Kara LaFrance is a fine artist and graphic designer based in Haverhill, MA, whose life and work are deeply intertwined with her personal journey and advocacy. Raised in northern New Jersey, Kara’s artistic talent was nurtured from a young age through private art classes, leading her to pursue a BFA in Graphic Design from the renowned Rochester Institute of Technology.
Kara’s professional career began in Boston at a small design firm dedicated to nonprofits and socially responsible businesses, where she discovered a passion for meaningful and impactful design work. However, her path took an unexpected turn with a late diagnosis of acromegaly, a rare disease that significantly altered her life.
Despite these challenges, Kara has remained steadfast in her artistic endeavors. She continues to create evocative oil paintings and watercolors, using her art as a form of private meditation and personal joy. Her work often reflects memories and emotions that resonate deeply with her audience.
In addition to her artistic pursuits, Kara is a dedicated patient advocate, raising awareness about acromegaly and chronic illness through her art and public engagements. She remains committed to working with nonprofits and socially responsible businesses, integrating her design expertise with her advocacy efforts.
Kara LaFrance’s art and advocacy are a testament to her resilience and passion, making her a unique and inspiring figure in the art community.
Past Shows
Newburyport Art, Newburyport, MA, 23rd Annual Art Auction
Exhibition: August 30 – September 17
Auction Night – September 21
- The Kanyer Art Collection – Historical Archive, Yakima, WA – Finding Treasures in the Discarded, Wild Caught, August 2024
- Artists on Fire with Juniper Rag and Worcester Center for Crafts in Worcester, Massachusetts. July-Aug 2024
Newburyport Art, Newburyport, MA, Colors of March, Crown of Hawthorn, March 2024
- Alchemy + Art, Amesbury, MA – Small Works – Pink Dogwoods, Nov-Dec 2023
- Mosaic Art Collective, Manchester, NH, Favorite Things, Yellow Roses, Nov-Dec 2023
- GHAA, Annual Open Exhibit, Buttonwoods, Haverhill, MA – May 2023
- Alchemy + Art, Amesbury, MA – Smaller Big Art Show – Spring Fig Feb-Apr 2023
- Exhibizone, Online Gallery, Emptiness 2022: Forgotten Railways Still Tell Tales, Public
- Choice Award Winner
- Gallerium, Online Gallery, Femina – 2022: Soulful Gypsy, 1st Place
- Biafarin, Online Gallery, Diversia: Earth – 2021 Exhibition: Spirituality of the Bee, 1st Place
- Faircraft Brauhuas, Fairport, NY: Exhibited January – July 2021
- Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, Norwalk, CT: Juried Exhibition
The Trained Eye: The Art of Railways & Stations – October 9, 2019 – January 5, 2020 - Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, Norwalk, CT: Juried Exhibition
Historic Grounds & Modern Gardens, Southern Series April 11 – June 23 2019 - ALL Planet Earth Competition and Exhibition – Judge’s Choice for “Spring Fig” – 2019
- Margret Lane Gallery, Hillsborough, NC: Spring Fig and Sweetest Peaches – April-May Show 2018
- Anglin Smith Gallery, Charleston, SC: Oct. 2017 Dysautonomia Advocacy Foundation Event
Past Shows
Newburyport Art, Newburyport, MA, 23rd Annual Art Auction
Exhibition: August 30 – September 17
Auction Night – September 21
- The Kanyer Art Collection – Historical Archive, Yakima, WA – Finding Treasures in the Discarded, Wild Caught, August 2024
- Artists on Fire with Juniper Rag and Worcester Center for Crafts in Worcester, Massachusetts. July-Aug 2024
Newburyport Art, Newburyport, MA, Colors of March, Crown of Hawthorn, March 2024
- Alchemy + Art, Amesbury, MA – Small Works – Pink Dogwoods, Nov-Dec 2023
- Mosaic Art Collective, Manchester, NH, Favorite Things, Yellow Roses, Nov-Dec 2023
- GHAA, Annual Open Exhibit, Buttonwoods, Haverhill, MA – May 2023
- Alchemy + Art, Amesbury, MA – Smaller Big Art Show – Spring Fig Feb-Apr 2023
- Exhibizone, Online Gallery, Emptiness 2022: Forgotten Railways Still Tell Tales, Public
- Choice Award Winner
- Gallerium, Online Gallery, Femina – 2022: Soulful Gypsy, 1st Place
- Biafarin, Online Gallery, Diversia: Earth – 2021 Exhibition: Spirituality of the Bee, 1st Place
- Faircraft Brauhuas, Fairport, NY: Exhibited January – July 2021
- Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, Norwalk, CT: Juried Exhibition
The Trained Eye: The Art of Railways & Stations – October 9, 2019 – January 5, 2020 - Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, Norwalk, CT: Juried Exhibition
Historic Grounds & Modern Gardens, Southern Series April 11 – June 23 2019 - ALL Planet Earth Competition and Exhibition – Judge’s Choice for “Spring Fig” – 2019
- Margret Lane Gallery, Hillsborough, NC: Spring Fig and Sweetest Peaches – April-May Show 2018
- Anglin Smith Gallery, Charleston, SC: Oct. 2017 Dysautonomia Advocacy Foundation Event