Crystal Foss sitting for a studio self-portait.

about

A photography specialist educator, curator, and archivist.

Crystal Foss pushes boundaries and redefines artistic expression by working from perspectives shaped by the diversity of chosen family. Formative experiences include being the curatorial assistant to Fotofestiwal Łódź in Poland where she discovered her heritage, becoming point person at Photographic Center Northwest, and a professor of photography.

while projects have spanned the US and Central Europe, she is located in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions.

Aided by extensive technical experiences as a photo industry consultant, she is foremost a socially conscious public speaker and academic, aiming to support dissemination of diversity in visual culture.​​​​

she’s also an Avid horticultural hobbyist and supporter of botanical gardens, eco-conscious endeavors and bio-diversity with a focus on native species and orchids.

A glass skull holding a Phalaenopsis violacea coerulea indigo orchid.

    • CT State, Norwich, CT
      2020 – Present
      Photography Faculty

    • Independent Consultant
      2016 – 2023
      Digital Imaging Specialist

    • Photographic Center Northwest, Seattle, WA
      2018 – 2020
      Administrative & Development Associate

    • ​Olympic College, Bremerton, WA
      2016 – 2017
      Photography Faculty

    • Fotofestiwal Łódź, Poland
      2015 – 2016
      Curatorial Assistant

    • Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
      2015 – 2016
      Photography Faculty

    • Roberts & Raizes Gallery, Cambridge, MA
      2015 – 2016
      Curatorial Assistant

    • Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, MA
      2015 – 2016
      Gallery Operator

    • Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
      2012 – 2013
      Admissions Assistant & Lab Technician

  • 2016 Travel Grant for Fotofestiwal Łódź US Embassy
    2016 Faculty Fellowship Lesley University
    2014–2016 MFA Grants Lesley University
    2014 Best of College Photography Finalist
    Photographers Forum & Nikon
    2012–2014 Dean’s Scholarships Memphis College of Art

  • Lesley University, MFA
    Integrated Media
    Photography & Critical Theory
    Cambridge, MA
    2016 (3.82)

    Memphis College of Art
    BFA, Photography
    Art History Minor
    Memphis, TN
    2014 (Cum Laude)

    CT State Three Rivers, AA: Visual Art
    Norwich, CT
    2011

  • 2020 “Yale Wayang”
    Matthew Cohen / Puppeteers of America / Yale

    2016 Pecha Kucha Lecture Series
    Lesley University

    2015 "Nan Goldin: The Artists Influence”
    ICA, Boston

    ​2015 “Arlene Shechet: The Artist Influence”
    ICA, Boston

    ​2015 “Sonic Arboretum” Reading Series
    ICA, Boston

    2014 Resident Artist Retrospective Lecture
    Memphis College of Art 

  • 2016 MFA Selection Committee Lesley University
    2014–2016 Dean’s Advisory Council Lesley University
    2010–2011 Student Government CT State Representative

  • 2024 Danielle Ezzo: If Not Here, Then Where?
    The Gallery at Three Rivers

    2023 Susan Langer: A Kaleidoscope of Ideas
    The Gallery at Three Rivers

    2022 Camilla Jerome: Wounds Need Air
    The Gallery at Three Rivers

    2020 Roy Tookes: Glitter
    The Gallery at Three Rivers

    2019 Innovation at the Intersection of Science, Technology and Photography
    Photographic Center Northwest

    2019 Communal Apposition: Works from within PCNW
    Atelier Drome

    2019 Historical Samoa
    Harvard Peabody Museum

    2017 The Feminist: Act II
    HiTone

    2016 Fotofestiwal Łódź Łódź, Poland

    2016 MCA Biennial Juror: Mark Scala
    Hyde Gallery

    2016 Borderlands
    Roberts Gallery

    2015 Thesis Exhibition
    Roberts Gallery

    2014 Graduates Now Juror: Sandra Jeknavorian
    The Gallery at Three Rivers

    2014 BFA Exhibition
    Memphis College of Art

  • 2024 Independent Museum Professionals
    2024 National Education Association HigherEd
    2020 The 4C’s SEIU
    2020 Society for Photographic Education (SPE)
    2016 Women in Photography