When Nasser Alshemimry ‘07 looks back at his time at LAS, he describes it as having changed “the trajectory of [his] life.” A student from Saudi Arabia who spent four transformative years at LAS, Nasser recalls his time at LAS as being a really positive experience. He lived in the Savoy dorm throughout, developed lifelong friendships, and immersed himself in the international community of LAS. This community exposed him to new cultures, ideas, and ways of thinking; a stark contrast to the experiences of many of his peers back home.

“LAS gave me the freedom to explore, to improve my fluency in English, and to study cool, unique subjects,” he says. Higher-level History classes with Mr. Campanaro and Theory of Knowledge with Mr. Sharp are particularly memorable for Nasser. A cultural trip through Venice, Florence, and Pisa helped Nasser create lifelong memories, not just for the scenery, but because of Mr. Sharpe’s passionate teaching style. The two have remained in touch since Nasser graduated.

After LAS, Nasser’s academic path was varied. He dreamed of a diplomatic career while studying International Relations at Webster University. After learning that this field of study wasn’t eligible for Saudi Arabian scholarships, he had to change direction. A full-ride scholarship took him to the University of Miami to study engineering, but he ultimately settled on Economics and Philosophy, a decision that he describes as transformative. Philosophy helped him shed traditional mindsets and sharpen his critical thinking skills, which would later define his professional identity.

Nasser then returned to Saudi Arabia and joined his family’s industrial baking business, where he managed marketing, operations, and a team of 150. It was a high-pressure environment, and he learned a lot about himself both personally and professionally. Through this professional experience, he continued to develop his love of creativity, something he’d nurtured while exploring music and graphic design during university.

During Saudi Arabia’s 2015 cultural renaissance, Nasser saw an opportunity to use his creativity. When his family bakery sponsored the country’s first public music event, the experience opened his eyes to the potential of the music industry. Supported by his uncle, he left the family business to launch a niche start-up in the music and art sector.

The start-up focused on audio-visual consulting for art galleries and artists. A crash course in contemporary art in Germany gave him the knowledge to bring his new ideas back to Saudi Arabia. In 2019, he created Transcendence, the country’s first interactive audio-visual installation, which used floor sensors and motion algorithms to turn visitor movement into sound and visuals.

The pandemic was challenging for Nasser, but it also brought new experiences. Through a chance opportunity with Misk Art Institute, Nasser was featured in their “Day in the Life” initiative. This led to a monumental career achievement: a personal invitation from the CEO to design the entrance to a major national exhibition. The result was Transcendence 2.0, a 9m x 11m generative interactive Audiovisual experience powered by microphone sensors, LED Walls, and a sound system that is triggered by the observer's footsteps in the space. He led an 80-person team and synthesized Saudi Arabia's first AI-generated images.

A conversation on a bench with the Misk CEO, just before the exhibition opened, became the catalyst for numerous opportunities for Nasser. Today, he is a sought-after creative consultant and artist working at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s booming cultural scene. From living in the Savoy dorm to making cutting-edge New Media Art, Nasser’s story from LAS to the art world is inspiring. We are proud to have played even a small part in shaping Nasser’s innovative and creative mindset!
 

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