about
biography
Carrie Usmar is Rhode Island based visual artist whose practice re-examines the family album. Utilizing a documentary approach, Usmar explores the complexity of womanhood and the tension and ambivalence within domesticity. Her narrative projects are devoted to highlighting the psychological and unseen, the isolation and challenges of motherhood, and the humorous and poignant moments of raising a family.
Usmar received a BFA from University of Rhode Island with a focus in photography and filmmaking. She has exhibited at numerous institutions across the U.S., including Rhode Island Center For Photographic Arts, Newport Art Museum, Hera Gallery, and The Curated Fridge. Her work has been published on The Luupe and Lenscratch. She was selected for a residency at Garrett On The Green in upstate NY and was invited to attend the Eddie Adams Workshop XXXVI. Usmar is also a top 200 finalist for 2022 Critical Mass.
Carrie Usmar CV
Located in Rhode Island
EDUCATION
2009
University Of Rhode Island
Bachelor Of Fine Arts
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
10th International Call For Contemporary Photography, Juror: Karen Haas, RI Center For Photographic Arts, Providence RI
Curious Intervals: A Hera Members Exhibition, Hera Gallery, Wakefield, RI
Fifth Annual Juried Member Exhibition, Juror: Jessica Burco, RI Center For Photographic Arts, Providence RI
Third Annual Community Invitational Exhibition, Curator: Michael Rose, Providence Art Club, Providence, RI
2023
Fourth Annual Juried Members Spotlight Exhibition, Juror: Emily Belz, RI Center For Photographic Arts, Providence RI
Local Voices: A Hera Invitations Exhibition On Motherhood, Hera Gallery, Wakefield, RI
Procreate Project Archive at Lewisham Shopping Centre, London, UK
Third Annual Community Members Invitational, RI Center For Photographic Arts, Providence, RI
2022
Fourth Annual Juried Members Exhibition, Juror: Kristin Street, RI Center For Photographic Arts, Providence RI
Summer 2022, Juror: Aline Smithson, The Curated Fridge
8th International Call For Art, Juror: Jessica Roscio, RI Center for Photographic Arts, Providence, RI
2022 Newport Biennial, Juror: Dr Kimberli Gant, PhD, Newport Art Museum, Newport, RI
2009
URI Senior Student Showcase, Gallery Z, Providence, RI
Imago Fem, West Side Arts, Providence, RI
2008
URI Senior Student Thesis, Fine Art Center, Kingston, RI
ONLINE EXHIBITIONS
2023
Visions Of Motherhood 2023, The Luupe
#WomenWhoCare Campaign, Fem Lens
How We See Ourselves 2023, The Luupe
2022
How We See Ourselves 2022, The Luupe
Love Our Children, Curator: Laurie Frietag, L.A. Photo Curator
The “I” A Call for Self Portraiture, Curator: Ellen Friedlander, L.A. Photo Curator
2021
Storyteller’s Exhibition, RI Center For Photographic Arts
AWARDS, RESIDENCIES AND GRANTS
2024
Garrett On The Green Residency, Clinton, NY
2023
Eddie Adams Workshop Class of XXXVI
Mother Art Prize Shortlist 2023
2022
Top 200 Critical Mass Finalist 2022
Best Series, Non Professional Culture And Daily Life Category, 18th Pollux Awards
Lenscratch Feature Winner, The Curated Fridge Summer 2022, Juror: Aline Smithson
Best Series, Non-Professional Women Seen By Women Category, 18th Julia Margaret Cameron Awards
Honorable Mention for “Actively Listens”, The “I” A Call for Self Portraiture, Curator: Ellen Friedlander, L.A. Photo Curator
PRESS
2024
Artist Talk, Curious Intervals, Hera Gallery, Wakefield, RI March 2024
WPANYC Instagram Takeover, Womens Photo Alliance NYC, February 2024
Wyoming Photographers Work Featured In Providence Art Exhibit, Westerly Sun, February 2024
2022
Revisiting A Project, The Crit House, Jeff Larason
The Curated Fridge: Carrie Usmar: Resume Of A Stay At Home Mom, Lenscratch September 2022
18th Julia Margaret Cameron Awards, Fotonostrum Magazine, Issue 27, June 2022
A Critique of “Resume Of A Stay At Home Mom” on The Crit House with reviewers Phil Penman and Derek Fahsbender
Audio Guide of “Laundry Specialist” at The Newport Biennial, Newport Art Museum, Newport RI
MEMBERSHIPS
2023
Hera Gallery Associate Member
Rhode Island Center For Photographic Arts
Griffin Museum
Updated 03/22/24