Learn more about Sam

Favorite restaurant: 

I'm going to go with a dependable hometown fav - The Evergreen, in downtown Syracuse, NY.  A stellar menu (food and beer), casual comfortable setting, owned and operated by really great humans.

Ideal day off from work: 

I'll start off by getting into my studio to work on a sculpture/ drawing/painting, then enjoy a long lunch with friends, followed by a treasure-hunting whirl around my local second-hand store.  Finally, I'll pick up my kiddo early from afterschool for a little bonus quality time with her.

One thing you do every weekend without fail: 

Family time for my daughter to spend time with all/some subset of her 7 cousins who live locally.

Always start the work day with:

All I can truthfully say: coffee.

Books you always recommend: 

Anything Roald Dahl or Rebecca Solnit. I recommend Solnit's a Field Guide to Getting Lost.

My college degree is in: 

My undergraduate degree is in sculpture, and I have an MFA in visual arts and an MA in modern and contemporary art history. While the third is the study of art, the first two were focused on the practice of making art.

Favorite travel spot to-date:

I choose...Italy! I'm extremely grateful to have studied abroad one semester in Florence while in undergrad. I'm realizing as I type this that this was nearly 15 years ago, so I'm much overdue on returning!

Professional advice you were once given that you'd continue to give to others: 

As you go through your career, relationships are going to be central to your professional health/success. Handle them with care, follow through, and lead with gratitude.