Alumni Spotlight: Willie Udell (HS '09)

Willie Udell (HS '09) pursued a bachelor's degree in Studio Art and Environmental Studies at Kenyon College in Gambier, OH. The liberal arts institution provided a unique opportunity to engage in a variety of different disciplines, which, similar to Heschel, allowed Willie to find and develop an interest in the arts towards the end of his time in school. At Kenyon, it began with co-teaching a woodworking course at the college's Craft Center, while at Heschel it began with Friday afternoon trips to contemporary Art galleries in Chelsea with Art History teacher Gabe Godin. Willie says. "those trips with Gabe, whether I realized it at the time, were super informative in realizing my interest in art-making." After graduating Kenyon, Willie remained in Ohio for a year as a technical manager of the colleges Art Department. He then pursued a Masters of Fine Arts in Sculpture from the Rhode Island School of Design where he graduated in 2016 and was awarded the Toby Lewis Fellowship. Willie says, "RISD provided a unique opportunity to study contemporary art theory with faculty from all over the world... I was really fortunate to take courses and have critiques with faculty ranging from a curator at the DIA Art Foundation to the editor of the premier art blog Hyperallergic." Since graduating Willie has remained in Providence pursuing his practice and working as a production manager for a local furniture design company.