Alumni

The Laura Russo Luminary Alumni Award was established in 2010 to celebrate Laura Russo ’75 and the contributions she made to the development of the Portland arts community, including her work with Arlene Schnitzer and the Fountain Gallery, establishment of the Laura Russo Gallery, the development of the First Thursday Group (now Portland Art Dealers Association), and service to many arts organizations including PNCA. Russo was awarded the prestigious Governor’s Arts Award in 2010 and recognized posthumously in 2011 as the first recipient of the Laura Russo Luminary Alumni Award (formerly the Laura Russo Distinguished Award).

PNCA's Laura Russo Luminary Alumni Award recognizes PNCA alumni who exemplify PNCA's mission, and celebrates the broad spectrum of traditional and non-traditional paths to alumni excellence. Laura Russo, PNCA alumna '75 and beloved local gallery owner, was an unparalleled figure in Portland's creative community. She left a legacy of outstanding artistic achievement in her lifelong commitment to the arts in Portland, and was a great supporter of PNCA.

Nominees should be graduates of PNCA and role models who stand out from their peers through some combination of excellence, impact, innovation, and integrity. They may be either well-known or not yet widely recognized for their achievements.