January 2025 Newsletter
Brighten Someone's Day With Your Creativity!
Make someone’s day a little brighter by signing up for our annual alumni art exchange. Whether it is a traditional or quirky valentine, a silly “only at RISD” memory or a unique piece of mail-art crafted by you, whatever you are inspired to create will make a fellow alum smile.
Our alumni art exchange is a uniquely RISD way of connecting with alumni across the globe through the language of art and design. We can’t wait to see what you create this year!
Alumni Awards Nominations Have Been Extended
Extended deadline: February 1
No one knows our community as well as you. Your perspective is critical to acknowledging the work of our alumni inside and outside the studio. Let us know who inspires you by nominating an alum for a 2025 Alumni Association Award.
Celebrating 150 Years of RISD
Excitement is building as we prepare to celebrate RISD’s 150th Anniversary in 2027! A variety of projects and uniquely RISD events are already in the works, with more planned as we approach this milestone. Together, we will honor RISD’s rich history of innovation in art and design education, as well as our outstanding community of artists, makers and scholars who have shaped our legacy.
The celebration will include events on campus and around the world. One of the first highlights will be an exciting RISD Auction and a coinciding celebration in November 2025. If you’d like to get involved in the 150th-anniversary planning, reach out to Amanda Wright, director, Donor Relations, at awright@risd.edu.
Federal Direct Student Loan Repayment
RISD Student Financial Services (SFS) knows federal loan repayment can be confusing. To help recent graduates entering repayment, we created a guide with tips and resources for federal student loan borrowers. If you have questions about this process, please contact SFS at sfs@risd.edu or 401 454-6661.
RISD Reads Winter Book Selection: Seeing Differently
Virtual Book Discussion: February 10
Join RISD Reads co-leaders, Patricia Childers 86 GD, Alexandra Christiana MArch 15 and Ruth-Anne Siegel 86 GD, for a virtual conversation around the group’s latest selection, Seeing Differently: Miami Color Theory. Author Laura Paresky Gould MAT 91, is joining the conversation to discuss the inspiration behind the colorful content. All are welcome, even if you haven’t read the book!
Save the Date: RISD Reunion Weekend 2025
RISD welcomes alumni from the classes of 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020 and 2023 back to Providence for Commencement + Reunion Weekend. Whether you are celebrating 2 years, 10 years, 30 years or a milestone of 45 years or more, we hope to see you on campus May 29–June 1, 2025!
Affinity Group Highlight: RISD Latin+ (más)
RISD Latin+ (más) is a social group for alumni of Latin American nationalities and heritage, celebrating our diverse cultures and identities. Together, we are creating a community of artists, designers and makers of all types. Know someone who might be interested in joining our community? Encourage your network to update their RISD contact information to ensure they receive invites and updates and be on the lookout for events coming this spring!
At the Museum: The Road Less Traveled
On view through May 4, 2025
This exhibition highlights Katsushika Hokusai’s 1819 map that details the Edo period’s Nakasendō highway and its 69 post stations. Hokusai’s map is accompanied by 15 vibrant woodblock prints showing famous sites and views along this scenic route, including the spectacular Ono Waterfalls in Nagano and the floating castle of Lake Suwa.
Brown/RISD Master of Arts in Design Engineering Bridges Disciplines
RISD launched the intensive Master of Arts in Design Engineering (MADE) in 2021. The highly selective program focuses on collaboration and problem-solving, allowing students to develop iterative making skills and produce small- and large-scale work that addresses real-world issues and improves people’s lives.
Regional Club News: RISD Club of Maine
Led by local alum Louisa Donelson 06 PT, the Club of Maine serves as a community hub for RISD alumni in the area. The club is actively planning events for the spring, including one coming up on March 1. Know someone in the area? Encourage your local network to update their RISD contact information to ensure they receive invites and updates!
Make 2025 the Year of New Experiences
Ever dreamed of traveling the globe in search of creative inspiration? 2025 could be the year you make that dream a reality. Offering small group travel opportunities tailored to art and design, the Alumni Travel Program is the RISD way to see the world with fellow creatives, alumni and travel companions.
