Visual Artist
about
biography
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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, The Griffin Museum, Hera Gallery, and The Curated Fridge. Her work has been published on The New Republic, Lenscratch and The Luupe. 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.
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Carrie Usmar CV
Located in Rhode Island
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EDUCATION
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2009
University Of Rhode Island
Bachelor Of Fine Arts
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
Back To School, Rhode Island Center For Photographic Arts, Providence, RI
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Atelier 39 Exhibition, Griffin Museum, August 2024, Winchester MA
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30th Annual Griffin Members Juried Exhibition, Juror: Mazie Harris, Griffin Museum, June 2024, Winchester, MA
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Through The Lens, University Of Rhode Island, Green Hall Lobby, Kingston RI
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
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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
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Summer 2022, Juror: Aline Smithson, The Curated Fridge
8th International Call For Art, Juror: Jessica Roscio, RI Center for Photographic Arts, Providence, RI
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2022 Newport Biennial, Juror: Dr Kimberli Gant, PhD, Newport Art Museum, Newport, RI
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2009
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URI Senior Student Showcase, Gallery Z, Providence, RI
Imago Fem, West Side Arts, Providence, RI
2008
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URI Senior Student Thesis, Fine Art Center, Kingston, RI
ONLINE EXHIBITIONS
2023
Visions Of Motherhood 2023, The Luupe
#WomenWhoCare Campaign, Fem Lens
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How We See Ourselves 2023, The Luupe
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2022
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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
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Storyteller’s Exhibition, RI Center For Photographic Arts
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AWARDS, RESIDENCIES AND GRANTS
2024
Garrett On The Green Residency, Clinton, NY
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2023
Eddie Adams Workshop Class of XXXVI
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Mother Art Prize Shortlist 2023
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2022
Top 200 Critical Mass Finalist 2022
Best Series, Non Professional Culture And Daily Life Category, 18th Pollux Awards
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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
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PRESS
2024
America's Social Safety Net: Women, The New Republic, September 2024
Anastasia Sierra and Carrie Usmar: Talking Motherhood, Lenscratch, July 2024
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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
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2022
Revisiting A Project, The Crit House, Jeff Larason
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The Curated Fridge: Carrie Usmar: Resume Of A Stay At Home Mom, Lenscratch September 2022
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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
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MEMBERSHIPS
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2024
Hera Gallery Associate Member
Rhode Island Center For Photographic Arts
Griffin Museum
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Updated 09/15/24