My name is King, I’m a multidisciplinary artist based in Providence, RI, currently pursuing his BArch at the Rhode Island School of Design. Originally from Rochester, NY. From 6 years old I've been passionate about sequential arts making comics. I've intensively studied Japanese animanga and this trip will allow me to do first hand research. I was grateful to receive a scholarship to help make this dream possible, but I still have some important costs to cover before I can go. I have important travel payments, as well as material costs, book costs and more. The Course is from: Jun 4, 2026 — Jun 25, 2026, in addition to my stay in Tokyo I'll be using this opportunity to explore other parts of Asia. The support in any way shape or form does not go unnoticed, and any contributions are welcomed, no matter the size!
Growing up manga and anime has impacted me in ways that I can’t explain. Pokemon was the foundation, and this love has grown into an intense appreciation for Japanese cinema, cuisine, television programs, anime, manga, video games, music, etc. My work ethic, perspective, personal style, and identity is constantly impacted by these intimate stories— so naturally I've been invested in studying, creating, and supporting everything Manga. This course will take place in the heart of the manga and anime industry, Tokyo, in collaboration with industry professionals and HAL: College of Technology and Design, a leading arts institution with a comprehensive Manga, Anime, and Illustration undergraduate and graduate program. The program will be led by a team of industry professionals spanning various disciplines related to manga and anime.
King Da Rosa-Meulens (b. 2005, Brooklyn, New York) is an artist from Rochester best known for his multidisciplinary art practice. Working in the mediums of painting, illustration, architecture and music, King uses raw, bold, and passionate storytelling to present complex narratives and spaces. Tradition, Texture, and Teaching at the crux of his arts practice. Tradition in repetition, there’s a ritual aspect to replaying his music, reading his comics, engaging in his curated exhibitions, installations, or architectural spaces. Texture and prioritizing sensual experiences, bodily sensations, and haptic materiality. From layers of paint, to dense chord progressions, intricate building typologies, and beyond. Teaching, researching, and exploring his own truths, thoughts, and intuitions. His work invites you to examine your own perspectives, unapologetically inspires, and promotes a deeper understanding of the self. Meulens is the Communications Chair of Black Artists and Designers (BAAD) at RISD. He also served as the communications chair of the NAACP Camden County East Youth Council prior to attending RISD. As a student leader on campus he facilitates safe spaces, student organizing, and promotes art in the service of activism. Alongside Karma Johnson and Khalil McKnight, King curated RISD’s third Black Biennial, a multidisciplinary exhibition bringing together Black artists from RISD and the surrounding community. Showcasing materials, textures, and imagery that celebrates Black communities around the world. In May of 2025 he modeled in RISD’s Apparel Design Seniors Showcase, featuring as a model in Vogue Runway.
Infinite Blessings, Infinite Thanks
King