About
Elissa Armstrong is an associate professor in the Department of Craft/Material Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts). From 2009–20 she served as the director of VCUarts’ Art Foundation Program.
She has been invited to present her research on a range of pedagogical topics including first year art and design education and Generation Z at national and international conferences including College Art Association, Foundations in Art: Theory & Education, International Society for Education Through Art, Mid-American College Art Association, and SECAC. Armstrong’s ceramic work has been featured in numerous galleries and museums including two NCECA Annual Exhibitions (upcoming 2024 & 2020), the Fuller Craft Museum, the Clay Studio and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and she has been an artist in residence at residencies including the Vermont Studio Center, Penland School of Craft and Medalta. Her book with coauthor, Mariah Doren, Let's Talk about Critique: reimagining art and design education, was published August 2023, by Intellect Press, UK and the University of Chicago Press, USA.
She was awarded a 2018 Canadian Art Council Grant and was honored with a VCUarts Distinguished Faculty Service Award. Recent national professional service includes election to two board terms and service as President of the National Council of Arts Administrators board, as well as an appointed term on the College Art Association’s Council of Readers.
Armstrong received her MFA in ceramics from Alfred University; her BFA in ceramics from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design & Sheridan College; her BA in English literature and art history from Queen’s University; and her B.Ed. in English literature and visual arts from the University of Western Ontario.