Tristan Becker Alva
On May 26, 1999, Tristan Alva was born with a creative and curious spirit. As soon as he could hold a pen, art flowed out of him like a river. He quickly became a limitless artist—an animator, sculptor, musician, songwriter, and nature lover. His passion for storytelling extended across every medium: playing piano, guitar, and bass, performing as the lead in his sixth-grade school play, writing music and poetry, singing, and creating films with his little sister. His art was even featured in Dear Mr. Watterson, a tribute to the creator of Calvin and Hobbes, Tristan’s favorite comic.
In sixth grade, Tristan auditioned for the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA)—his dream school. He was overjoyed to be accepted and began in the Visual Arts Conservatory before becoming a founding student in the Digital Arts Conservatory, where he pursued his dream of “bringing his drawings to life.” For four years, he dedicated himself to animation, culminating in his graduation as part of OCSA’s Digital Media Conservatory Class of 2017. From there, he took the next big leap, earning acceptance into the top-ranked Experimental Animation program at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts).
Tristan was born to create, and at CalArts, he thrived. He was awarded the prestigious Roy O. Disney Scholarship and found inspiration in a diverse community of artists from around the world. His work reflected a unique ability to find beauty in darkness and the mundane—art was his outlet, his sanctuary, and his way of making sense of the world.
From a young age, Tristan faced challenges with mental health. Diagnosed with ADHD at seven, he later navigated depression, anxiety, and insomnia. With the support of his loving family, he worked to balance school, creativity, relationships, and his well-being, always turning to art as a means of healing. However, as with so many who struggle, Tristan’s journey was not easy. As he grew older, he faced the complexities of mental health treatment and, ultimately, began self-medicating. The stigma surrounding addiction made it difficult for him to seek help. Despite the unwavering love of his family and friends, the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on him. And yet, even in his hardest moments, he never stopped creating. His sketchbooks remained full, his songwriting deepened, and his dream of becoming a professional artist never wavered.
With just one semester remaining before earning his BFA in Experimental Animation, Tristan tragically passed away on July 21, 2021, at the age of 22, due to an accidental overdose. His passing left an unimaginable void in the lives of those who loved him. But this is not where his story ends.
In Tristan’s honor, we founded the Tristan Alva Alliance—a mission to ensure that others struggling with mental health challenges have access to the care and support they need. His story is one of both resilience and heartbreak, a reminder of the urgent need for mental health resources that are not only available but accessible. We know that many will see themselves, a friend, or a loved one in Tristan’s journey. Our hope is that his life serves as a beacon of light, guiding those in need toward help, hope, and healing.
