Steffanie L. Samuels is a graduate from the University of Michigan. Prior to working in oil painting and
mixed media, she was an award-winning ceramic sculptor. Her work was displayed in national galleries,
museums, books and magazines. She lectured and gave workshops throughout the country.
Though her medium has changed, her artistic vision has remained on track. Social justice, climate change, and women’s rights are at the core of her work. While some pieces appear humorous, there are underlying meanings found in the titles. Others just say what they mean. Abstract painting has been her current focus.
Ms. Samuels works with a variety of mediums including oil paint, cold wax medium, printmaking, oil
pastels, oil pastel pencils, charcoal, acrylic paints and found objects. She has exhibited in numerous
exhibitions including a solo show at the Ferndale Public Library. The FPL purchased a piece for their
permanent collection.
Contact Steffanie directly at steff.samuels@gmail.com
Education
1983 University of Michigan, B.A. with Honors, Asian Studies/Studio Art
Selected Exhibitions
2022 “Michigan Annual XLIX”, Anton Art Center, Statewide Competition
Madison Heights, Michigan
2021 “Emergence”, Group Exhibition, KickstART Gallery
Farmington, Michigan
2021 “36th Annual Our Town Art Show”, Virtual Group Exhibition, Community House Art Gallery
Birmingham, Michigan
1999 “Contemporary American Ceramics”, Group Exhibition, Loveland Museum of Art
Loveland, Colorado
1998 “Tiles and Wall Platters”, Solo exhibition, Owen Patrick Gallery
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1997 “New Work”, Solo Exhibition, del mano Gallery
Los Angeles, California
Awards
Certificate of Excellence in Three Dimensional Art, Washtenaw Council for the Arts, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Certificate of Excellence, The International Competition, N.Y.C., New York
Certificate of Excellence, Metro Art, U.S.A. Competition, Los Angeles, California
Archie Bray Foundation, Artist-in-Residence, Helena, Montana
Artpark, Artist-in-Residence Grant, Lewiston, New York
Permanent Collections
Blue Cross/Blue Shield Corporation Headquarters, Detroit, MI
William Grenewald, Former director of the American Craft Council, New York City, New York
Strauss and Levine, Los Angeles, California
Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, Montana
Hutzel Hospital, Detroit, Michigan
St. Johns Hospital, Detroit, Michigan
Lectures and Workshops
Eastern Michigan University, Lecture and Workshop, Ypsilanti, Michigan
Wayne State University, Lecture and Workshop, Detroit, Michigan
Holter Art Museum, Lecture, Helena, Montana
Center for Creative Studies, Lecture and Workshop, Detroit, Michigan
Artpark, Worksbop, Lewsiston, New York
Publications
2021 The Jewish News, Magazine Article featuring my work in the “36th Annual Our Town Art Show” Written by Suzanne Chessler, pgs 1, 41-42
2000 Ceramics for the Landscape and Garden, book published in Great Britain by A & C Black, Written by Karin Hessenberg. Photos taken in my studio by Karin Hessenberg. pg. 70
1998 The Best of Pottery, Volume 2, Quarry Books, Gloucester, Massachusetts Curated by Chrisotpher Gustin and Angela Fina, pg. 117
1997 The Best of Pottery, Quarry Books, Gloucester, Massachusetts, Curated Jonathon Fairbanks and Angela Fina, Book cover and pg. 11
Work Experience
2015 – Present Studio Artist, Maintaining a studio filled with found objects, vintage collections, oil and acrylic paints, cold wax medium, gel prints, etc. Showing my work in gallery exhibitions, applying for artists-in-residencies working with mixed media after a successful 20 year career in ceramics.
2000 – 2015 Director of Marketing and Communications, University of Michigan Trauma Burn
Coordinated public and media relations for local and international broadcast, web and print. Produced national and international award-winning video for injury prevention and fire safety.
1984 – 2000 Business Owner, “Steffanie Samuels Ceramics”, maintained a successful wholesale and retail business, exhibiting my artwork nationally in museums, galleries, and competitions.
Volunteering
Currently serving on The Green Committee, National Council of Jewish Women-Michigan, We are working on making mats for the homeless by knitting or crocheting used plastic bags. In the future we will be fighting the Enron Pipeline that runs under the Mackinaw Straights into the Great Lakes through the state legislature.
Former member of the City of Ann Arbor Disabilities Rights Commission, We brought forth studies and proposals to the city council to extend the rights for the disabled.
Former Board Member of the Original Street Art Fair Board of Directors, Planned the exhibition from beginning to end including jurying thousands of entrys, selection of poster and t-shirt design, award winners, etc.
Former volunteer at the Student Advocacy Center, Ypsilanti and Jackson, Michigan, trained to become an advocate for K-12 students with special needs. Advocated for families directly with the special education department and the school and attended disciplinary hearings at the courts.
Former Board of Director of Wild Swan Theater, Ann Arbor, Michigan, This was a children’s theatre company who presented original plays to the community.
Contact: steff.samuels@gmail.com
