Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation Art Gallery
Sam Mastorides: A "Designer" First
Show Dates: June 8 - July 26
Reception: June 8, 5:00-7:00 pm
Sam Mastorides is an interdisciplinary artist whose work explores the intersections of nature, physical reality, and the fantastical. Based in Youngstown, Ohio, Mastorides is a BFA graduate of Youngstown State University.
SHOW STATEMENT
“A ‘Designer’ First”
When I came to Youngstown State University to study graphic design, I imagined jumping directly into design software and learning the basics of graphic design. Instead, I quickly learned that I couldn’t take the design courses I wanted until I completed a series of prerequisite art classes before I could move forward. At the time, this felt frustrating. I didn’t understand why I needed to take these classes when my focus was graphic design. But as I moved through each of those foundation courses, something shifted. I began to realize that these prerequisites weren’t barriers; they were building blocks. Each class introduced concepts that became essential not only to starting my career as a graphic designer, but also to shaping my vision as an artist. These weren’t skills separate from design; they were skills that strengthened it.
At the same time, balancing both sets of classes changed the way I worked. The foundation and studio courses became a source of relaxation from the long hours spent on my computer for my other courses. They gave me a chance to work with my hands, to step away from the screen, and to use a different part of my brain and mind. Thanks to the guidance and support of my professors, these classes became something I looked forward to every week. All the work in this show comes directly from those classes, the first pieces I made in each medium. These works represent the beginning of my journey into other forms of art, the early steps that helped me get into juried art shows, and the foundation that shaped both my design practice and my artistic voice. They are reminders of where I started, what I learned, and how those experiences continue to influence the way I create.
“A ‘Designer’ First” reflects the path I took, the challenges I faced, and the unexpected ways those foundation classes became essential to who I am as both a designer and an artist.
