June 2023

Dear RISD Alumni,

Earlier this month, I excitedly returned to campus for Commencement + Reunion Weekend to celebrate RISD's 140th Commencement and my 20-year reunion. It was an activity-filled four days. My favorite moments included an inspiring alumni keynote conversation with Julia Rothman 02 IL and Professor Robert Brinkerhoff, presenting this year's Alumni Association Awards at the annual awards dinner, the Lantern Lighting and Artists' Party and our Class Dinners. The weather may not have been perfect, but sharing stories and catching up made the rain and clouds worth it.

RISD Craft was a community favorite as always. I am pleased to share that the public voted Martha Siegel MAT 87 this year's "Peoples' Choice Award" winner and that the jury voted Kai Gietzen 22 IL "Best Emerging Artist."

Of course, a significant highlight of the weekend was the installation of the brand-new Alumni Association Awards Wall in the center of campus. It was an honor to take part in the wall's dedication and to have so many in attendance as we recognized over 60 years (and growing) of awards given to alumni, friends and community members. The next time you are in Providence, I hope you will stop by the lobby of 20 Washington Place to see it.

Celebrating my reunion and reminiscing with classmates and friends who shared my journey reminded me of the powerful impact RISD has had on our lives. The opportunity to spend time in a place that means so much to all of us and connect with fellow alumni fills me with gratitude for our community. Your openness to ideas and innovation and the creativity through which you live your lives is inspiring and humbling.

I look forward to continuing our journey together.

Sincerely,

Rex Wong signature

Rex Wong BArch 03
President
RISD Alumni Association

P.S. Mark your calendars—Commencement + Reunion Weekend returns May 30–June 2, 2024.

In their own words: the 2023 Alumni Award Winners

Humbling. Uplifting. Affirming. Filmed at the 2023 RISD Awards dinner, watch this year’s Alumni Association Award winners share what it means to them to be honored by their peers.

Welcome to the Class of 2023!

Congratulations on your remarkable achievements! The RISD Alumni Association is here to support you and help you stay connected to the RISD community as you embark on the next phase of your creative journey.

RISD Alumni Magazine

Out now, the magazine's inaugural issue highlights our alumni and their critical contributions that are shaping our world, including designing to connect communities, innovative work in global security, humanitarian aid in the face of natural disasters and more.

Your support matters

From funding materials and internships to guaranteeing access to the country's best art and design faculty, donors like you make our students' dreams come true. Make your gift before June 30, and thanks to our $100,000 match, it will be doubled!

Online: Grad Show 2023

Experience an expansive range of exploratory work by emerging artists and designers. The selected works represent the culmination of each student’s experience in RISD’s dynamic and diverse graduate programs.

At the museum: Performative Self-Portrait

On view through November 12, 2023

From capturing themselves in shadows and reflections to trying on alternative or speculative identities, this exhibition explores the body as material and medium and photography as vehicle to consider artists’ use of self-portraiture to enact the self, question history and articulate identity.

Travel with us: Southern Africa Odyssey

Experience astonishing beauty and consummate adventure, capturing the magnificence of four distinct nations. Explore the ocean and mountains, desert and plains, waterfalls and wildlife in Southern Africa, where diversity reigns and visitors are welcomed as never before.

Upcoming Alumni Events

	Club of DC Group Visit to Glenstone June 25
	Club of New Hampshire Tour of Frank Lloyd Wright Houses June 25
	RISD Alumni in Painting: Virtual Coffee Klatch June 26
	Club of the Netherlands: Summer Networking Event July 7
	Summer Welcome, Taiwan July 8
	RISD Museum Open Studio July 16
	Club of Vermont Summer Potluck July 16
	Summer Welcome, Vancouver July 16
	Summer Welcome, New York July 18
	Summer Welcome, DC July 20
	Summer Welcome, Rhode Island July 20
	Summer Welcome, Thailand July 22
	Summer Welcome, Boston July 25
	Summer Welcome, San Francisco July 26
	Club of Rhode Island Monthly Meetup July 27
	Summer Welcome, Los Angeles July 29
	Summer Welcome, Philadelphia August 1

Image credits: Commencement + Reunion images by Thad Russell MFA 06 PH and Matthew Watson 09 FAV. Alumni Awards Winners image by Thad Russell MFA 06 PH. Commencement by Matthew Watson 09 FAV. RISD Alumni Magazine cover photo: Michael Maltzan and Gabrielle Bullock on The Sixth Street Bridge in LA. The bridge was designed by Michael Maltzan Architecture. Photo by Páll Stefánsson. Student with easel by Jo Sittenfeld MFA 08 PH. Graphic identity: Serena Ho MFA 23 GD and Zachary Scheinfelf MFA 23 GD. Installation view of Performative Self-Portrait on view 05-13-2023 through 11-05-2023 at the RISD Museum. Zebra in Chobe National Park courtesy of Odysseys Unlimited.

Alumni + Family Relations
Rhode Island School of Design
401 709-8585
alumni@risd.edu
alumni.risd.edu

Rhode Island School of Design
20 Washington Place
Providence, RI 02903-2784
USA

This message sent by Rhode Island School of Design.
You are receiving this email because you are a member of the RISD community.

View email in your browser
Email Preferences
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 RISD, All rights reserved.