Andrew Stewart ’12 Returns to Randolph as the Featured Artist in Residence
It's always wonderful to have a Randolph alum back on campus to reconnect with teachers who influenced them and share their experiences and insights with our current students! Upper School Graphic Design Teacher Pete Townsend and Randolph's Visual Art Faculty welcomed Andrew Stewart '12 back to campus in February 2023 as the featured Artist in Residence and speaker at the National Art Honor Society induction ceremony.
Andrew's time as a student is something that his mother says was truly transformative.
“No one is more nurturing than the Fine Arts Department at Randolph," describes April Stewart, parent of Randolph alum Andrew Stewart '12.
"His experience at Randolph enabled him to foster good relationships with his college professors and gave him the confidence to pursue a career in the arts. Randolph’s investment in the arts is invaluable. It truly changed his life!”
Andrew currently resides in San Francisco, California and works as a Senior Industrial Designer/Toy Inventor at IDEO. Students Grade 2-12 were fascinated by his presentation of becoming a professional artist after his riveting educational experience at Randolph and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). He graciously answered all of their questions and there were lots of them.
"How do you come up with the ideas for the art that you create?"
"How do you get people to want to buy it?"
"How did you handle it if people didn't like your art?"
"What kinds of classes did you take in college?
"Wait...can I buy the toys you made at Target?"
In addition to sharing his journey, Stewart also offered the students words of encouragement and emphasized the importance of discovering and nurturing their authentic style and not being afraid to share their art with others.
During his visit, Stewart was also the featured speaker at the National Art Honor Society Induction Ceremony where 10 students were inducted. Congratulations to the following student artists!
- Evan Brown ‘23
- Sophie Maurer ‘24
- Tulloss Hancock ‘25
- Charlie Timberlake ‘23
- Jillian Murphy ‘24
- Ellie Heilman ‘25
- George Smith ‘25
- Emma Wolfe ‘23
- Erin Ghaleb ‘25
- Emma Towner Jones ‘25
Thank you to Upper School Ceramics teacher Mrs. Rachel Larose, NAHS student leaders Andrew Pumpelly ‘23, President; Lucy Loflin ‘23, Vice President; Carly Jia ’23, Secretary; Erin Ghaleb ‘25, Historian; our returning NAHS members Abby Conway, Ava Howse, Grace Molloy, Anna Kate Shannon, and Director of Visual and Performing Arts Dr. Erin Charles and our Visual Art Faculty for upholding the spirit of excellence in this annual tradition.
Stewart dedicated his original painting to Randolph at the National Art Honor Society Induction Ceremony, which is now featured in the Visual Art wing on the Garth Campus.
