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Sam ClarkSam is a full-time ceramic sculptor living in Madison, Mississippi, and the instructor for the online class Sculpted Clay Creatures.
He has a degree in Graphic Design from Delta State University and a Master's degree from Savannah College of Art and Design, in Sequential art. It was after the Higher education that the real learning began. Clay became his teacher. Sam is a self-taught ceramic artist who learned skills by attending workshops and regularly experimenting with the clay, pushing it to bring his imagined creations into the world. Wild drawings full of gesture and life began to spill out of his sketchbook taking shape in the clay. These sculptures are a way to reconnect the viewer with the wonder of a child. Sam found inspiration deep in the woods imagining what creatures would he find on his exploration. His art today echoes those times of adventure. |
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Sam began participating in Juried art shows In 2002, working out of his home studio creating dragons and other wild clay creations, and sharing them with the world. During this time, before becoming a full time artist in 2016, for thirteen years Sam worked as the ceramic workshop manager for the non-profit organization the Mustard Seed, a community for special needs individuals. Kilns were maintained, classes taught, and a lot of great art was made. The Mustard Seed is a wonderful place to practice faith and art. Sam still enjoys going back to volunteer and visit.
Through the years Sam has sold work through galleries and in-person events and won several awards, the most recent award being the legacy award in 2023 at the 45th Peter Anderson Art Festival. Along with doing Crafts fairs, Sam has been able to share his process and love of sculpting through private classes and workshops. One of the most exciting opportunities came in 2023 to be a presenter for the first Mississippi Clay Conference, on stage hand building a large dragon sculpture. To be able to share the love of clay and story telling and imagination was a very special event. Clay is so versatile there are so many directions an artist can take it. If you can imagine it you can make it. Sam is spending each month in high production mode and making a living from the things that bring him joy. Every day is a clay day. |
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Examples of Sam's work
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