I could and I have been lucky enough to shoot hundreds of local acts as well as internationally known bands like Bauhaus, The Cramps, and the Ramones. I have also been fortunate enough to have photographed several bands in clubs before they were big, like Queens of the Stone Age, Mastodon, and Green Day. My work is more than simple documentation; I seek to capture the raw energy of live rock music and present it true to the visions of the artists. My work has been used as cover art for numerous bands and has been used as cover art for numerous bands and has been published in newspapers, books, magazines, and shown in galleries in Cleveland, New York, Chicago, California, and Texas.
'ROCK N ROLL STATIC’ Photography by Karen Novak
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 2nd 6-10pm
Exhibition: June 2nd - June 30th
