Alumni Spotlight: Alain McAlister

Over the past 110 years, more than 200,000 individuals have graduated from Webster University around the world.

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Meet Alain McAlister who earned a BFA in Studio Art from Webster in 2023, and is currently an illustrator at Betty's Books, a print shop assistant and freelance artist.

What enticed you to choose Webster for your degree?

Growing up in St. Louis, I always heard great things about the Department of Art, Design and Art History at Webster. When I graduated high school, the world was shut down due to the pandemic. A lot of my family lives in St. Louis, so I wanted to find a school that would let me stay close to them while still pushing myself to have a formative college experience. Webster ended up being the best place for me – it had incredible professors, peers, communities and financial support.

What stood out about your studies at Webster?

I loved almost every class I took at Webster. Whether it was a French cooking class, a creative writing workshop, one of the many studio art classes or fencing, the professors always taught with passion and mastery, adding so much meaning to every subject. I had a great time learning and engaging with everything Webster had to offer, whether it was related to my major or simply something I was interested in. I still keep in touch with many of my professors!

How did your Webster degree help advance you in your career?

Webster gave me a cohort of incredible creative peers and access to mentors that are actively working in the creative fields they're teaching about. They encouraged exploration and skill development while also giving practical advice about taxes and professional practice. They allowed us the space to create while giving us the perspective of how we could actually develop the conversations we were having into tangible real-world success.

What is your favorite part about your job?

I love being able to balance practical skills and programs I learned in school with the creative play and freedom of being a working artist. While it's challenging to balance many day jobs, projects and personal work, I wouldn't want anything else.

What is something valuable you have learned during your career?

I'm still very new to the working world, so I feel like I'm always trying and failing and learning new things every day. But the most important thing I learned from Webster and have continued to learn from afterward is that community is everything. You have to support and cultivate the communities around you. Your communities (artistic or otherwise) are always there for you to create next to, support and lean on. I would not be able to do anything I have done without the people who have supported me and the ones I've built community with.

What advice would you give to others who are considering Webster for their degree?

You are responsible for what you get out of college – build community, ask questions you want to know and learn the skills you feel you need to grow. Be open, curious and empathic about everything and everyone!

What has your life journey looked like?

I grew up in St. Louis, and I currently still live here! For a while, I felt like I was missing out because I didn't go away for college, but I've gotten to know St. Louis in a more nuanced and real way since growing into an adult here. I want to travel the world through artist residencies, and I dream of moving somewhere mountainous, but currently I have a hard time imagining myself without all the amazing people that make this place so vibrant. So I'll definitely be here for a bit longer!

How do you spend your free time?

I make a lot of art, hang out with my dog, get coffee with friends, learn how to fight with swords and read comics in my free time. I've always got one project or another going for fun!