Arielle Parris is a painter working in oil and charcoal to capture the interior lives of subjects in moments of vulnerability, rest, and self-possession. Her figurative work investigates what happens when the observed become the observers of their own narrative—exploring identity, presence, and belonging through the language of posture, gesture, and gaze.

Currently an MFA candidate in Painting and Drawing at Academy of Art University (expected 2026), Arielle recently completed a residency at Santa Reparata International School of Art in Florence, Italy. Her work has been exhibited at Brooklyn Navy Yard (Black Girls in Art Spaces, 2025), US Arts Center, and in both domestic and international venues.

Beyond the studio, Arielle brings five years of teaching experience across community programs, arts centers, and alternative education settings, guiding students from foundational techniques to advanced studio practice.