Alyssa Stevens: Exploring Nostalgia in Digital and Contemporary Landscapes

Alyssa Stevens’ art feels like a quiet meditation on memory, emotion, and transformation — an exploration of liminal spaces within time, and tradition that bleeds into technology. Rooted in Cubism but infused with a deeply personal lens, her work reverberates with the warmth of nostalgia and the tension of chaotic moments.

Her journey through the traditional and digital art worlds is marked by a rare vulnerability and thoughtful insight, qualities that have earned her a respected place in the NFT and Web3 communities. Featured by NFT Now and exhibited at prestigious venues like SuperChief Gallery, ALLSHIPS, Wannenes Auction House, and Shillr & Unfold Gallery, Alyssa is a medium between art worlds, unafraid to question and evolve.

Reflecting on her journey through the NFT “gold rush” and its aftermath, Stevens offers a candid, nuanced perspective on the realities of the Web3 ecosystem.

“At first, I thought the whole Web3 ecosystem brought so much opportunity to artists, and that it seemed easier to get in and start making money right away. But over time, I’ve realized it’s actually pretty difficult to make a name. It takes a lot of time, building relationships and gaining trust.”

What seemed like an accessible open frontier, she explains, has taken on the familiar structures of gatekeeping — echoing the traditional art world. Her work draws from deeply personal, liminal spaces — memories and sensations that hover between the conscious and subconscious.

“My work is very led by emotion and intuition. It takes me to places I’ve been before — not always in this lifetime. Childhood places, like closets or doors that feel like portals. I’m still trying to figure out why they’re important.”

One image from her oil pastel series Yellow Slide captures this haunting nostalgia:

“ A piece that I just sold,‘cherry coke exploding in the freezer aisle’ (all my titles are kind of crazy like that), really takes me back to this grocery store I went to with my grandma as a kid. It’s so random, but I think about that store all the time. I imagine it completely dark and empty, and me standing alone in one aisle. It feels like an in-between place — between Earth and whatever else — a meeting spot for me and my grandma. I don’t fully understand it, but making art helps me try to process what it means.”

This blend of intimacy and mystery invites viewers into a sacred space of memory and feeling.

Stevens’s earliest NFT collection, Interconnected Planes, emerged from a difficult period marked by frustration and self-reflection.

“When I made that work, I had no idea anyone would see it, so I could create freely and authentically, which is so important to me. I was stuck in a corporate job I hated, and that frustration came through in the pieces — questioning why everything revolves around money and weird hierarchies. It was like therapy — a way to express anger and sadness.”

Alyssa working on a Nouns commission at ‘World of Apps’

A group photo of some of the participants at ‘World of Apps’.

Alyssa Stevens collaborated with Vinnie Hager on a skateboard deck artwork for the Nouns ’World of Apps. event. Left to Right: Benjamin Latsko; Vinnie Hager, Alyssa Stevens

The raw emotion of these early works remains a thread that runs through all her art.

Legacy, once a distant thought, has taken on new meaning for Stevens.

“I never really thought about legacy before, but now I do. I want to remind people of the importance of art and creativity. Imagine a world without movies, museums, or public installations — it would be so bleak.”

Her words underline the vital role of creativity in human life and well-being. It acts as a restorative sanctuary for emotional expression and a catalyst for connection, providing a vital lifeline for mental health. Through mindful and soulful exploration, creativity offers a unique form of therapy—empowering individuals to process emotions, build resilience, and bridge the gap between their inner worlds and external realities. As a universal language, creativity sustains psychological health and stands as a deeply humanizing force that enriches our shared experience.

Looking ahead, Stevens envisions a future where art transcends traditional boundaries to become immersive and interactive.

“I’d love to see more immersive art — not just looking at art but experiencing it, being inside it, interacting with it. That kind of art can bring in people who might not usually care about art. It makes it fun and accessible.”

She also hopes to expand her practice beyond galleries by launching a brand with curated capsule collections of clothing and jewelry — art people can live with daily. This vision reflects her desire to make art more accessible and integrated into everyday life, transforming it from something traditionally confined to walls into wearable, tangible expressions of creativity. By merging fine art with fashion and design, Stevens aims to create meaningful connections between people and her work, allowing her audience to carry pieces of her emotional and nostalgic worlds with them. It’s a way to democratize art, breaking down barriers and inviting new forms of interaction and personal storytelling through her unique perspective.

Alyssa Stevens embodies a beautiful example of vulnerability. Her art, rooted in memory and emotion, slip through the cracks of physical and digital worlds—offering a deeply personal journey through time, space, and feeling.

Writing and photography by Josh Sauceda.