Evan Kitson

Evan Kitson is an Adjunct Instructor and part-time faculty member in the Fine Art Department at the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design (PCA&D), where he also serves as Model Coordinator. A 2010 PCA&D alumnus with a BFA in Illustration, he holds an MFA from the New York Academy of Art and has taught at prestigious institutions including the Art Students League of New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Studio Incamminati. He splits his time between Lancaster, PA, and New York, NY, maintaining an active studio practice centered on the human form, anatomical studies, and the symbolic representation of life and death.

• BFA, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design
• MFA, New York Academy of Art
• Studio apprenticeship with Odd Nerdrum

Kitson’s research and teaching focus on figurative representation, life modeling as performative practice, and the integration of anatomical precision in artistic training. He emphasizes observational drawing from live models over photographic references, advocating for the dynamic, collaborative energy that enhances students’ representational skills and creative adaptability. His pedagogy is deeply aligned with diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, ensuring that life models reflect a broad spectrum of body types, skin tones, and identities to better prepare students for contemporary artistic practice.

While no formal publications or scientific articles are listed, Kitson’s artistic output functions as scholarly inquiry through exhibitions and studio-based research. His work explores themes of mortality, identity, and transformation, often using silverpoint, graphite, and oil media. These recurring motifs across exhibitions suggest a sustained investigation into the intersection of art, anatomy, and existential reflection.

He has received recognition through numerous solo and group exhibitions at venues such as the Demuth Museum, Abend Gallery, Booth Gallery, and the North Museum. Notable exhibitions include A Matter of Light and Death, Emergence: Exploring the Art of Transformation, and faculty shows at the New York Academy of Art. He is currently an Artist in Residence at the North Museum in Lancaster, PA.

Kitson advises students informally through studio instruction and mentoring, both in-person and online via The Open Sketchbook. He has contributed to curriculum development at PCA&D, particularly in refining life model training and interview processes to support inclusive and effective learning environments. He also co-curated exhibitions, demonstrating leadership in academic and artistic programming.

He is actively involved in the life model program at PCA&D, overseeing recruitment, training, and scheduling of approximately 20 active models. This role supports foundational and advanced coursework across disciplines, reinforcing PCA&D’s commitment to experiential learning and representational diversity. Kitson also teaches courses such as Expressive Figure Illustration and participates in professional development through lectures at institutions like Parsons School of Design and Millersville University.