Alessandra
Alessandra is an artist and operations manager who has built a career at the intersection of education and community. Her professional experience includes esteemed institutions such as The Whitney Museum of American Art, The Shubert Organization, Children’s Fairyland, and Ets-Hokin Studios. In her current role she serves as Operations Manager atFirst Graduate, a San Francisco-based nonprofit supporting students on the path to becoming the first in their families to graduate from college.
“As an artist, people often ask me what my favorite medium is, and my answer is always the same: anything I can get my hands on.”
Collaboration
Stories of Space - Uplift Aerospace
I’m proud to say I’ve had my first piece of poetry published–- not just published, but laser-inscribed into a 5D crystal and launched to the moon where it will be preserved for potentially millions of years!
In 2025, The Stories of Space project partnered with Uplift Aerospace and Astrolab to preserve thousands of stories on the Moon. 3,237 messages from students, teachers, community members, and a small group of visionary leaders, were collected in an effort to capture who we are as humanity at this moment in time.
Through Uplift Aerospace's Starborn Academy, middle school and K-12 students across districts in Utah, Colorado, California, and other regions participate in project-based space science and coding. Moon Mission students didn’t just “learn about space.” They built Python time capsules, practiced real technical skills, explored careers, and saw their work become part of a real lunar mission. The crystal was integrated on @Astrolab_Space's FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform (FLIP) rover in February 2026, along with a mission patch and artwork by @DrSianProctor.
This is among the first mission patches to return to the Moon since the Apollo era! Stories of Space helped collect messages globally, with additional patches and collaborative messaging from the Institute Of Noetic Sciences, Global Consciousness Project 2.0, and @SpaceHumanity.
Thank you to all who have supported this mission to inspire and engage students, bringing incredible career path opportunities to thousands and shaping the people who will shape humanity’s future in space.
For more information on the project, click here.
Collaboration
‘Pyramid Pioneers’ at Howl Arts
When I was asked to mat and frame the photographs by the esteemed Lynn M. Grabowski for Howl Art’s exhibit, ‘Pyramid Pioneers', I replied with an undoubted and emphatic “Yes!”
The Pyramid Club, known for nurturing emerging talent, was a space where legendary performers like Madonna and RuPaul first graced the stage. It was truly an honor to be involved in the preservation of such an iconic cultural epicenter that played a pivotal role in shaping the artistic landscape of New York City.
Opening night was a celebration of the club’s lasting legacy, featuring a book signing and reading from ‘We Started a Nightclub’. The gallery was packed with people eager to experience the exhibition, which showcased a stunning array of media, illustrating the vibrant and eclectic nightlife of the Pyramid Club throughout the 1980s. Being part of the preservation of this legendary venue, where groundbreaking art and performances flourished, was a deeply meaningful experience for me. It underscored my passion for ensuring that spaces where art, culture, and community intersect continue to thrive for future generations.
HOWL Arts! - 2024
Public Art
A bird’s eye view of Mill Valley by me and my father, David Wills - 2011
My father and I were commissioned to paint this mural on the side of a friend’s house in the Haight. You can find this mural by standing on Clayton St. and Hayes St. and looking towards the Panhandle in San Francisco.
Collaboration
It was an honor to assist in the screen-printing event for my good friend Flloyd, whose solo show entitled ‘Dicks and Divas’ was on exhibition at Howl Arts in New York City in the Fall of 2023.
“Unapologetic, persistent, and honest – Flloyd’s current work concerns itself with erotic desire, the muse, and modulation.”
Senior Thesis Exhibition
‘Memento Mori’, Mills College Art Museum - 2022
Tools to Dismantle - ‘Spray’ and ‘Cut’ - Acrylic on canvas
‘To Return’ - Digital photograph
‘Connected’ - Digital illustration
Each piece matted and framed by Alessandra.
Custom Framing
As the Studio Manager of Ets-Hokin Studios I had the opportunity of apprenticing the award winning portrait photographer Joshua Ets-Hokin, and specialized in custom matting and framing. During this time I also provided custom framing and matting services for numerous local photographers and printers.
Learn more about Josua at Etshokin.com
Community
Pamela Parker and the Roosters Live at the New Farm SF - 2021
As a co-founder of the New Farm SF, this cultural hub is very near and dear to my heart. Serving the cities youth as a free all ages music venue and urban garden and education center, the New Farm provides a practice space and performance venue for local talent and is home to two native plant nurseries as well as a gaggle of chickens and goats.
Film
Flavia Elisa Mora - Murals as a Form of Resistance in San Francisco - 2021
Join Flavia Mora and I on a walk through the Mission District of San Francisco as Flavia tells her story as a poet, artist and activist.
Produced by yours truly.
Film
In Memory of Rainbow - A Haight Street Icon - 2018
Rainbow is a local character that embodies the essence of San Francisco’s iconic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. I’m glad I took the time to film this short bio pic so that his joy and creativity can be remembered for years to come.
Produced by Alessandra, featuring David Wills.
Film
Occupy Oakland - Interviews 2011
In 2011 I interviewed people at Occupy Oakland, one of the largest Occupy Wall Street movements in the USA and documented my first hand account of the movement. In this short film main themes are clear; the people are fed up with economic inequality and corporate greed. This was my first project as a self taught video editor.
Costume Construction
Gregangelo Velocity Circus 2011
I constructed these 15 foot tall body suits for stilt walking circus performers during my time as a costuming intern at Gregangelo’s Velocity Circus. Made of velcro and battery powered luminous orbs this project was a fun challenge.
Observational Drawing
‘Toil’ - Pencil on paper, 18”x24” - 2010
Throughout the years I have enjoyed the way my many skills merge and interact. This drawing combines my love of costume construction and observational drawing.