CV

CAROLYN J. RUSSO was born in Norwalk, Connecticut

EDUCATION

American University, Washington, D.C.: M.A. in Art History, 2020
Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, Massachusetts: B.F.A. in Photography, 1988

Supplemental Education

The School of the Museum of Fine Arts (Consortium Program), Boston, MA 1986–1988
Harvard University, Summer Session, Boston, MA 1986
Emerson College (Consortium Program) Boston, MA 1985
American Institute for Foreign Study, Florence, Italy 1985
Scuola Di Lingua e Cultura Italiana Per Stranieri, Siena, Italy 1985
Studio Arts Center International (SACI), Florence, Italy 1985
Richmond College, London, UK 1984
Heatherley School of Fine Arts, London, UK 1984
Franklin Pierce College, Rindge, NH 1983–1984

EMPLOYMENT

Museum Specialist, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. October 2009–Present
Content expert and curator for the art collection (2019–Present), curator of the trophy collection (2015–Present), temporary curator for the poster collection (2016–2017, 2019–Present), and assistant curator for the art collection (2006–2019). Published original research as books, articles, and blogs; curated Museum and traveling exhibitions for national and international audiences; presented research to the general public, academic audiences, and the media. Managed art, trophy, and poster collections with oversight of conservation treatments and condition reports; coordinated loans; and authored labels. Primary content expert for significant interior and exterior installations and de-installations of oversized (sculptures and murals) artworks. Acquired artifacts from influential artists, collectors, and donors at no cost to the Museum. Lead curator for the Transformation of the Flight and the Arts Center renovation and opening exhibitions, and curatorial team member as art curator on multiple galleries. Authored books, exhibit scripts, proposals for Museum projects and acquisitions, Scope Guidelines for the art gallery, and criteria for the art collection section of Collections Rationale. Supervised interns, volunteers, Katzenberger Art History Fellows, and served on the Smithsonian Artist in Residency Fellows (SARF) review committee and, more recently, as the Co-Chair of SARF.

Museum Specialist, Department of Collection and Research, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. April 2006–September 2009
Assistant curator for the art collection. Supported curator of the art collection with the maintenance of the art collection. Initiated and independently curated Museum exhibits; published original research; directed and managed national traveling exhibitions and international installations; acquired artworks; and presented research to national and international audiences. Supervised interns and volunteers.

Museum Photographer, Department of Collections and Research, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. November 1988–April 2006
Independently authored books and directed national traveling exhibitions using photography and oral interviews as primary research tools. Represented the Museum with traveling exhibitions, presentations, and media engagements. Supported the Museum with all aspects of museum photography, either assigned or independently directed, including the documentation of artifacts, archival materials, artworks, aircraft restoration, special events, VIP visits (including President George H. W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, Vice Presidents, Heads of State, Apollo astronauts and celebrities), staff portraits, guest portraits, public programs, construction of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, and documentation of museum galleries. Expert with Adobe Photoshop; cameras ranging from 35mm to 4×5 view cameras; and lighting equipment both in the studio and on location. Managed and processed analog and digital assets through black and white film processing, silver gelatin darkroom printing, and color digital scanning and printing. Cataloged film in central SI cold-storage facility and digital files in SI digital programs. Supervised interns and volunteers.

RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS

Russo, Carolyn. “Alfred Stieglitz’s Equivalents: Landscape in the Aviation Age.” M.A. Thesis, American University, 2020. (https://www.proquest.com/openview/8889de741a06a367b9744436c4b02a03/1.pdf?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y).

Russo, Carolyn. “Art of the Airport Tower,” The Royal Photographic Society Digit Magazine 88:1 (January 2021): 12–17.

Russo, Carolyn. “Redefining the Gaze: Shifting Power: Women Photographers/Photographing Women.” In Moves Like Walter: New Curators Open the Corcoran Legacy Collection, 76–78. Washington, D.C.: American University, 2019.

Russo, Carolyn. Review of Abandoned in Place–Preserving America’s Space History by Roland Miller. In Quest 23:3 (2016): 60–61.

Russo, Carolyn. “Defying Gravity.” In Escape Artist: The Art of Fran Forman, edited by Fran Forman, 100–101. Pennsylvania: Schiffler Publishing, 2014.

Russo, Carolyn. Art of the Airport Tower. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books, 2015. 176 pages hardcover.

Russo, Carolyn. In Plane View: Abstractions of Flight. New York: powerHouse Books, 2007. 143 pages hardcover.

Russo, Carolyn. Artifacts of Flight. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2003. 160 pages hardcover.

Russo, Carolyn. “A Day of Sorrow,” Air & Space Magazine, Oct/Nov 1996, 14–15.

Russo, Carolyn. Women and Flight: Portraits of Contemporary Pilots. Boston, New York, Toronto, London: Bulfinch Press, Little, Brown, and Company, 1997. 192 pages in paperback and hardcover.

BLOGS

“Eric Sloane: Am Artist in the Clouds.” September 2022. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
(https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/eric-sloane-artist-clouds).

“Faces of Our Planet.” August 2022. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. (https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/faces-our-planet).

“Hubert Jackson’s Tribute to Black Americans in Space.” February 2022. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. (https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/hubert-jackson-tribute-black-americans-space).

“Anne Noggle’s Photographs of World War II Women Pilots: Portraits of Perspective and Reflection.” March 2021. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. (https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/anne-noggle-photo-worldwar-women-pilots).

“The Science of Fred Eversley’s Art.” February 2021. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. (https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/science-frederick-eversleys-art).

“Body Art During WWII: From the Lyle Tuttle Tattoo Art Collection.” October 2020. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. (https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/body-art-world-war-2-tattoo).

“Beneath the Surface, Audrey Flack’s Photorealism.” August 2020. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. (https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/beneath-surface-audrey-flacks-photorealism).

“Alma Thomas, A Colorful Response.” June 2020. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. (https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/art-alma-w-thomas-colorful-response).

“Remembering WWII through Art.” May 2020. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Google Arts and Culture. (https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/remembering-world-war-ii-through-art).

“Support at Predawn: The NASA Art Program and James Dean.” June 2019. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. (https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/support-predawn-nasa-art-program-and-james-dean).

“Photographers On Photographers: Carolyn Russo On Isabel Corthier.” August 2018. Lenscratch Fine Art Photography Daily. (http://lenscratch.com/2018/08/photographers-on-photographers-carolyn-russo-on-isabel-corthier/).

“Remembering Astronaut and Artist Alan Bean.” May 2018. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. (https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/remembering-astronaut-and-artist-alan-bean).

“Photographing an Airport in Transition.” April 2018. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Magazine. (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/air-space-museum/2018/04/13/photographing-airport-transition/).

“Viewing A Solar Eclipse Safety through an Artist’s Eye.” August 2017. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. (https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/viewing-solar-eclipse-through-artists-eye).

EXHIBITIONS

Lead Curator, Flight and the Arts Center “White Box” National Mall Building, National Air and Space Museum, forthcoming in 2025.
Authored successful proposal submitted to the NASM Exhibits and Public Programs Initiatives Committee (EPPIC) in 2016 for the Transformation of the Flight and the Arts Center “White-Box” renovations. Lead curator and content expert for the vision and implementation of required equipment and treatments to support the renovated art gallery’s diverse and immersive art exhibits.

Lead Curator, The Art of Air and Space: Interpretations of Flight from the National Air and Space Museum’s ArtCollection, National Mall Building, National Air and Space Museum, for 2025 and under review.
Content expert for exhibition from the permanent art collection with works depicting flight dating from the mid-18^th century to the present day. Acquired significant artworks for the new exhibit, including paintings, prints, photographs, works on paper, and sculptures, at no cost to the Museum. Author of the forthcoming companion book to accompany the exhibition.

Lead Curator, The Ascent of Robert Rauschenberg, National Mall Building, National Air and Space Museum, proposed for 2025 and under review.
Primary content expert on American artist Robert Rauschenberg’s artwork concerning the theme of flight. Proposed collaborative exhibit with art and source materials from NASM, the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, and art museums. Awarded a Robert Rauschenberg Foundation Archives Residency grant in 2019 for primary research. Author of the forthcoming companion book to accompany the exhibition.

Lead Curator, Faces of Our Planet, National Mall Building, National Air and Space Museum, October 2022.
Served as lead curator for a photography exhibit conveying global interconnectedness to support a centralized area in the One World Connected gallery and directed nine internationally recognized photographers, including Albert Watson, Roger Ballen, Rania Matar, Susana Raab, Isabell Corthier, and Will Wilson, for assignments in Greece, Lebanon, South America, South Africa, Navajo Nation, and the United States. Managed all aspects of the project from conception to selecting photographers and directing assignments, curating final photographs, transcribing interviews, authoring exhibit script, and designing the layout for the Faces of Our Planet gallery installation.

Curator Team Member, One World Connected, National Mall Building, National Air and Space Museum, October 2022.
As a curatorial team member for the gallery, selected art, coordinated loans for art, authored art labels, advised on protective housing and security risks for the art, reviewed full gallery script and design packages, and proposed circular design of the gallery for the final gallery build-out.

Curator Team Member, We All Fly, National Mall Building, National Air and Space Museum, October 2022.
As a curatorial team member for the gallery, selected art, authored art labels, advised on protective housing and security risks for art, and reviewed full gallery script and design packages. Successfully proposed including the Weather Mural, 1976 by Eric Sloane in the gallery (a significant mural hidden behind museum walls since 1984) and an art display of Jeffrey Milstein’s photographs in the gallery entrance.

Lead Curator, 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Anniversary Digital Exhibition, Kennedy Performing Art Center, Washington, D.C., July 20, 2019.
Curated and executed a new digital exhibition from NASM’s art collection for the Kennedy Performing Art Center’s 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11. Selected images, researched copyrights, Photoshopped, and sequenced images, and captioned all artworks.

Lead Curator and artist, Art of the Airport Tower, National Mall Building, National Air and Space Museum, November 11, 2015 to November 2016; National Traveling Tour 2016–2019; International Tour with Flying Fish Exhibition Company 2019–Present.
Curated Art of the Airport Tower project featuring photographs of over 50 air traffic control towers using photography as a primary research tool. Worked with international air traffic control agencies, airport authorities, and governments worldwide to perform photography in 23 countries at airports in secure locations. Obtained risk insurance up to $20M for visits on active runways and tarmacs at major airports. Independently managed the project, including original photography; travel; processed and printed photographs; coordinated framing and designed layout; and authored and edited script. Produced traveling exhibition and published a companion book with Smithsonian Books. Custom-printed secondary “lighter” exhibits for permanent display at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Headquarters Building; Offices of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) and Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) in Washington, D.C.; and for temporary installations for air traffic control conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada; Washington, D.C.; and Madrid, Spain. Supported fundraising efforts with book advance royalty and independently pursued successful in-kind donations from Epson America, Inc. for exhibition prints and photography equipment from Manfrotto. Networked with air traffic control leaders for successful leads for project funding and assisted Advancement in securing $140K in corporate sponsorship. Prepared all materials to accompany the traveling exhibition, including Media Information package, Education package, Exhibition Installation package, Exhibition Requirements package, Condition Report notebook, and conducted all correspondence with each venue. Drafted and negotiated contracts with venues and worked with the Smithsonian Office of Contracts for final signatures. Collaborated with Smithsonian Affiliations Office to advertise the exhibit and drafted the agreement with Flying Fish Exhibition Company for an international tour. Tour venues: Frontiers of Flight, Dallas, TX (2019); City of Orlando Public Art, Orlando, FL; Aerospace Museum of California, McClellan, CA (2018); Alaska Aviation Museum, Anchorage, AK; Tellus Science Museum, Cartersville, GA; U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL (2017); College Park Museum of Aviation, College Park, MD; Helsinki Airport, Helsinki, Finland; University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA; CFS Conference, Las Vegas, NV (2016).

Lead Curator, The Great Picture, Udvar-Hazy Center, National Air and Space Museum, Chantilly, VA April 2013 to December 2014.
The Great Picture installation featured a giant camera obscura (pinhole camera) gelatin silver photographs at 31 ft. in height by 107 ft in length. The camera for the image was an abandoned F/A-18 fighter jet hangar (with a small opening for the pinhole in the hangar door) at the former Marine Corps Air Station El Tora, Irvine, CA. Managed the shipping, installation, de-installation, and authored script. Worked with artists of the project and the Smithsonian Office of Safety, Health, and Environmental Management (OSHEM) for fire code and rigging clearance.

Co-Curator, High Art: A Decade of Collecting, National Mall Building, National Air and Space Museum, July 26, 2013 to December 2014.
High Art: A Decade of Collecting presented 50 new artworks acquired by the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum from 2003 to 2013. Art covered a range of styles from realism, commercial advertisement, surrealism, and impressionism to abstraction. Proposed the concept to the senior art curator and authored over 50% of the script. Oversaw framing with Conservation and conceptualized design for layout.

Lead Curator, Searching for Goldilocks: Angela Palmer, National Mall Building, National Air and Space Museum, July 26, 2013 to December 2014.
Searching for Goldilocks was based on a sculpture created by artist Angela Palmer which consisted of 18 sheets of etched glass conveying the “Goldilocks” planets found by the Kepler Observatory. Authored script and secured funding for the installation and acquisition of art from the Smithsonian United Kingdom Charitable Trust Regents United Kingdom.

Guest Curator and contributing artist for Santaranta: Building Dreams, Embassy of Finland, Washington, D.C.: September 2012.
Curated 36 large-format photographs by Finnish photographers to showcase the organic architecture of Eric Lloyd Wright (son of famed Frank Lloyd Wright) for the residence of Finnish musician Simo Santapukki of the Finnish rock band Apulanta and served as both curator and photographer on the project. Exhibit appeared for Architecture Week at the Embassy of Finland in Washington, D.C. (September 2012) and traveled to FinnFest USA, Minneapolis, MN (August 2014) and the Finnish American Heritage Center at Finlandia University in Hancock, MI (March–September 2015). Secured funding from the Finlandia Foundation National.

Lead Curator, The Jet as Art, National Mall Building, National Air and Space Museum, November 25, 2011 to November 25, 2012.
Curated an installation of 33 super-sized photographs of commercial and general aviation aircraft and helicopters by photographer and pilot Jeffrey Milstein. Authored script and worked with the artist for design layout. Secured funding with a grant from the Smithsonian Women’s Committee.

Lead Curator, Alan Bean: Painting Apollo, First Artist on Another World, National Mall Building, National Air and Space Museum, July 16, 2009 to January 2010.
Curated over 40 paintings by Alan Bean, the fourth man to walk on the Moon during Apollo 12 in 1969. Managed the exhibition, coordinated loans and shipping with donors, conducted oral interviews and original photography, selected Museum artifacts, authored script, recommended criteria for security, oversaw framing, and introduced donor to NASM to secure funds for the exhibit. Facilitated organizing materials between artist and Smithsonian Books for the companion book and assisted with producing events, including book signings, a Special Event for the 40^th anniversary of Apollo, and the Flight Jacket Night Museum program.

Lead Curator and artist of In Plane View: Abstractions of Flight, National Mall Building, National Air and Space Museum, March 21, 2008 to January 2009. National Traveling tour from 2009–2012.
The exhibition featured 50 photographs of iconic aircraft from the National Air and Space Museum. Created exhibit using photography as a primary research tool. Coordinated all aspects of the project from the concept to original photography, printing, and design layout to traveling exhibition. Edited script based on the book published by powerhouse Books with essays by Anne Collins Goodyear and foreword by Patty Wagstaff. Independently pursued successful in-kind donations from Epson America, Inc. for exhibition printing and secured funds from the National Museum of the Marine Corps for framing. Prepared all materials to accompany the traveling exhibition, including Media Information package, Education package, Exhibition Installation package, Exhibition Requirements package, Condition Report notebook, and conducted all correspondence with each venue. Drafted and negotiated contracts with venues and worked with the Smithsonian Office of Contracts for final signatures. Worked with Smithsonian Affiliations Office to market the exhibit. Tour Venues: Ellen Noel Art Museum, Odessa, TX; Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art, Midland, MI (2012); Midland Center for the Arts, Midland, MI; Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, Peoria, IL; Challenger Space Center, Peoria, AZ; National Soaring Museum, Elmira, NY (2011); Helsinki Airport, Helsinki, Finland; Wichita Art Museum, Wichita, KS; College Park Aviation Museum, College Park, MD; National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, VA (2010); Frontiers of Flight Museum, Dallas, TX; Air Zoo, Kalamazoo, MI; Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, Hutchinson, KS (2009).

Secondary installations of In Plane View included displays at the John Wayne Airport, Santa Monica, CA (Oct. 2011–March 2012); Gateway Gallery at Dulles International Airport (IAD), Chantilly, VA. (Nov. 2011–April 2012) in cooperation with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Arts Program; International Photography Festival in Lishui, China (November 2011); and the Ambassador’s Residence at the U.S. Embassy Helsinki, Finland at the request of Ambassador Barbara Barrett (2008–2009).

Lead Curator and artist of Women and Flight: Portraits of Contemporary Women Pilots, National Mall Building, National Air and Space Museum, June 1997 to June 1998. National traveling tour from 1998–2004 with Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service. 

The exhibition features 75 photographs of 36 contemporary American women pilots and astronauts from the U.S., Germany, the Caribbean, and Star City astronaut training in Russia. Coordinated and performed all aspects of the project using photography and oral interviews as the primary research tools. Selected participants and coordinated visits; authored script with oral interviews as primary source material; prepared all analog photography with film development and darkroom printing; designed layout of the traveling exhibition. Received a book royalty advance of $25K to complete the project and published a companion book with Bulfinch Press in 1997. Secured a grant from the Smithsonian Women’s Committee for interview transcriptions, in-kind donation of photographic film and paper from Ilford Corporation, and $100K in funding from United Technologies for exhibition. Tour venues: Clark County Museum, Henderson, NV (2004); Fernbank Science Center, Atlanta, GA; Spartanburg County Public Library, Spartanburg, SC; Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hill, NC; William Howard Taft National Historic Site, Cincinnati, OH; Three Rivers Gallery, Poplar Bluff, MO; Rogers Historical Museum, Rogers, AR; Tunica Museum, Tunica, MS; Challenger Learning Center of Arizona, Peoria, AZ; Los Angeles County Fair Association, Pomona, CA; Warhawk Air Museum, Nampa, ID; Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum, Rantoul, IL (2003); Virginia Air and Space Center Hampton, VA; Miami-Dade Public Library System, Miami, FL; Strategic Air Museum, Ashland, NE (2001); Kirkpatrick Center Museum Complex, Oklahoma City, OK; Museum of Aviation, Warner Robins AFB, GA; National Atomic Museum, Albuquerque, NM; Palm Beach Photographic Center, Del Ray Beach, FL; Minnetrista Cultural Center, Muncie, IN (2000); Elmhurst Historical Museum, Elmhurst, IL; Wichita Center for the Arts, Wichita, KS; Owls Head Transportation Museum, Owls Head, ME; Virginia Museum of Transportation, Roanoke, VA; Wedell Williams Aviation Museum, Patterson, LA (1999); Purdue University Galleries, West Lafayette, IN; U.S. Air Force Museum, Wright Patterson, OH; Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA; Tullahoma Fine Arts Center, Tullahoma, TN; Stauth Memorial Museum, Montezuma, KS (1998); New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, CT; The Wings Club, Inc., New York, NY (1997).

PRESENTATIONS (Select)

“Moon Struck: Norman Rockwell Paints the Space Race,” Popular Culture Association/ American Culture PCA/ACA Conference on “Aerospace and Art: Visualizing the Vehicle Culture of Flight” panel. April 16, 2022.

“Photorealism Takes Off: The Stuart Speiser Photorealism Collection,” National Air and Space Museum Research Series, Washington, D.C., December 13, 2021.

“Rendering Space: Art of the Early Space Program from the National Air and Space Museum’s Art Collection,” Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C., December 7, 2021. Invited Speaker

“Curating the National Air and Space Museum’s Art Collection,” Utah State University, Logan, Utah., October 27, 2021. Invited Speaker

“Visualizing Aviation and Space at the National Air and Space Museum,” Jacobs Global Federal Architecture Series #24, Washington, D.C., September 9, 2021. Invited Speaker

“Art Across Museum Fields,” Co-presenter with Dr. Katy Barrett, Science Museum, London. Association of Art Museum Curators, New York, N.Y., July 8, 2021. Invited Speaker

“Eric Sloane: Clouds on Museum Walls,” Eric Sloane Museum, Kent, CT., April 24, 2021. Invited Speaker

“Alfred Stieglitz, Clouds, and Flight,” 36^th Annual Boston University Graduate National Symposium in History of Art and Architecture, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA., March 28, 2020. (Paper selected–canceled via Covid-19 pandemic)

“Alfred Stieglitz’s Equivalents: Landscape in the Aviation Age,” George Washington University/ American University Art History Symposium, Washington, D.C., October 5, 2019. Invited Speaker

“Presenting Art of the Airport Tower with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer,” Orlando City Hall, Terrace Public Art Gallery, Orlando, FL., March 4, 2019. Invited Speaker

“Photographing Airport Towers,” Aerospace Museum of California, McClellan, CA., (Multiple presentations) April 25–28, 2018. Invited Speaker

“The Convergence of Aviation Projects,” Alaska Aviation Museum, Anchorage AK., August 11, 2017. Invited Speaker

“The Making of Art of the Airport Tower,” Tellus Museum of Science, Cartersville, GA., July 14, 2017. Invited Speaker

“Picturing Flight through the Lens,” Smithsonian NES Artist in Residency in Skagaströnd, Iceland, October 2016.

“The Book Making Process,” Rajala Professional Photography, Helsinki, Finland, June 2016. Invited Speaker

“Airport Towers in Finland,” Helsinki–Vantaa Airport, Helsinki, Finland, June 29, 2016. Invited Speaker

“From Seed to Sky: Micro and Macro Perspectives in Photography,” Virginia Festival of the Book University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA., March 16, 2016. Invited Speaker

“The Book Making Process–From Concept to the Printed Page,” Enrichment Lecturer/ Smithsonian Collection by Smithsonian Journeys, Regent Seven Seas Cruise Navigator, Miami–Amazon, Brazil, At Sea December 15, 2015. Invited Speaker

“At a Glimpse: Insights into Contemporary Fine Art Photography,” Enrichment Lecturer/ Smithsonian Collection by Smithsonian Journeys, Regent Seven Seas Cruise Navigator, Miami–Amazon, Brazil, At Sea December 11, 2015. Invited Speaker

“Outside of the Camera: Making the Finished Photograph,” Enrichment Lecturer/ Smithsonian Collection by Smithsonian Journeys, Regent Seven Seas Cruise Navigator, Miami–Amazon, Brazil, At Sea December 9, 2015. Invited Speaker

“Artifacts: Telling the Story of Flight through the Lens,” Enrichment Lecturer/ Smithsonian Collection by Smithsonian Journeys, Regent Seven Seas Cruise Navigator, Miami–Amazon, Brazil, At Sea November 29, 2015. Invited Speaker

“The Camera as your Compass: Finding a Sense of Place,” Enrichment Lecturer/ Smithsonian Collection by Smithsonian Journeys, Regent Seven Seas Cruise Navigator, Miami–Amazon, Brazil, At Sea November 24, 2015. Invited Speaker

“Art of the Airport Tower: An Adventure to Airports Around the World,” Enrichment Lecturer/ Smithsonian Collection by Smithsonian Journeys, Regent Seven Seas Cruise Navigator, Miami–Amazon, Brazil, At Sea November 23, 2015. Invited Speaker

“Women and Flight, Portraits of Contemporary Women Pilots,” Enrichment Lecturer/ Smithsonian Collection by Smithsonian Journeys, Regent Seven Seas Cruise Navigator, Miami–Amazon, Brazil, At Sea November 20, 2015. Invited Speaker

“Photographing Flight,” Hasselblad-Bron Education Series Speaker, Montgomery College, Rockville, MD., March 26, 2013. Invited Speaker

“Photographing a National Collection: Artifact Stories through the Lens.” ARTEFACTS Conference 2012, Edinburgh, Scotland, October 7–9, 2012.

“In Plane View: Abstractions of Flight,” Ellen Noel Art Museum, Odessa, TX., October 29, 2012. Invited Speaker

“Earth, Sky, Soul,” Buchanan Partners Art Gallery, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas, VA., January 12, 2011. Invited Speaker

“In Plane View Opening Exhibit,” Helsinki–Vantaa Airport, Helsinki, Finland, October 4, 2010. Invited Speaker

“Women’s History Month and Women Pilots,” College Park Aviation Museum, College Park, MD., March 2010. Invited Speaker

“Exploring the History of Flight Through Her Camera,” International Society of Aviation Photographers, Las Vegas, NV., March 5, 2010. Invited Speaker

“In Plane View: Abstractions of Flight,” Air Zoo, Kalamazoo, MI., Kansas, May 7, 2009. Invited Speaker

“In Plane View: Abstractions of Flight,” Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, Hutchinson, KS., January 30, 2009. Invited Speaker

“A Journey to Space: Artifacts and Astronauts,” for Helsinki City Library Space Exhibit Opening: U.S. State Department Speaker’s Program-U.S. Embassy Helsinki, Helsinki City Library, Helsinki, Finland, October 5, 2009. Invited Speaker

“Picturing Flight: The Smithsonian in Finland,” U.S. State Department Speaker’s Program-U.S. Embassy Helsinki, Oulu University, Oulu, Finland, October 5, 2009. Invited Speaker

“Picturing Flight: The Smithsonian in Finland,” U.S. State Department Speaker’s Program-U.S. Embassy Helsinki, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland, October 1, 2009. Invited Speaker

“Picturing Flight: The Smithsonian in Finland,” U.S. State Department Speaker’s Program-U.S. Embassy Helsinki, Arts Academy at Turku University of Applied Science, Turku, Finland, September 30, 2009. Invited Speaker

“Picturing Flight: The Smithsonian in Finland,” U.S. State Department Speaker’s Program-U.S. Embassy Helsinki, Juhana Herttua High School, Turku, Finland, September 30, 2009. Invited Speaker

“Picturing Flight: The Smithsonian in Finland,” U.S. State Department Speaker’s Program-U.S. Embassy Helsinki, University of Joensuu, Joensuu, Finland, September 29, 2009. Invited Speaker

“In Plane View: The Smithsonian in Your Museum,” Smithsonian Affiliates Conference, Holiday Inn, Washington, D.C., 2008.

“Visions of Air and Space,” Mutual Concerns of Aviation and Space Conference, Washington, D.C., 2003.

“Women and Flight: Portraits of Contemporary Pilots: Public Lecture with Exhibit Opening,” Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hill, NC., 2003. Invited Speaker

“Women and Flight: Portraits of Contemporary Pilots: Public Lecture with Exhibit Opening,” Virginia Air and Space Center Hampton, VA., 2001. Invited Speaker

“Women and Flight: Portraits of Contemporary Pilots: Public Lecture with Exhibit Opening,” Museum of Aviation, Warner Robins AFB, GA., 2000. Invited Speaker

“Women and Flight: Portraits of Contemporary Pilots: Public Lecture with Exhibit Opening,” Museum of Transportation, Boston, MA., 2000. Invited Speaker

“Women and Flight: Portraits of Contemporary Pilots: Public Lecture with Exhibit Opening,” Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA., 1998. Invited Speaker

“Women and Flight: Portraits of Contemporary Pilots: Public Lecture with Exhibit Opening,” Stauth Memorial Museum, Montezuma, KS., 1998. Invited Speaker

“Women and Flight: Portraits of Contemporary Pilots,” New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, CT., 1997. Invited Speaker

“Women and Flight: Portraits of Contemporary Pilots,” AAM Mutual Concerns Conference, Washington, D.C., 1996.

MUSEUM AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Museum Services (Select)

Co-Chair of Smithsonian Artist Residency Fellowship (SARF), 2022–Present. Co-organizes SARF program including the organization advertisements, annual review cycle of artist proposals, artist notifications, and budget allocation.

Co-Host of Contemporary History Seminar, National Air and Space Museum, 2021–Present.

Co-hosts monthly academic seminar co-organized by the Department of Space History and the Aeronautics Department. Co-coordinated the selection of scholars, advertising, facilitating the live program, and honoraria distribution.

Reviewer on Smithsonian Artist Residency Fellowship (SARF) Review Committee, 2020 – Present. Represents the NASM unit on the committee to review and rate proposals each funding cycle.

U.S. Liaison for the Engagement Program for International Curators with Association of Art Museum Curators (AAMC), 2019–2022.

Received grant to serve as U.S. liaison to foster partnership with international art curator from the United Kingdom. Co-organizer for AAMC’s live public webinar “Reshaping Exhibitions in a Socially Distanced World,” September 16, 2020; Co-presented “Art Across Museum Fields” July 2021; Hosted U.K. art curator visit in Washington D.C. with tours of NASM art storage, local art museum visits, NAA awards dinner and ceremony, and presentation at Phillips Collection lecture, December 6–10, 2021.

NASM Intern Management Group, 2021.
Co-authored and edited Guidelines for NASM Intern Program and proposed improved advertising of internship program for underrepresented student communities.

Smithsonian Castle Initiative for pan-institution art initiatives 2019–2020.
Served on Terra Foundation initiative and contributed to “Women Shaping Photography at the Smithsonian Institution” for the “Working Women: The Smithsonian Institution as a Case Study” symposium, December 18, 2019.

Coordinator for NASM Trophy Award (2011, 2012, 2013) and Assistant Coordinator for Michael Collins Award (2021–Present).
Managed Museum award nomination process for the prestigious award given annually for Current and Lifetime Excellence in Aerospace. Coordinated communications and prepared all correspondence to the internal and external nominators, internal and external review committees, and NASM Director. Edited NASM Trophy Guidelines and address lists for nominators and external review committee. Prepared and delivered 100+ letters to outside nominators; managed ballots for the internal and external review process; and provided all award notification correspondence for Director. Served as assistant to the current Michael Collins Trophy Coordinator with the same duties stated above.

Founder of Smithsonian Photography Forum 2013–1017.
Founded the Smithsonian Photography Forum for photography curators to convene and discuss internal and external collaborations, acquisitions and collections, and photography exhibitions with FOTOWEEK DC. Successfully established an official partnership between the Smithsonian and FOTOWEEK DC with approval of Smithsonian Castle leadership and Central Public Affairs Office. Coordinated exhibit information from all SI Unit photography curators to advertise exhibits through FOTOWEEK DC at no cost to the SI.

Supervisor of Interns, Volunteers, and Katzenberger Art History Fellows 1993–Present. Supervised and mentored interns and volunteers with research opportunities for books and exhibitions; artifact management; and graphic design and photography assistance in support of projects. Maintained contact with many interns and provided mentorship throughout their careers.

Collaborator with Smithsonian Enterprises (SE) 1993–Present.
Independently proposed concepts for successful product development to support Art of the Airport Tower, In Plane View, and Women and Flight exhibits. Oversaw design and approval of products including retailed calendars, travel cups, ceramic mugs, magnets, book bags, T-shirts, posters, and postcards. Managed quality control for the sale of In Plane View custom art prints through the Museum Stores kiosk and the New York Times Store. Supported annual calendar series with selections of images from the Poster Collection and coordinated book signings for self-authored Museum books and external authors including Alan Bean, Jeffrey Milstein, and Corrine VanMeter.

Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (D.E.A.I.), 1992–Present.
Initiated D.E.A.I. in NASM projects, exhibitions, and collections with the representation of underrepresented communities. Acquired life-size bronze Tuskegee Airmen statues for World War II in the Air gallery and artworks for the art collection at no cost to NASM. Pursued and completed graduate courses at American University for training on outreach initiatives in museum programming leading to an authored white paper outreach initiative for the Flight and the Arts Center with communities in Washington D.C. Independently demonstrated diversity and inclusion with written book and exhibit project Women and Flight: Portraits of Contemporary Women Pilots. The project celebrates and recognizes women in the fields of aviation and aerospace and includes:

The first American woman combat pilot.
The first American woman astronaut to live aboard the space station Mir.
The first Black woman captain of a major airline.
The first woman National Aerobatic champion.
The project presents women of all ages and backgrounds representing Asian American, Black American, Native American Indian, and Latinx American communities.

Public Programs (Select)

Juror/Judge for Art Exhibitions and Art Contests (Select)

Juror for National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) and Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Aviation Art Youth International Contest (2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2012); Juror for Academy of Fine Arts National Photography Exhibition, Lynchburg, VA (2017); Juror for Exposed Exhibition D.C., Washington, D.C. (2016); Sole judge for annual MayFaire-by-the-Lake Art Festival at the Polk Art Museum (distributed $17K in cash prizes), Lakeland, Florida (May 9–11, 2014); Portfolio Reviewer: FOTODC, Goethe Institute, Washington, D.C. (Nov. 3, 2013); Juror for FotoDC Cherry Blossom Photography Contest, (May 2013).

FOTOWEEK DC Moonshine Program at the National Air and Space Museum, November 2016. Independently initiated and successfully proposed after-hours museum public program during FotoWeek DC featuring Art of the Airport Tower exhibition. Invited professional photographer guests for photography workshops at no cost to NASM. Presented two lectures and tours of the Art of the Airport Tower exhibit, and was the featured author for book signing event.

Inside and Outside of the Tower, Lockheed Martin IMAX Theatre, National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C. October 20, 2016.
Independently initiated and successfully proposed a public program on Air Traffic Control. Invited speakers, authored program logistics and panel questions for moderator, and coordinated the event with Public Programs and Special Events. The panel included moderator Jane Garvey, former FAA Administrator; and panelists Paul Rinaldi, President of National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA); Pete Dumont, President of Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA); and Steve Wakeman, Division Vice President, and Global Design Principal at Jacobs Architecture. The evening included a seated dinner in the Art of the Airport Tower exhibition gallery. Presented remarks at the beginning of the program, signed books and prepared all letters for Director’s signature to the invited panel.

Smithsonian Enrichment Lecturer for Smithsonian Journey’s onboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises Navigator Miami, Florida to Amazon River, Brazil for 26-day tour November 22 to December 17, 2015.
Represented the Smithsonian for a 26-day cruise as dedicated Enrichment Lecturer. Prepared and presented a series of themed lectures at sea in addition to workshops during land excursions. (Lectures noted under Presentations section of CV)

The United States State Department Speakers Program, September 28–October 6, 2009.
Invited for a country-wide tour of presentations on authored books and exhibits sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki. Lectured at Helsinki City Library, Helsinki; Oulu University, Oulu; University of Tampere, Tampere; Arts Academy at Turku University of Applied Science, Turku; Juhana Herttua High School, Turku; and University of Joensuu, Joensuu. Obtained permission and photographed Finnish airport towers in conjunction with the speaking schedule for Art of the Airport project at no cost to NASM. (Lectures noted under Presentations section of CV)

Interviews and Media (Select)

Dimitris Karaiskos, “Flight from Elliniko to Washington,” Kathimerini, Greece, September 11, 2022. (https://www.kathimerini.gr/culture/562037848/ptisi-apo-elliniko-gia-oyasigkton/?fbclid=IwAR3z7LhIXBmlkcuOa7v2SF6bpOXXDCMuZxNX1b1oAzNnLVL1HdHDlIZFaZg).

Kelly Crow, “Jeff Koons Wants to Land a Sculpture on the Moon,” Wall Street Journal, April 8, 2022. (https://www.wsj.com/articles/jeff-koons-wants-to-land-a-sculpture-on-the-moon-11649432044).

Robert Brodsky, “A Portrait of Long Island’s Captain: William Piechota Lands in the Smithsonian Collection,” Newsday, January 24, 2022.

Abel Tilahun, “Imagine the Cosmos,” Dissertation Documentary Film University of the Arts, Philadelphia, November 1, 2021.

Judy Meschel, “WETA Arts celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landing with Space-Related Stories!” WETA Arts, July 7, 2019, (https://watch.weta.org/show/weta-arts/).

Rachel Jagareski, “Art of The Airport Tower,” Foreword Reviews, Winter 2016, (https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/art-of-the-airport-tower/).

Alexandra Wolfe, “Art of the Airport Tower,” Wall Street Journal, February 9, 2018, (https://www.wsj.com/articles/art-of-the-airport-tower-1518197999).

“The World’s Most Beautiful Control Towers,” The Telegraph, June 9, 2017, (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/12030765/The-worlds-most-beautiful-airport-control-towers.html).

Mangai Balasegaram, “Towering Tales,” The Star Malaysia, June 5, 2016, (http://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/the-star-malaysia star2/20160605/281586649858962).

Barry Neild, “Airport Towers as Art: Photographer Captures a Stark Beauty,” CNN News, March 16, 2017, (https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/airport-control-towers-carolyn-russo/index.html).

BBC News, “Art Of the Airport Tower,” Interview with Carolyn Russo, December 22, 2015,(http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35162913).

Susan Stamberg, “Prepare For Takeoff: Smithsonian Celebrates The Art Of The Airport Tower,” Interview with Carolyn Russo, National Public Radio, December 21, 2015, (https://www.npr.org/2015/12/21/459218914/prepare-for-takeoff-smithsonian-celebrates-the-art-of-the-airport-tower).

Claire Voon, “The Elegant Architecture of Airport Control Towers, ” Hyperallergic,December 18, 2015, (http://hyperallergic.com/257310/the-elegant-architecture-of-airport-control-towers/).

Stephanie Valera, “Photos Capture the Beauty of Airport Towers,” The Weather Channel, December 7, 2015, (http://www.weather.com/travel/news/art-airport-tower).

Jad Mouawad, “The Airport Tower as Art,” The New York Times, December 7, 2015, (https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/07/travel/smithsonian-photography-airlines.html).

Roger Catlin, “Art of the Airport Tower’ at National Air and Space Museum,” Washington Post, December 4, 2015, (https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/art-of-the-airport-tower-at-national-air-and-space-museum/2015/12/03/865e7510-9843-11e5-b499-76cbec161973_story.html).

Louis Jacobson, “At the Air & Space Museum, An Unexpectedly Soaring Look at Airport-Tower Architecture,” Washington City Paper, December 1, 2015, (http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/visual-arts/2015/12/01/at-the-air-space-museum-an-unexpectedly-soaring-look-at-airport-tower-architecture/).

Naomi Shavin, “Appreciating the Art and Architecture of the World’s Airport Towers,” Smithsonian Magazine, November 15, 2015, (http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/appreciating-art-and-architecture-worlds-airport-towers-180957196/?no-ist).

Paul Beauchamp, “Art of the Airport Tower,” NATS, November 12, 2015, (http://nats.aero/blog/2015/11/art-of-the-airport-tower/).

Chris Kitchin, “They’re not all eyesores! The most striking air traffic control towers in the world featured in new photo exhibit,” Daily Mail, November 11, 2015, (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3313812/They-not-eyesores-striking-air-traffic-control-towers-world-featured-new-photo-exhibit.html).

Alanna Martinez, “Unlikely Art: Pictures of the World’s Most Beautiful Airport Towers,”Observer, November 10, 2015,(http://observer.com/2015/11/the-subtle-ways-airport-towers-reveal-a-regions-history/).

Harriet Baskas, “Silent Sentinels of the Tarmac: Art of the Airport Control Tower,” NBC News, November 9, 2015, (http://www.nbcnews.com/business/travel/silent-sentinels-tarmac-art-airport-control-tower-n458976).

Laura Mallone, “The Overlooked Curiosity That Is the Air Traffic Tower,” Wired, November 5, 2015, (https://www.wired.com/2015/10/overlooked-curiosity-air-traffic-tower/).

Nick Mafi, “A New Book Showcases the Stunning Evolution and Art of Airport Towers Around the Globe,” Architectural Digest, October 10, 2015, (http://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/airport-towers-book-russo/all).

“El Arte de las Torres de Control aterriza en el Smithsonian” Complot Magazine, October 7, 2015, (http://complotmagazine.com/el-arte-de-las-torres-de-control-la-belleza-de-lo-funcional/).

Anika Burgess, “These Photos Will Change How You Look At Airport Towers,” Atlas Obscura, September, 18, 2015, (http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/these-photos-will-change-how-you-look-at-airport-towers).

Kira Turnball, “New Photo Exhibits That Will Make You Want to Buy a Plane Ticket,” Travel and Leisure, August 26, 2015, (http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/travel-photography-exhibits).

Colleen Connolly, “Ten Years of Flying High with Air and Space Art,” Smithsonian Magazine, July 13, 2013, (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/ten-years-of-flying-high-with-air-and-space-art-17102981/).

Aline Smithson, “Photolucida: Carolyn Russo: The Art Of The Airport Tower,” Lenscratch, June 11, 2013, (http://lenscratch.com/2013/06/photolucida-carolyn-russo-art-of/).

“The Best of Bean: A collection of otherworldly paintings goes on display at the National Air and Space Museum.” Air and Space Magazine, July 14, 2009, (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/the-best-of-bean-31626235/).

Jesse Rhodes, “Its Plane to See,” Smithsonian Magazine, March 28, 2008, (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/its-plane-to-see-24914149/).

Tia Nichole Albright, “Connecticut Native Makes Her Photographs Soar,” The New Britain Herald, November 7, 2006, (https://www.bu.edu/washington/2006/11/07/connecticut-native-makes-her-photographs-soar/).

“The Dept. of Etc.: Small artifacts that are the garnish of most museum exhibits make a satisfying main course in a new National Air and Space Museum book,” Air and Space Magazine, November 2003, (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/the-dept-of-etc-3543155/).

 
Women and Flight Interviews and Media: Media Digest clippings for “Women and Flight: Portraits of Contemporary Pilots” from the National Air and Space Museum Public Affairs June 14–August 15, 1997, compiled by Public Affairs Officer Amy Dyson, September 1, 1997. Total clippings of 115 articles, 28 states represented (plus Puerto Rico and Canada). The combined circulation of attached clips was over 18,000,000 readers.

(Select Media for Women and Flight book and exhibition)

Susan Page, “Women and Flight Interview with Carolyn Russo,” Diane Rhem Show: National Public Radio, August 9, 1997, WAMU 88.5 Washington, D.C.

Susan Stamberg, “Women and Flight Interview with Carolyn Russo” Morning Edition: National Public Radio, June 13, 1997, Washington, D.C.

Stu Rushfield, “Women and Flight Interview with Carolyn Russo,” CBS Radio, Washington, D.C. June 13, 1997, Washington, D.C.

Steve Goldstein, “Exhibit Showcases Women on the Fly,” Chicago Tribune, August 3, 1997.

Julie Hirschfeld, “Women and Flight, ” Dallas Morning News, July 9, 1997.

Michael Remez, “Despite turbulence, book on female pilot takes flight,” Hartford Courant, June 23, 1997.

Steve Goldstein, “A look at women and their feats as pilots,” Philadelphia Inquirer, June 17, 1997.

John Bacon, “Pioneer flying women share spotlight,” USA Today, June 13, 1997.

Carol Rosenberg, “3 Floridians make Women and Flight exhibit,” Miami Herald, June 13, 1997.

Randy Schmid, “Pioneer Flying Women Gather, Associated Press, June 11, 1997.

Penny Pegano, “Photographer focuses on women pilots in book and exhibition,” Smithsonian Research Reports, June 1997, P. 1.

“The Birds,” Boston Globe, April 20, 1997.

Glenn McNatt, “Women Fly High in Exhibit as in life,” Baltimore Sun, April 6, 1997.

Awards/Honors

2020 – Merit Scholarship, American University, Washington, D.C.
2019 – Association of Art Museum Curators U.S. Liaison Engagement Program for International Curators Grant
2019 – Merit Scholarship, American University, Washington, D.C.
2019 – Rauschenberg Foundation Archives Research Residency Grant, New York, N.Y.
2018 – Merit Scholarship, American University, Washington, D.C.
2017 – Fine Art Photography Nominee Award, London, U.K. for Art of the Airport Tower
2017 – 10th Pollux Photography Award Finalist for Art of the Airport Tower
2017 – One Eyeland Photography Award (Bronze) for Art of the Airport Tower
2016 – SAAB Recognition Award (Presented by SAAB in Madrid, Spain)
2016 – 9th Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers   (Winner of Architecture and Bridges Series category) for Art of the Airport Tower
2016 – Tokyo International Photography Award (Silver) for Art of the Airport Tower
2016 – American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Publications Design Competition/Second Place for Art of the Airport Tower
2016 – NES Artist in Residency, Skagaströnd, Iceland
2016 – Athens Photo Festival Book Exhibition, Benaki Museum, Athens Greece for Art of the Airport Tower
2014 – Finlandia Foundation National Grant for Santaranta: Building Dreams Exhibit
2012 – Finlandia Foundation National Grant for Santaranta: Building Dreams Exhibit
2011 – Invited participant at the International Photography Festival, Lishui, China for In Plane View
2011 – Smithsonian Women’s Committee Grant for Jet as Art Exhibit
2009 – Invited participant State Department Speakers Program U.S. Embassy in Helsinki, Finland
2008 – American Association of Museums (AAM) Publications Design Competition/Second Place for In Plane View: Abstractions of Flight
2004 – American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) 50 Books/50 Covers Award for Artifacts of Flight
2004 – American Association of Museums (AAM) Publications Design Competition/Honorable Mention for Artifacts of Flight
1995 – Smithsonian Women’s Committee Grant for transcription of Women and Flight: Portraits of Contemporary Women Pilots oral interviews

Associations/Activities
College Art Association (CAA)
Co-Chair, Smithsonian Artist in Residence Fellowship (SARF)
Smithsonian Contemporary Art Forum
Aero Club of Washington, D.C.
Popular Culture Association/ American Culture PCA/ACA
Selection Committee for Smithsonian Artist in Residence Fellowship (SARF)