CV/Resume
Sam Azzaro | [email protected] | Lawrence, KS
Sam Azzaro is a Midwest based artist focused on intersectionality, queerness, and the strange and unusual in their personal work. Focusing on the weird spaces and phases in between the world and oneself, Sam communicates their ideas through traditional and digital illustration, paintings, photography, graphic design, and sculpture. Sam plans to expand their art with their unique interests and connections as a proud out queer person. They are inspired by the works of Bill Crisafi, John Brosio, Cassils, Lola Flash, Kiki Smith, Jacob Tobia, Alok Vaid-Menon, and ND Stevenson.
Professionally, Sam Azzaro is a dedicated visual artist with a decorated background in a variety of artistic mediums. They are highly experienced in illustration, social media content creation, and gallery management. Sam is adept at working independently and collaboratively on multiple projects and committed to achieving visual innovation, accessibility, and connection. Sam’s professional endeavors include graphic design work, communication planning, photography, and project management while providing excellent customer service to a multitude of stakeholders and the target audience.
EDUCATION
2021 - Masters of Science in Education - Higher Education Administration, University of Kansas
2019 - Bachelors of Fine Arts - Painting / Diversity Leadership Certificate, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
SKILLS
Painting (All Mediums)
Drawing
Digital Illustration
Graphic Design
Photography (Film & Digital)
Sculpture / Metal Work
Customer Service
Communications Planning
Social Media Content Creation & Management
RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
2014 - Present -- Owner, Mx of Bizarre
November 2023 - Present -- Gallery Assistant, Art Love Collective, Lawrence, KS
April 2022 - Present — Director of Marketing, Coalition of Sexuality and Gender Identities, ACPA
Nov 2020 - Nov 2021 — Chair for Public Relations, Higher Education Student Association, University of Kansas
Jan 2019 - May 2019 — Sculpture Studio Assistant, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Arts Dept, Whitewater, WI
Dec 2016 - Mar 2018 — Media Specialist Supervisor, UWW University Housing ResNET, Whitewater, WI
Aug 2015 - May 2016 — P.B. Poorman Pride Resource Center Intern, UWW Career & Leadership Development, Whitewater, WI
Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 — Installation Intern, Eric and Heather ChanSchatz: 22nd Century Installation, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Madison, WI
June 2014 - October 2014 — Teacher's Assistant, Otto's Art Academy, Waukesha, WI
PARTNERS IN CRIME ART / REP’D BY:
2023 - Art Love Collective, Lawrence KS
CLIENTS
2023 - Lawrence Pride, Lawrence, KS - Lawrence Pride 23 Shirt Design
2023 - Present - Lawrence Burlesque Society, Lawrence, KS - Photographer
2019 - Summit Credit Union Headquarters, Cottage Grove, WI - Nursing Room Painting
PRESENTATIONS/CRITIQUES
2023
Members Only Critique / Presentation on “Holistic Critiques: What You Didn’t Learn in High School”, Art Love Collective, Lawrence, KS
Artist Talk, Art Love Collective, Lawrence, KS
2021
#DisabilityArt Showcase, University of Kansas Accessibility Office, Lawrence, KS
IN THE NEWS
2023
Art Love Collective aims to promote Lawrence creatives through an ‘inclusive environment with communal support” The Lawrence Times, April 28th, 2023
SOLO AND GROUP EXHIBITIONS / SHOWS
2023
October Final Friday Art Noir Show, Art Love Collective, Lawrence KS
August Final Friday Self Expression Show, Art Love Collective, Lawrence KS
May Final Friday Pride Art Show - Art & Queens, Art Love Collective, Lawrence KS
March Final Friday Women’s History Art Show, Art Love Collective, Lawrence KS
Art Love Collective Opening Members Showcase, Art Love Collective, Lawrence KS
2022
Lawrence Pride Art Show, Lawrence, KS
2021
#DisabilityArt Showcase, University of Kansas Accessibility Office, Lawrence, KS
2019
Senior BFA Exhibition, Crossman Gallery, Whitewater, WI
Student Juried Show, Crossman Gallery, Whitewater, WI (Juror: Glenn Williams, UW-Milwaukee Professor)
Capstone Presentation and Exhibition, The Wisconsin Women's and Gender Studies Conference and 4W Summit on Women, Gender, and Well-Being, Madison, WI
2018
Junior BFA Review, Crossman Gallery, Whitewater, WI
Exhibition and Market, TransLiberation Art Coalition, Madison, WI
Student Juried Show, Crossman Gallery, Whitewater, WI (Juror: Sarah Stolte, Director of Gallery 211 at Madison College)
Embodied Materials: Gender, Culture, and Lived Experience in Artists’ Mediums, The Wisconsin Women's and Gender Studies Conference and 4W Summit on Women, Gender, and Well-Being, Madison, WI
Reading Materials Exhibition, Crossman Gallery, Whitewater, WI
2017
Diverse Perspectives, Center of the Arts - UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI
Fran Achen Photography Competition, Whitewater Cultural Arts Center, Whitewater, WI
Student Juried Show, Crossman Gallery, Whitewater, WI (Juror: Jim Charles, Visual Arts Manager at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts)
2016
Student Juried Show, Crossman Gallery, Whitewater, WI (Juror: Derrick Buisch, Professor and Professional Artist)
2015
Student Juried Show, Crossman Gallery, Whitewater, WI (Juror: Nina Bednarski, Curator and Professional Artist)