Rachelle Bussières
New York,NY
Summary
Practicing artist and educator with expertise in experimental photography and alternative photographic processes. Experienced in college-level instruction, museum education, and community workshops, with a focus on fostering innovative, research-informed approaches to photography.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Faculty
International Center of Photography
01.2020 - Current
- Teach courses in analog photography, darkroom techniques, and alternative processes.
Founder & Instructor
LUMIÈRE NYC
01.2022 - Current
- Created and lead an educational platform focused on lumen printing and astronomy-based image-making; workshops delivered in person at Arter (Istanbul), Columbia University, New York Public Library, Equivalentbehaviour (London), Kala Art Institute (Berkeley), and Seattle Pacific University.
Instructor
Penumbra Foundation
01.2019 - Current
- Lead lumen printing workshops and provide mentorship in historical and alternative processes.
Teaching Artist
Queens Museum
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Developed and taught arts-based lessons connected to museum exhibitions; facilitated critiques, tours, and student-curated displays.
AP Photography (Student Teacher / Lead Instructor)
Art and Design High School
- 01.2025
- Designed and taught AP-level analog and camera-less photography coursework during student teaching placement.
Graduate Teaching Assistant in “History of American and Landscape Photography”
San Francisco Art Institute
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Supported college-level photography course through lectures, discussions, grading, and an interactive Instagram-based student project.
Artist Instructor
Studio in a School
01.2023 - Current
- Design and implement arts-integrated lessons for K–8 classrooms with an emphasis on creativity, observation, and material exploration. Mediums: watercolor, clay, oil pastels.
Education
Advanced Certificate - Art Education
CUNY Queens College
06-2025
MFA - Photography
San Francisco Art Institute
05-2015
BA - Anthropology (Honors)
Université Laval
01.2011
Fine Arts -
Sainte-Foy College
05-2007
Skills
- Artistic direction expertise
- Critical thinking with a strong aesthetic sense
- Art history
- Photography
- Curator
- Public lecturing
- Cultural sensitivity
- Attention to detail
- Excellent communication
Websites
Languages
French
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
Artist Instructor
Studio in a School
01.2023 - Current
Founder & Instructor
LUMIÈRE NYC
01.2022 - Current
Teaching Artist
Queens Museum
01.2022 - 01.2023
Faculty
International Center of Photography
01.2020 - Current
Instructor
Penumbra Foundation
01.2019 - Current
Graduate Teaching Assistant in “History of American and Landscape Photography”
San Francisco Art Institute
01.2014 - 01.2015
AP Photography (Student Teacher / Lead Instructor)
Art and Design High School
- 01.2025
BA - Anthropology (Honors)
Université Laval
Advanced Certificate - Art Education
CUNY Queens College
MFA - Photography
San Francisco Art Institute
Fine Arts -
Sainte-Foy College
Visiting Lecturer & Critic (Selected)
School of Visual Arts (2026); Parsons (2024); NARS (2023); UPEI (2021 and 2022); University of Central Florida (2022); San Francisco State (2020); Seattle Pacific University (2020); San Francisco Art Institute (2019)
Recent Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions:
- And the Sky Will Follow (2025), Bigaignon, Paris
- Daydreams (2025) Robertson Arès, Montréal
- Air Index (2024), Equivalentbehaviour, London
Group Exhibitions & Art Fairs:
- Paris Photo (2025), Bigaignon, Paris
- I Need More Time (2025), Arter Contemporary Art Museum, Istanbul
- Enter Art Fair (2025), Copenhagen
Curatorial Projects
- Founder & Director, LUMIÈRE NYC (2021–Present)
- Co-Director, The Painting Salon, San Francisco (2018–2019)
Collections
- Museum of Contemporary Photography (Chicago)
- Arter Contemporary Art Museum (Istanbul)
- Penumbra Foundation (NY)
- SFMOMA Library and Archives
- Corporate & private collections
Publications & Press (Selected)
- Photomonitor UK (2024)
- ArtMaze (2020)
- Night Diver Press (2019)
- Circle of Signs album cover (2023)
Awards & Residencies
Canada Council Grant — 2021, 2024, Aperture Portfolio Prize Finalist — 2021, Silver Art Projects Residency — 2020, Penumbra Foundation Residency — 2019, Headlands Center for the Arts Fellowship — 2015