Maddalena Willis is a fine artist from Midway, Utah. In 2025, Maddalena Willis earned a BFA in Painting with a Minor in Earth Science from Utah Valley University, where she was an honors student and art gallery intern. Her academic excellence was recognized with the Dean’s Distinguished Student Award and an Outstanding Thesis Award for her honors capstone. She is now preparing to apply to MFA programs to further her interdisciplinary artistic practice.

Maddalena’s work is deeply influenced by her diverse background in dance, geology, and Italian culture. She primarily works with oil paint on large canvases, creating evocative and textured compositions. Her practice also extends to batik making, photography, performance art, and the use of found objects, allowing her to explore a wide range of artistic expressions. At the core of her artistic philosophy, Maddalena challenges the false self, seeking to strip away its layers in pursuit of authenticity. Through her work, she invites others to look within, confront limitations, and embrace more genuine connections.