Vitus Shell

Vitus Shell is an Assistant Professor of Art at the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM), part of the College of Arts, Education, and Sciences. He joined the faculty in Fall 2024, bringing extensive experience from prior academic roles including Visiting Assistant Professor at Louisiana Tech University (2020–2022) and adjunct positions at ULM and Grambling State University. His artistic and academic work centers on the Black experience, identity, civil rights, and contemporary Black culture.

His research and creative practice focus on mixed-media collage painting that deconstructs and reassembles cultural narratives. Through powerful visual language, Shell explores themes of agency, representation, and resilience in Black communities. His work employs sampling and remixing techniques to interrogate historical and contemporary issues in African American life.

The recent articles and exhibitions highlight a consistent engagement with identity, memory, and social justice. His work spans solo and group exhibitions across the U.S., often in university galleries, museums, and cultural centers, reflecting a strong presence in both academic and public art spheres. Themes of nostalgia, resistance, visibility, and community are recurrent, demonstrating a deep commitment to cultural storytelling and artistic activism.

• Joan Mitchell MFA Award
• Louisianan of the Year, Artist (2021, Louisiana Life Magazine)

Vitus Shell has mentored students through teaching roles in drawing, painting, and portfolio development, though no formal graduate advisees are listed. He has secured competitive grants and residencies, including support from the Joan Mitchell Foundation and Bemis Center, reflecting strong external recognition. He has also served as a juror, guest speaker, and advisor for arts organizations, contributing to broader academic and community engagement.

He is co-director of Outside Gallery in Monroe, LA, and president of The Black Creatives Circle of North Louisiana, demonstrating active leadership in local arts infrastructure. His public art projects, including murals for the National Civil Rights Museum and various community spaces, reflect a commitment to accessible, socially engaged art.