Visual Arts Department Alumni Spotlight

Kristen Fissell, RWU Class of 2022

Major: Visual Arts

Kristen graduated from RWU with a bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts in 2022, her second degree after completing her B.S. in Marine and Environmental Science at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT.

Kristen completed many installations and exhibitions during her year with the Visual Arts program, most of her work being displayed at the then Roger That! Gallery. She notes that her favorite class taken during her time with the Visual Arts program was Marking Spaces with Professor Elizabeth Duffy. In this advanced sculpture class, Kristen said she learned how to take up space in a bigger and more impactful way. After spending some time on the East Coast, Kristen decided to move out west to San Francisco, CA. She describes that she is still merging into the new art community out west, where there is no shortage of artistic expression.

Kristen drawns and paints images inspired by the Bay Area From Haight Ashbury to the studios in Hunters Point Shipyard, Kristen is excited to be experiencing this new shift in perspective. Currently, she is working at an Asian Art Museum setting up exhibitions. Kristen says she finds time to explore her new found love of painting during her mornings and evenings before and after work. In her final words, Kristen emphasized that every artist doesn’t have a straight line path that looks like everyone else’s. She has found true passion in advocating for other artists.

To keep up with Kristen Fissell and her life after RWU, please visit her website: www.kristenfissell.com We look forward to sharing our next alumni spotlight with you soon! In the meantime, check out some of Kristen’s amazing current work.

Additional Stories

From RWU to a Great Career, His Dream Come True
Rosalvens Saint Jean, RWU Class of 2018
Accounting + Management
It’s no surprise Rosalvens Saint Jean already had a full-time job with one of the world’s top public accounting firms lined up before he graduated. He had taken every opportunity to grow his skills and knowledge through hands-on learning experiences at Roger Williams University and multiple internships with great companies.
Career Options Broadened through Internship
Allie Campbell, RWU Class of 2019
Creative Writing
Like many creative writing majors, Allie Campbell envisioned herself working with authors, reading and editing their manuscripts at a publishing firm.
Nicholas Morrison '19, Construction Management Alum
Nicholas Morrison, RWU Class of 2019
Construction Management
Now a few years into my career, I enjoy working on healthcare projects that ultimately can make a great difference in someone’s life. Along those same lines, I eventually want to be working on projects that benefit society as a whole, more specifically, working on sustainable projects. It’s an exciting time to be in construction, as now, more than ever, we are developing and implementing new technologies and building materials with sustainable goals in mind.