The Trout Museum of Art is excited to introduce Alisa Nikishin as our first-ever Designer of the Year! This program marks a fresh, creative partnership, with Alisa being the first artist to design a custom, 20-foot mural for the Museum Store in the new museum. She’ll also create an exclusive limited-edition merchandise line, available in the future Museum Store. Her work will debut with the opening of the new Trout Museum of Art on October 11.

ABOUT ALISA
A freelance illustrator and designer, Alisa Nikishin is based in Sarasota, Florida, and Portland, Oregon. She works on narrative-focused digital and traditional illustrations, bringing stories to life for children’s books, visual development, editorial illustration, and more. Alisa is also a student at Ringling College of Art and Design in Florida, pursuing a degree in illustration with a graphic design minor.

If interested in sponsoring this program, please reach out to Frankie at fgilboa@troutmuseumart.org. Thank you to Art City Wraps for sponsoring the program mural!

Explore a selection from Alisa Nikishin’s portfolio. Alisa will create a custom design just for the museum over the summer. “My goal is to craft a mural and line that celebrates creativity and the unique spirit of the Trout Museum of Art, becoming a memorable centerpiece that resonates with visitors and complements the store.”

What is Alisa creating?
Alisa is working with the museum’s design team this summer to design her custom mural. Printed and installed by Art City Wraps, the mural will be unveiled with the opening of the new museum on Oct 11.

Alisa will also design a suite of custom items for the Museum Store. Visitors can purchase custom and limited-edition merchandise, all artist-designed! All proceeds will support both the museum and Alisa.

How was Alisa Selected?
From November to February, artists were invited to share their portfolio for consideration. Alisa was selected by a jury composed of nonprofit and corporate design professionals, including representatives from the museum’s design team and, this year, a guest juror from Kimberly-Clark Corporation.

Can I apply to be the next Designer of the Year?
Yes, this will be an annual program with rotating artists each Fall! Watch for a call for artists in late 2025. This annual competition will showcase new artists and fresh ideas every year—so there’s always something new and exciting to look forward to!