Samantha McCoy
Contact
Sam McCoy is a contemporary artist and designer focused on the boundaries of natural and hyperreal landscapes in Florida. Pulling inspiration from spectacles and roadside Americana, both contemporary and nostalgic, she finds most of her references from constructed gardens and eco-tourism destinations. While in Orlando, McCoy interned with Flying Horse Press in the print studio and Universal Studios Orlando in theme park design. She has worked as a third-party contractor with Walt Disney World, specializing in live painting, and collaborating with businesses on International Drive as a contractor for concept and design projects. McCoy received her MFA, she has been an adjunct instructor with the College of Fine Arts at her alma mater, Florida State University.
Currently, she is the Senior Artist Programs Manager at Thomasville Center for the Arts where she collaborates with designers and artists to curate exhibitions for the public. In addition to her role at the Center, she curates Wall Space, a small gallery in Thomasville, GA where she focuses on building confidence and strong professional practices in emerging artists at all ages and stages. You can find her work showing nationally, outside of FSU’s Visual Arts Building, or represented by Venvi Art Gallery in Tallahassee, FL.
Education
BFA in Drawing + Painting, University of Central Florida
MFA in Studio Arts, Florida State University
Teaching Areas
Design Fundamentals II
Painting Foundations
2D Design Foundations
Drawing Foundations
Research Areas
Enchantment and Disenchantment of the contemporary Florida landscape
Select Fine Art Awards
Plein Air Winner – St. Mark’s Wildlife Refuge (2023)
Honorable Mention, Gadsden Art Center (2021)
FSU Excellence in the Visual Arts – Painting and Drawing Award (2021)
FSU Excellence in the Visual Arts – Visual Arts Award (2021)
FLAUNT 19 : Best in Show (2019)
Professional Certifications and Associations
National Association for Interpretation (NAI), Professional Member