(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Join Smithsonian curator Carolyn Russo as she talks about her book, The Ascent of Rauschenberg on Thursday, October 8, 2026 in a virtual discussion presented by the Ocean County Library. Explore the towering legacy, unexpected inspirations, and creative heights of Robert Rauscenberg (1925 – 2008), one of American's most influential artistic icons. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Most famous for his Combines painting and sculpture hybrids, Rauschenberg created within a range of mediums, including collage, performance, photography, and printmaking. But a connective tissue through it all was a fascination with flight. The Ascent of Rauschenberg explores the flight motif across his work, spanning birds, insects, aviation, spaceflight, sensory experiences, and metaphors for his own life.
More than 150 images reveal the vibrant scope of his work, from lithographs inspired by the Apollo 11 launch that NASA invited him to witness and document to a Combine featuring a taxidermied eagle that evokes Roman mythology. Nine accompanying essays reflect on his many flight themes and subtleties that might otherwise be overlooked. The book also includes archival photographs and personal papers from the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation.
Carolyn Russo is the curator of the art collection at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. She has lectured internationally on the subject of art and flight and is the author of several publications, including Art of the Airport Tower, In Plane View: Abstractions of Flight, and Women and Flight: Portraits of Contemporary Women Pilots.
Registration is required for this free program. Register now for the change to view art history through the unique prism of flight. To register, visit tinyurl.com/RussoOCL, call 732-349-6200, or stop by your local OCL branch.
There are multiple performances including:
Friday, November 20, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
Toms River, NJ
Yates Musical Theatre for Children returns for another year of tradition with A Christmas Carol.
