Anthony Alvarez ’17
Major(s)
Minor(s)
Current Position
Graduate School & Degree
Favorite Ursinus Memory
I remember getting my first studio in Ritter during my sophomore year. I was a bit nervous to meet my studio mates, many of them seniors who would graduate that same year. I hadn’t had any class or interactions with them before, so I wasn’t sure how I would fit in. But what happened that year was something special and unexpected. I found a home and family in that upstairs studio space. There was Hemi, Emily, Ang, Kyle, Randi, Brenna, Monica, and Christina. We spent so many hours together, celebrating, working, and practically living in that space. There were many long nights getting to know one another and supporting one another however we needed. Although I only had a few months with them, it was one the greatest experiences of my time at Ursinus and it inspired me to seek out similar environments ever since.
Impact of Ursinus
As a sophomore, I was ready to challenge myself further as a photographer. Having worked with a medium-format camera for years, I talked with my advisor, Prof. Sarah Kaufman, who graciously lent me a large-format camera. This was my first time working with such a precise, static, and demanding camera. It was intimidating and required a more deliberate and decisive approach to every image. That year, I created Working Men, my first cohesive body of work that honored and uplifted individuals who were often underrepresented, marginalized, and undervalued.
This experience not only challenged me technically but also pushed me to become more organized and intentional, approaching projects and narratives holistically. Today, I continued that work by creating projects that amplify marginalized voices, partnering with a non-profit that shares these same values, and building a master’s project that embodied the lessons and values from Working Men.
