Blending Art and Identity: Ella Napierkowski’s Journey Through SOIS

For Ella Napierkowski, the path to academic fulfillment began with a leap of curiosity. Originally from North Carolina, she applied to RIT on a whim, encouraged by friends pursuing engineering degrees. “I thought, wouldn’t it be funny if I got in?” she recalled. “And then I did.”

Napierkowski began her RIT journey as a graphic design major, drawn to typography and visual storytelling. But as she progressed, she realized the digital medium wasn’t her true passion. “I don’t like making art for other people,” she said. “Technology is a great tool, but it’s not my medium of choice.”

Her discovery of printmaking during her second year changed everything. “I stepped into the printmaking studio and never left,” she said. “I’ve taken the studio six times.”

That passion led her to the School of Individualized Study, where she crafted a concentration titled “Intersection of Painting and Printmaking.” The program’s flexibility allowed her to blend disciplines and explore her artistic identity. “The school gave me access to facilities and experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise,” she said. “It’s opened up possibilities.”

One of those possibilities was her capstone project—a solo exhibition titled Nexus, held at The Yards Collective gallery. “Most students in the College of Art and Design share a final show with 20 others,” Napierkowski explained. “The School of Individualized Study funded my own gallery space. People were astounded—‘You’re an undergrad?’”

Nexus explored emotional and ecological connections through a recurring form Napierkowski calls “the monster.” “It’s a metaphor for the self,” she said. “When I walk my dog, it’s our monsters dancing alongside each other. The crows roosting—it’s their monsters dancing in the sky.”

Her work also reflects grief and introspection. “Some pieces are portraits of trees that were cut down—trees I felt a deep connection to,” she said. “They were like mothers to me. Losing them felt like losing a parent.”

Napierkowski credits her advisors for helping shape her journey. “Melissa Bizari welcomed me with open arms,” she said. “She found classes for me that really resonated. And Clarence Sheffield, my capstone advisor, gave me artistic guidance and helped me make connections.”

Looking ahead, Napierkowski plans to travel and continue making art. “I’d be happy with a minimum wage job and a small apartment if I could make art all day,” she said. “That’s the ultimate goal.”

Her advice to future students in the individualized story program? “Keep your mind open. Use the program—it’s there to benefit you. Connect with the community. The diversity in the School of Individualized Study is one of its most meaningful parts.”

Napierkowski’s journey through the school is a testament to the power of self-directed learning, creative freedom, and the transformative potential of art.