When TIME magazine was searching for the perfect images to accompany a 2012 cover story on the history of the American dream, it turned to Mike Sinclair. The Kansas City photographer has captured life in the heartland for nearly 4 decades, often training his lens on his hometown.

Sinclair discusses his work in an illustrated presentation spotlighting three series of images captured in downtown KC, along Main Street, and on Armour Boulevard. He also looks at his current projects.

The event, part of a yearlong celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Charlotte Street Foundation, is co-sponsored by the Charlotte Street Foundation and made possible by a grant from the Enid and Crosby Kemper Foundation, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee.