Education
2013: Lesley University, Ph.D. in Expressive Therapies: Dissertation: Art as a Catalyst for Resilience: Women Artists With
Life-Threatening Illness
2002-2007: IPTAR: Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research: Certificate in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Two Case Studies
2004: International Trauma Studies Program: New York University, NYC
2002: New York University Master of Arts: Art Therapy, after completed ATR-BC, worked in the psychiatric unit for children and adolescents at
Metropolitan Hospital and JBH Montague treatment center for girls. Thesis: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Sarah: A Case Study
1973: American University, Master of Fine Arts: Painting. Thesis: Pictorial Equivalent for Expressive Structure. Washington, D.C.
1972: Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Skowhegan, ME
1975-77: Corcoran School of Art, Washington, D.C.
1968-70: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
1968: Mary Baldwin College, BA in Psychology, Staunton, VA
1968: Gibbes Gallery School, Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston, SC
Professional Experience
Art Psychotherapist and Artist: PhD, LCAT: Licensed Creative Art Therapist in the State of New York, ATR-BC, MFA
Psychotherapist in Private Practice, specializing in Child and Adolescent
Psychotherapy, Art Therapy, and Sandplay Therapy in New York City. Researcher on creativity in relation to promoting health, focus on women artists
Patient Navigator Training for Cancer Patients, The Smith Center, D.C.
Additional information: 2015: Interview: Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sensoria/201512/interview-susan-firestone
2008-2005: Art Therapist: Red Cross 9/11 School Recovery Program in Tribeca, NYC
Individual and group art therapy with students, PS/IS 89. staff and parent counseling and workshops.
2005-2007: Manhattan Youth After School Art Program at PS/IS 89, PS150, and PS234, NYC
2003-2005: Project Liberty, FEMA grant, Community Outreach in lower Manhattan after September 11th, crisis counseling training. Hired full time by Gouverneur Hospital and worked with mentally ill adults and MS56 in their school-based clinic with students affected by recent and past trauma. Outreach in the community to artists and the business community.
2004: 92nd Street Y: Trauma work with families after 9/11, “Art For Heart”, Mayor Bloomberg’s office.
Invitational Art Projects and Teaching Positions
2020: Dimension4 & Bharath Hospital & Institute of Oncology (HCG). with Swasti Gallery in Mysore and Bangalore, India
2019: Alchemical Vessel Project for Inova Schar Cancer Center, Permanent Installation, Fairfax, VA
2018: Dimension 4: 10th International Cultural Exchange and Residency with Birla Balika Vidyapeeth Pilani, Rajasthan
2017: Jaipur Kala Chaupal Collaborative Residency for International and Indian artists: Exposition Jawahara Kala Kendra, Jaipur, Ragasthan
2014- 2016: Adjunct Professor, Lesley University: Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences: Expressive Therapies, Cambridge, MA
2009: Collaborative Artists Project, American Bulgarian Exchange, Zadar City, Croatia.
2008: Visiting Artist, Spring Island Trust, Okatie, SC
2000-2008: Adjunct Professor in Drawing and Painting: The Corcoran College of Art and Design, Washington, D.C. Supervised unique art projects. Organize and plan NY gallery and studio visits with artists and in galleries and museums.
2002-2004: Adjunct Professor of Studio Art: George Mason University, Va.
1994: USIA Morocco: Cultural Research Exchange: Paper and Book making.
1992: Pyramid Atlantic: Artist in Residency and Grant Program: Printmaking, book making and paper making.
1989: University of Georgia Abroad: Artist in Residence, Cortona, Italy
1971-72: National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC: Ford Foundation Grant in Museum Management
Professional Associations
Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research
The American Art Therapy Association
ARTTable, Inc.
Skowhegan Alumni Association, Skowhegan: Trustee
The Visual Art Library, Board Member
Who’s Who in American Art
Who’s Who in American Women’s Art
Solo Art Exhibitions
2016: Joyce Kozloff Studio: “Changing Seasons: Then and Now”, New York, NY
https://www.flickr.com/gp/136752898@N03/i66B4j
2015: Harris Place Atrium Gallery: “Changing Seasons”, New London, CT
2006: Mary Baldwin College, The Hunt Gallery, “Psychic Spaces”, Staunton, VA
2003: PMW Gallery: “Psychic Spaces”, Stamford, CT
1995: Gallery K, “Psychic Spaces”, Washington, D.C.
1993: Harmony Hall Center, “Make…Believe”, Assembled Images, MD
1992: National Institute of Health: “Painting”, Bethesda, MD
1991: Gallery K, “Rites of Passage”, Washington, D.C.
Arnold and Porter Law Firm, “Computer Prints/Screen Prints”, Washington, D.C.
1988: Peat Marwick, “Inaugural Show”, Washington, D.C.
Studio Invitational: 59 Wooster St., sponsored by Charles Cowles, NY
1985: Covington and Burling, “Large Paintings”, Washington, D.C.
1983: Gallery K, “Paintings” Washington, D.C.
1981: The Corcoran School of Art, “Collage and Paper”
Selected Exhibitions
2020: The Catherine Fosnot Art Gallery and Center, “Art for Your Collection” , New London, CT
2020: Dimension4 & Bharath Hospital & Institute of Oncology (HCG). Exhibition Swasti Gallery, Mysore and Bangalore, India
2018: Dimensions 4: International Art Cultural Exchange with Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, Pilani, Rajasthan :Teaching and exhibition New Delhi
2017: Exposition Jawahara Kala Kendra, Jaipur, Ragasthan, India
2015-2017: Atrium at Harris Place, New London, CT
2015: The Hispanic Alliance of Southeastern Connecticut, New London, CT
2009: Lesley University Gallery: “Expressive Arts” and IEATA International Conference, Cambridge, MA
“Life Crossings”: Bulgarian Artists and American Artists Abroad, Zadar City: Opening of the glass Museum and Zagreb City , Croatia
2008: VisArts Gallery: “Stepping Stones”, Rockville, MD
2007: IPTAR, “From the Analyst’s Consulting Room to the Analyst’s Art Studio, NYC
Cynthia Broan Gallery: “What F Word?”, NYC
2006: Pyramid Atlantic, “Dangling.” Silver Spring, MD
American University, The Cr. Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen Arts Center, From the Collections of Mark Moyens and Komei Wachi, Gallery K, Washington, D.C.
2005: Arlington Memorial Cemetery: “Faces of the Fallen”, Washington, D.C.
Pyramid Atlantic: “25th Anniversary Show”, Silver Spring, MD
2004: Health and Hospital Corp.: Group Show from HHC Hospitals in New York.
2003: Hartley House Studio Gallery “Visual Expressions”, NY
2002: The Ogden Museum of Art, New Orleans: Opening Show and Permanent Collection
Masters and Graduate Show, Barney Bld., New York University
Corcoran Museum of Art: “Going Beyond…An Odyssey”
2001: Anderson Consulting, “Dare/Neon”, Reston, Virginia: Permanent Collection Pyramid Atlantic
Hibaya Green Salon, “Where Is Green”, Recycled Art Exhibition, Hibaya Park, Tokyo
2001: The Work of Pyramid Atlantic”, MD
The Art Gallery at University of Maryland, “Crosscurrents", Pyramid Atlantic, “Building Sites and Spaces”, MD
1999: Art in General: Artists’ Studio Benefit Tour, NYC
1998: The Federal Reserve Board, “Pyramid Atlantic: A Study in Collaboration”, Washington, D.C.
First Annual Sculpture Invitational for the Washington Home’s 110th Anniversary, “Transformation”, Washington, D.C.
1997: The Sulgrave: “The Arts Show”, Washington, D.C.
Pyramid Atlantic Workshop at Baltimore Museum of Art, Contemporary Print Fair, Pyramid Atlantic: Riverdale, MD
McLean Project for the Arts: Emerson Gallery, “Parts of the Body”, McLean, VA
Art on the 7th Floor Art Fair: Washington Design Center, Washington, D.C.
1996: Rockville Arts Place: “In Pursuit of Excellence”, second prize, Rockville, MD
The French Embassy and Addison Ripley Gallery: “The 75th Anniversary of the Phillips Collection”, Washington, D.C.
Pyramid Atlantic: “Art, Music, and Food for the Soul”, Washington, D.C.
1995: Gallery K: Solo Show: “Psychic Spaces”, Washington, D.C.
Institute of Contemporary Art: “Elvis + Marilyn: 2 x Immortal”, Boston, MA (Show tours United States and then travels to Japan)
Centro Columbo Americano: Collaboration with Helen Frederick,
“Foremost Sympathco”, Medellin, Columbia, South America
1994: Addison Ripley Gallery: “Evolution of the Print: Pyramid Atlantic, 14 years of Collaboration, Washington, D.C.
Gallery Ten: “Paperworks”, Illinois
Washington Project for the Arts: 15th Annual Auction, Washington, D.C.
Willow Street Gallery: “Prints, Photographs and Drawings”, MD
Art Association of Harrisburg: 6th Annual Juried Exhibition, PA
National Museum of Women in the Arts: “Book as Art VI”, Washington, D.C.
Third Corcoran Alumni Exhibition: Washington, D.C.
San Diego Art Institute: “The Prints and the Paper”, 4th Annual International Juried Print Exhibition, CA
The Print Club of Albany: “The Artist Members’ Spring Exhibition”, NY
Gallery Ten: “The Cutting Edge: Twenty Years at Gallery Ten”, Washington, D.C.
Gallery One: “The Return of the Cadavre Exquis”, Washington, D.C.
Gallery K: “Summer Show”, Washington, D.C.
National Women’s Month Art Exhibition: “Woman”, Washington, D.C.
Ashley Hall School: “Women in Leadership”, Speaker/Show, SC
Texas Fine Arts Association: “Drawing into the 90’s”, Houston, TX (traveling)
Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts: “Images 1994”, Hub Galleries, PA
Touchstone Gallery: “Small Works Exhibition”, Washington, D.C.
1993: Drawing Center: “The Return of the Cadavre Exquis”, NY
Harmony Hall Center: Solo Show: “Make...Believe”, Assembled Images, MD
Pyramid Atlantic Center: “Collaborations on Paper”, MD
College of Notre Dame: “Sixth National Drawing and Printing Exhibition”, MD
Minor Art Gallery: “Sixteenth Annual exhibition”, ND
Abraham Baldwin College: “National Family Show”, GA
Art Works Gallery: “1993 Works on Paper”, WI
Fairfax County Council of the Arts: “Open Exhibition 1993”, VA
Pennsylvania State University: “Images 93”, PA
Texas Fine Arts Association: “Drawing into the 90s”, TX
University of Toledo, Center for Visual Arts: “National Juried Photographic Exhibition”, OH
Gallery K: “Gallery Artist Exhibition”, Washington, D.C.
Washington Project for the Arts: 14th Annual Auction, Washington, D.C.
1992: The Corcoran Gallery of Art, The Hemicycle: “Prints Washington 92”, Washington, D.C.
National Institute of Health: “Painting”, MD
Diane Farris Gallery: “Collage”, Canada
Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, National Arts Club: “96th Annual Exhibition”, NY
The Marine Midland Bank: “Spare Parts”, NY
Pennsylvania Academy Fellowship 1992:“96th Annual Phillip and Muriel Berman Museum Exhibition”, PA
The Print Club: 17th National Open Competition Exhibition, NY
The City of Rockville, Cultural Arts Commission: “Sculpture on the Grounds” MD
Gallery K: “Gallery Artist Exhibition”, Washington, D.C.
Washington Project for the Arts: 13th Annual Auction, Washington, D.C.
1991: Gallery K: Solo Show: “Rites of Passage”, Washington, D.C.
Arnold and Porter: Solo Show: “Computer Prints-Screen Prints”, Washington, D.C.
Rockville Art Place: “Artists Use Computers”, “Above Freezing”, MD
Brody’s Art Gallery and Gallery K: “Collaboration: Prints as Process”, D.C.
Touchstone Gallery: “Artists Equity Awards Exhibition”, Washington, D.C.
AMFAR Catalogue: “Art Against Aids”, Washington, D.C.
Gallery K: “Gallery Artist Exhibition”, Washington, D.C.
Washington Project for the Arts: 12th Annual Auction, Washington, D.C.
1990: University of Georgia: “Artists Abroad”, Athens, Georgia and Cortona, Italy
Montgomery College: “Sculpture Invitational”, MD
Gallery K: “Gallery Artist Exhibition”, Washington, D.C.
Washington Project for the Arts: 11th Annual Auction, Washington, D.C.
1989: Washington Project for the Arts: “From the Potomac to the Anacostia”, D.C.
The Fellowship of the Pennsylvania Academy of FineArts:“92nd Annual Exhibition” PA
McLean Project for the Arts: Opening of Tysons II, “Salute to the Arts”, VA
Collection of John W. Hechinger, National Building Museum: “Tools as Art”, D.C.
Washington Square: First Prize Winner, “Sculpture 89”, Washington, D.C.
University of Georgia, faculty Exhibition: “Artists in Residence”, Italy
Gallery K: “Gallery Artist Exhibition”, Washington, D.C.
Washington Project for the Arts: 10th Annual Auction, Washington, D.C.
1988: The Phillips Collection: “Prints Washington”, Washington, D.C.
Peat Marwick: Solo Show: “Inaugural Show”, Washington, D.C.
Studio Invitational: Solo Show: 59 Wooster St., sponsored by Charles Cowles, NY
Tempe Arts Center: “Neon II: It’s a Gas”, AZ
Maryland College of Arts and Design: “Collage”, MD
Muscarelle Museum: William and Mary College, “American Drawing Biennial” VA
Arlington Art Center: “Multi-Media Exhibition”, VA
Havana, Cuba, organized by Osuna Gallery: “Washington Women Artists”, D.C.
United States Department of State, The Embassy Residences, Nigeria
Iceland and Nepal, “Arts and Embassy Programs”, Washington, D.C.
The Washington Post: “The Lab School Portfolio”, Washington, D.C.
Gallery K: “Gallery Artist Exhibition”, Washington, D.C.
Washington Project for the Arts: 9th Annual Auction, Washington, D.C.
1987: University Gallery: “Twenty-third University of Delaware Biennial”, DE
The American Chemical Society: “Art and Science”, Washington, D.C.
Gallery K: “Gallery Artist Exhibition”, Washington, D.C.
Washington Project for the Arts: 9th Annual Auction, Washington, D.C.
1986: Maryland Institute College of Art, Decker Gallery: “Aspects of Light Artscape” MD
Brandeis University: “Washington Area Exhibition”, Washington, DC
Gallery K: “Gallery Artist Exhibition”, Washington, DC
1985: Covington and Burling: Solo Show: “Large Works on Canvas”, Washington, DC
Dimmock Gallery, George Washington University: “Tradition Innovation”, D.C.
Second Street Gallery and Arlington Art Center: “National Exhibition of Works on Paper”
Art Today Gallery: “85 National Exhibition”, IL
Gallery K: “Gallery Artist Exhibition”, Washington, D.C.
1984: Brandeis University: “Washington Area Exhibition”, Washington, D.C.
Mary Baldwin College: “Exhibition for Permanent Collection”, VA
Gallery K: “Gallery Artist Exhibition”, Washington, D.C.
1983: Gallery K: Solo show: “Paintings”, Washington, D.C.
Zaner Gallery: “Small Works”, NY
The Ritz: “A Collaborative Project of New York and Washington Project for the Arts, New York and Washington, D.C.
Gallery K: “Gallery Artist Exhibition”, Washington, DC
1982: Jack Rasmussen Gallery: “Four Painters Group Show”, Washington, DC
Gallery K: “Gallery Artist Exhibition”, Washington, DC
1981: Corcoran School of Art: Solo Show: “Collage and Paper”, Washington, DC
Columbia Hospital: “Permanent Exhibition of Five Women Artists”, DC
1980: Corcoran Gallery of Art: 22nd Area Exhibition, Bill Lieberman, Curator “Works on Paper”, DC
1975: Community Book Store: Washington, DC
1973: George Mason University: Two-Person Show, VA
American University: Two-Person Show, Washington, DC