Alvin Sella was born in West Hoboken, New Jersey, of Italian parents. He did his professional studies at Yale School of Fine Arts, Art Students League of New York, Columbia University School of Arts, Syracuse University College of Fine Arts, University of New Mexico Department of Art, and independent study and travel in Mexico. From 1944 to 1947 he lived, studied, and painted in an old Franciscan Monastery in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico. In 1946 his work was accepted by the Director of the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, and was given a one-man show there.

Carlos Merida wrote the prologue and one of his comments was: "Sella has fertile imagination, variety, and is a colorist of first quality." Stuart Preston, critic of the New York Times, said of his work: "As an instigator of 'atmosphere,' he is to be much admired and is significantly and intelligently indebted to contemporary Mexican painting."

Carlyle Burrows, critic of The New York Herald Tribune. said: "In eliminating much, in using color tastefully and in giving each work balance and understanding its realism, Mr. Sella proves he has gone far towards achieving recognition and popularity." From 1948 to 1961, he was Artist-in-Residence and head of the Art Department of Sullins College in Bristol, Virginia. In 1960 he was nominated (HON). Fellow of the International Institute of Arts and letters and was a life member of the Art Students League of New York and Professor Emeritus of Art at the University of Alabama.

He painted mainly in Mexico, New York, Virginia and lived in Alabama. He had a number of one-man shows in New York City at the Contemporary Arts Gallery, Creative Gallery and Crespi Gallery; also in museums, and university art galleries in the United States and Mexico. He has won a number of prizes and awards and is represented in many private and public collections. He has been affiliated with Frank Fedele Galleryin New York City. In 1999, The University of Alabama Society of the Fine Arts, awarded Professor Sella the Distinguished Arts Career Award.