Sam St. John (She/her/hers)
Skills/Mediums: Art Teacher, Drawing, Mixed Media, Painting, Poetry, Social Justice Themes, Spoken Word
Member of ACW since: June 21, 2024
Biography
Sam St. John is an Indigenous multi-media artist from Hastings, Minnesota, who draws inspiration from her travels, nature, and her proximity to the Mississippi River. With an Associate degree in Fine Art, Sam is deeply passionate about the transformative power of art. Her work is rooted in storytelling, resilience, authenticity, and vulnerability.
Recently, Sam collaborated with the Minnesota Twins for the CityConnect Project, celebrating the release of their new uniforms by live-painting Adirondack chairs to be auctioned for nonprofits and youth programs. She also contributed to the Emma Norton Project, creating original artwork for women in transformational housing who face challenges such as homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse disorders, chronic illness, and trauma. Additionally, Sam has served as an art facilitator for a University of Minnesota and Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain case study, exploring the impact of creativity on the brain.
Sam has exhibited her work in the Northrup King Building for the Art for All exhibition in 2023. Sam also has exhibited her work at the Masonic Institute of Research for the Brain in 2023. Sam has collaborated with other artists on community events to create a space for artists to share their gifts. Sam was part of We Are the Medicine Moon Festival, Beyond Breakfast and Unity Presents. She is also a speaker, sharing her story and messages of hope to raise awareness about mental health within her community.