Last week President-elect Maeda spoke at the Providence Business Expo about how to build on President Mandle’s legacy and the connections that link RISD (the institution), the students and the community. our.risd reader Thina Paone read John Kostrzewa’s Providence Journal article on John’s talk and sent this message to our mailbox. Thank you Thina!
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Hi John,

A few days ago, I came across an article talking about the new President of RISD. I thought: Japanese. Interesting…MIT. Of course…

I was born in Brazil, I am half Japanese, half Italian. Maeda is a very common last name among the Japanese descendent community in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

I moved to RI 10 years ago. Everybody here seems to be very excited about you. I’m too! I had to check you out at the school’s web site. I watched your video. You seem to speak “universal” English. Simplicity that can be understood and has the power to motivate. I can see how you can inspire people to walk with you on your journey.

As John Kostrzewa from the Prov Journal wrote, during your speech at the Business Expo, you “came across as a creative ball of energy. He was insightful, inspired, perceptive and entertaining. He connected with the audience…”. So important to connect. I am writing because I, too, felt connected with the way you perceive art. It IS a pain. It HAS to come out. I took lessons from a brilliant Brazilian painter named Alfredo Pinatti years ago…. I am considering going back to that. I feel that if an artist doesn’t express his/her pain, as you so well describe it, it turns against you, plays opposite - instead of liberating, it cripples.

Thank you for the inspiration, and welcome to Rhode Island,
Thina Paone