Samantha Russell

Personal Pronouns

She/her/they/them

Describe what you do for work and how your experience with it has been.

In the spirit of dress for the job you want I introduce myself first as an artist and researcher, even though neither of those titles pay the bills. However, maintaining that I introduce myself as an artist and researcher feeds my soul and keeps the momentum of my making. I do paid work in whatever field pays my bills without crushing my soul, like hospitality, art spaces, and retail. So far, it has worked for me, that is not to say it doesn’t have his stresses, but it is what works for me.

How did you get your job?

Since graduating in 2017, the jobs I have held outside of the art world I simply applied for, however, the jobs I have had within the art world I know I only achieved through networking.

What inspires you/your work?

Tactile/emotive human experience

How do you network yourself and your art?

Poorly…. But I did join a local Artist Collective and I try very hard to post on social media regularly.

What was your experience living in the Twin Cities? Any hidden treasures?

I was a rough fit for the twin cities, but I do miss my friends at Ink Lab tattoo shop in uptown, and the cities' crusty little punk scene.

How did you hear about MCAD?

As I was wrapping up my BFA, I searched the Internet for colleges across America that had a Master of Fine Arts with a focus on sculpture, then I narrowed it down based on who had a foundry and who offered private studio space. I went from over 100 options down to completing five applications and MCAD was one of them.

Why did you choose MCAD for your MFA?

Why I chose to apply at MCAD is because they had a foundry, though small, and offered private studio spaces for their students. Why I attended MCAD is because of the five applications I sent out they were the one that accepted me.

Who was your mentor and what was your relationship like?

Gretchen Gasterland-Gustafsson- she understood me as an artist and a person and was able to give me the support I needed as well as call me out when I was being a brat. She understood that I needed a more informal structure and quickly recognized my anti-authoritative, curmudgeonly personality, and found ways to get me to do what needed to be done. Gretchen was probably the best thing that happened to me while I was at MCAD.

Describe the work that you make.

My work has always been incredibly process dependent. Since graduating, I have leaned more into my “craft” based making than the foundry as I have found that it brings me greater joy and expresses my concepts of bodily experience more accurately.

Best thing you ever found on the free shelf?

Star Wars tauntaun hoodie!

Favorite MCAD facility?

3D shop

What did you enjoy most about your MFA experience?

Having a designated 3-D shop to work in and gallery space to hang in contemplate my work all spittin distance from my studio.

What advice do you have for current MCAD students and/or artists at the beginning of their creative careers?

Try the thing you do not think you will like, but also listen to your joy and work in a way that makes you happy

What would you tell students considering pursuing an MFA degree?

Your success will be dependent on your willingness to put in the work.