Alyssa Reiser Prince

Professional artist, Instructor of art and coordinator of the visual art program at the South Carolina Governor’s School, and online instructor for Columbia College

Education: BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in painting and a Minor in Art History, UNC Charlotte (2008)
MFA Visual Art, concentration painting, Clemson (2013)

Hometown: Charlotte, NC

Although Alyssa Reiser Prince has always loved art, it was only after her first year at college that she realized that art would be her career. She transferred to UNC Charlotte after her freshman year of college, and that launched her path as a professional artist. 

“UNC Charlotte’s faculty opened my eyes to what being an artist and having a career in the arts could look like. This was especially important as I was a first-gen college student and did not know anyone that was a professional artist. I was always challenged to be my best self and to find my true artistic voice in all of my classes at UNC Charlotte. Even after graduating, I found support from former faculty members when applying to graduate programs.”

While at UNC Charlotte, Alyssa made many memories, such as: trying to master wheel-throwing in Joan Tweedy’s ceramics classes, Painting Projects courses with Maja Godlewska and Susan Brenner, learning abstraction with Michael Simpson, finding rhythm in drawing class with Kristin Rothrock, and spending time in the studio with her fellow students.

Currently she is the instructor of art and coordinator of the visual art program at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville, South Carolina. Additionally, she teaches online for Columbia College in Columbia, South Carolina. Alyssa is also a former associate professor at Coker University, where she was instrumental in starting a BFA program in Studio Art. She also continues to work as a professional artist and had an artist residency at Gabriola Island in British Columbia in the summer of 2023. She also recently authored a study guide titled “Art in Your Life” through Oxford University press for the art appreciation textbook, Art for Everyone.

Her advice for current students: “Work hard, be in the studio as much as you can, and take advantage of every opportunity!”

Check out her art work at her website!