Mark Priest is a figurative painter and professor. Priest teaches a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses in painting and drawing. He mentors BFA and MFA students in studio practice, technique, and analysis. Through this mentorship and instruction, he fosters the development of emerging artists while maintaining a rigorous curriculum grounded in both contemporary and historical approaches to figure painting and drawing.​

Priest’s expertise as a figurative artist complements his scholarly work, which centers on narrative paintings depicting pivotal moments in African American history, particularly those related to the Underground Railroad and freedom seekers. His dual role as a practitioner and educator enables him to integrate first-hand research and creative process into his teaching, offering students unique access to his deep understanding of narrative construction and historical context.​