“Work became so tedious that it felt like my soul was starving. I wanted to change my career, but I had no experience in design so I wanted to attend classes. That’s how I found RISD CE. I transferred my telephone job to Providence just so I could take classes there at night.
I immediately felt an overwhelming feeling that I belonged here. I sat in a big drawing studio that was covered in charcoal dust and paints and I knew that’s exactly where I needed to be. Every RISD CE instructor challenged me all along the way and they always took me seriously. They broke down all of the walls in my head; some that I never knew were there.
I decided to lean into a lifelong habit of mine—drawing shoes—and turn it into a company, Chris Donovan Footwear.
I’m very grateful that I took the path I did and I’m very happy that my first fashion class was a night course at RISD CE. If you’re thinking about taking a class, don’t hesitate. It’s life affirming.”
—Chris Donovan, RISD CE student
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