arielwills.com
@arielwillsart
Ariel Wills
Artist / Educator
Education
2024
MFA in Illustration,
Rhode Island School of Design
(RISD), Providence, RI
Specialized in 2D/3D visual storytelling, stop-motion, book arts, fabrication, fiber arts.
Focused on integrating traditional techniques with contemporary media, exploring
narrative and conceptual development. Studied under faculty including Calef Brown,
Dylan Dewitt, Susan Doyle, Andrea Dezso, Masha Ryskin, and Amy Kravitz, cultivating
a practice rooted in materiality, storytelling, and interdisciplinary exploration.
Certificate in Collegiate Teaching in Completed the Certificate in Collegiate Teaching with Nancy Friese, focused on
Art and Design, RISD,
Providence, RI
inclusive pedagogy, curriculum development, and mentoring undergraduates and
graduates. Served as TA and instructor of record while maintaining an active studio
practice. Department of Teaching and Learning in Art and Design.
2021
MA in Liberal Arts:
Nature-Culture Sustainability Stud-
ies, RISD, Providence, RI
Interdisciplinary study in environmental humanities and political ecology with faculty
including Ijlal Muzaffar and Kate Irvin. Focused on material research, environmental
ethics, and sustainability, developing skills in guiding student research and inquiry.
2018
Masa independent academic participant in intensive study of Israeli contemporary
dance, spoken and written Hebrew. Internship at The W.F. Albright
Archaeological Institute
Hebrew University, Jerusalem Acad-
emy of Music and Dance, Jerusalem,
Israel
2014
Interdisciplinary Humanities with combined Spanish and
art concentration.
Bachelors in Arts, The University of
Oregon, Eugene, OR
2011
Universidad Autónoma de
Querétaro (UAQ), Mexico
Semester completed in Mexico studying Spanish language, Mexican and
Indigenous art and cultural histories.
Teaching Experience
Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA), AICAD Post-Graduate Teaching Fellowship
Spring 2026
ILL 464B ILLUSTRATION:
A senior-level course focused on contemporary themes and concepts, designed to
help students develop their final project portfolios for the illustration industry. The
course emphasizes translating thematic vocabulary into inventive visual solutions,
while preparing students for the professional world by fostering industry-ready visual
awareness and skills.
Final Project Portfolio
2025-present
ILL 205 ILLUSTRATION I
A course focused on concept-driven and job-simulated illustration assignments,
emphasizing contemporary themes, professional habits, and industry-aligned work-
flvows.
2024-present
FNDN 150B STUDIO DISCOVERY:
Visual Fieldwork
This class provides the opportunity to explore, discover interests, realize personal
inclinations, and investigate new concepts to better understand the wide range of
offerings at CIA. Integrated into the foundation year, this class offers an interdisci-
plinary exposure to studio subjects, mediums, faculty, and facilities.
2025-Spring 2026
FNDN 131 LIFE DRAWING
Taught life drawing to foundation students, emphasizing observation, proportion,
anatomy, and expressive mark-making. Students developed skills in charcoal, conte,
graphite, and watercolor through in-class exercises, museum visits, and collabo-
rative projects that fostered critical thinking, visual literacy, and cross-disciplinary
engagement.
2024
FNDN 130 OBSERVATIONAL
DRAWING
Taught foundational 2D drawing and life drawing, developing students’ skills in
charcoal, conte, graphite, watercolor, and other media. Combined in-class and
experiential learning, including museum visits and collaborative projects across class
sections, fostering technical skill, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary engagement.
Rhode Island School of Design, Instructor of Record
2024
ILLUS 3770 101 EMBROIDERY:
Material as Storyteller
Designed and co-taught undergrads and graduate students with Wénrán Zhào This
all-level course to explore narrative potential of traditional and digital
embroidery, equips students with a comprehensive skill set in embroidery, textile
materials, and narrative techniques.
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arielwills.com
@arielwillsart
Ariel Wills
Artist / Educator
RISD Teaching Experience Continued
2024
Teaching Assistantship Experimental
and Foundation Studies (EFS)
Spring 2024, supported professor Mark Millof in teaching Foundation Design class.
Primary engagement taking place through participation in critiques.
2023
Worked with professor Susan Doyle. Illustration undergraduate studio
elective that surveys potential ways for analog media can be strategically used in
tandem with the risograph to create unique multimedia prints. Designed and led
presentations on various printmaking and risograph techniques, considerations,
and elements of design.
ILLUS-3722-01 DIGITAL + ANALOG
2023
Graduate Teaching Assistant,
RISD Global, Perspectives on
Piranesi, Rome, Italy
Intensive travel course with group of 13 students and professor, Nick de Pace.
Assisted lessons, coordinated trips, travel, participated in student critiques.
Drawing course exploring eighteenth-century engraver Giovanni Battista Piranesi.
Service and Leadership
Community Engagement & Public Outreach
Student Mentoring & Academic Support
Mentor to student teaching assistants for the
2024-26
Academic liaison hosting comic book author and
educator Marcel Walker for a public lecture on
“championing comic books as a force for social good,”
held at the CIA PBL and co-sponsored by Case Western
Reserve Hillel and the Cleveland Institute of Art.
2025
Foundation-year course Studio Discovery at the CIA.
Provided pedagogical guidance, support, and training.
Participant and alumni representative, Brown/RISD
Hillel New York City Art Trip. Engaged with current stu–
dents to discuss professional pathways and experiences
as a RISD alumna.
2025
2025 Co-host, Ecology as a Verb Academic Panel for the
AICAD Symposium Celebration at Pratt Institute,
Brooklyn. Co-led a dialogue on art practice, international
perspectives, and inclusive pedagogical approaches
with fellow artist-educators Gwenyth Chao and Daniela
Gomez-Paz.
2020 Graduate Student Representative, RISD,
Collaborated with students from each department to
advocate for students across the school during the pan-
demic and to act as a liaison between
Instructor, all-levels Embroidery Workshop at Cleveland
2025
Graduate Studies Office and students.
Moishe House West. Taught foundational and advanced
embroidery techniques to participants of diverse back-
grounds and abilities.
2020
Workshop Instructor: Hand Embroidery and Felt
Appliqué, Developed RISD Quickie Workshop teaching
embroidery to 26 students with a range in sewing expe-
rience. Provided individualized
Professional & Civic Service
National Portfolio Review Volunteer, Reviewed pro-
spective student portfolios; provided critique, program
advising, and information about BFA and pre-college
programs, admissions processes, and careers in the arts.
2025
instruction and demonstrated a wide range of embroi-
dery stitches and appliqué techniques.
English/Spanish Language Cultural Associate, ANDEO
International Homestays, Facilitated cultural exchange
programs by leading workshops for domestic students
in Oregon and Washington, promoting cross-cultural
understanding through discussions on cultural iden-
tity and language. Encouraged local families to host
international students, drawing from personal study-
abroad experiences to strengthen community engage-
ment. Led language workshops for visiting international
students and coordinated between host families and
students. Contributed administratively, with program
coordination, and family recruitment.
2019
National Portfolio Reviewer, RISD Graduate Admis-
sions. Met with prospective graduate students to discuss
portfolio development and RISD graduate programs.
2021
2017
Leadership Summit Participant, Masa Leadership
Center, Jerusalem, Israel 2017 Summit develops skills to
catalyze change, promote activism, social responsibility,
and community care, and connects young professionals
to a larger community. Training seeds productive dis-
course on the challenges of diverse communities around
the world.
English Language Teacher, Auxiliares de Conversación
Madrid, Spain. Developed lesson plans and taught for
two Spanish secondary schools.
2015
Translator, The Arts Center, Corvallis, OR. Promoted
community arts accessibility by translating fliers for
events, workshops, school projects, gallery shows, and
art residencies from English into Spanish.
2017
2
arielwills.com
@arielwillsart
Ariel Wills
Artist / Educator
Publications
Exhibitions
2024
2026
RISD MFA Thesis The Voice of the Visual
Founders & Inventors: Women Who Created Our World,
Gather, Praovidence, RI
2025
2022
Illustration Alumni Scow, RISD ISB Gallery, Providence, RI
“Open Dialogues and Material Memory,” in anthology,
Faculty Exhibition, Reinberger Gallery, Cleveland, OH
2024
2021
Faculty Exhibition, Reinberger Gallery, Cleveland, OH
RISD Graduate Student Show, Rhode Island Convention
Center, Providence, RI
Spring Exhibition, Brown/RISD Hillel
RISD Illustration MFA Biennial, Sol Koffler Gallery,
RISD MA Thesis (NCSS)
dered Purse,” interview with Christina Bevilacqua,
Programs & Exhibitions Director at The Providence Public
Library.
2023
RISD Illustration MFA Summer Show, ISB Gallery
2021
Graduate Thesis Show, The Chase Center, RISD Museum
2019
2020
Stories of 2020 Project—American Museum of Natural
History”Zoom Portraiture,” illustrated reflective essay
about connecting digitally in the pandemic.
Volume 1—RISD, volume-1.org, “Throwing Salt,
Constructing the Homeland”
NCSS Graduate Student Show, Center for Integrative
Technology
Brew Dr. Kombucha Show, Portland, OR
2019
Volume 1—RISD
Awards/Recognitions
2025
“Zadie + Teju” Visual Journalism
Two-time AICAD Fellowship Recipient, Teaching fellow–
ship program that aims to help increase racial and ethnic
diversity in art school faculty.
Languages and Technical Skills
Native English; Bilingual Spanish; Conversational French;
Arts to participate in a workshop with Neta Weiner, Stav
Marin, and Samira Saraya at the International Summer
Academy in Salzburg, Austria
Conversational Hebrew, Beginning Italian
Graphic Arts; Drawing, Painting, Collage, Sequential art,
Illustration; Scientific Illustration; Painting; Stop-motion;
Arts Education; Dance; Photography; Book Arts; book
design; Animation; Puppetry; Installation art, Curation
2024
Interviewed by Simone Solondz for an article discussing
the career strategies of graduate students across disci-
plines at RISD.
Innovative Thinking; Hard Worker; Leadership; Commu-
nication; Project Planning; Time Management; Conflict
Resolution; Team Player, Quick learner
Athens Animfest Oficial Selection, Athens, Greece.
Designed and fabricated a stop motion animation,
“Manna” which was selected to screen in the festival.
RISD Fellowship Scholarship Providence, RI, Received
educational funding for good academic standing.
Core Computer Competencies: Adobe Suite (Photoshop,
Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro) Dragon Frame, Embril–
liance, Cloud-based software (Dropbox, Google Suite, Mi-
crosoft 365); Zoom Webinar, and conference facilitation.
2023
Athens Animfest Oficial Selection, Athens, Greece.
Designed and fabricated a stop motion animation,
“Train Ride” which was selected to screen in the festival.
Academic Research and Publication; Writing; Grant
Writing; Copy-Editing; Ethical Scholarship, Proofreading;
Translation; Project Management.
RISD Fellowship Scholarship Providence, RI, Received
educational funding for good academic standing.
Experienced Teacher including collegiate level Under-
graduate and Graduate students; Inclusive Pedagogy,
Strategy; Goal Oriented; Organization; Creative Apti-
tudes; Administrative Skills; Problem Solving; Multitask–
ing; Marketing; Prioritizing and Delegating Tasks
2021
Graduate Commons Grant Recipient, a competitive
program that supports creative open-ended explorations
and goal-oriented projects.
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