Artist CV

SAMARA PHILLIPS
Visual Artist | Stained Glass • Metalsmithing • Mixed Media

Greenville, South Carolina
Founder, Samara Designs Studio
samaradesignsstudio.com

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2022–Present
Founder & Artist | Samara Designs Studio
Greenville, South Carolina
Independent art studio specializing in original stained glass, botanical-inspired glass sculpture, decorative objects, and mixed-media artwork.

2019–Present
Wholesale Artist | Uncommon Goods
Ongoing wholesale partnership featuring original handcrafted artwork.

1998–2023
Custom Framing, Gallery Operations & Art Sales | Bennett’s Frame & Art Gallery
Greenville, South Carolina
Twenty-five years of professional experience spanning custom framing, gallery operations, fine art sales, and wholesale distribution. Responsibilities included custom framing production and design, selecting artists for gallery representation, acquiring original artwork, coordinating gallery exhibitions and artist receptions, and supporting wholesale operations. Represented the company’s wholesale business at industry framing conventions and assumed primary responsibility for gallery operations during an extended absence of the owner.

EDUCATION & ARTISTIC TRAINING

2009
John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, North Carolina
Enameling

2008
John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, North Carolina
Jewelry & Metalsmithing

1999–2000
Greenville County Museum of Art, Greenville, South Carolina
Metals & Jewelry Studies

1994–1995
Fine Arts Center, Greenville, South Carolina
Darkroom Photography & Introduction to Metals

AWARDS & HONORS

2010
Fine Craft Merit Award
Anderson Arts Center Juried Exhibition
Anderson, South Carolina

1995
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Excellence in Visual Arts

2002
Second Place, Amateur Sculpture
Spartanburg Sidewalk Art Show
Spartanburg, South Carolina

SELECTED JURIED EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS

2022
Indie Craft Parade, Juried Craft Festival
Greenville, South Carolina

2009
Upstate Forever, 3rd Annual Art & Conservation Celebration
Greenville, South Carolina

2008
Spartanburg Artists’ Guild, 35th Annual Juried Exhibition
Spartanburg, South Carolina

2002
Upstate Visual Arts, 5 × 5 Small Works Show
Greenville, South Carolina

2000
Belton Standpipe Festival, Juried Art Show
Belton, South Carolina

2000
Upstate Visual Arts Member Exhibition, Art in the Park
Greenville, South Carolina

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS & ARTIST EVENTS

2010
One Stop Open Studios Retrospective Exhibition
Metropolitan Arts Council, Greenville, South Carolina

2007–2009
Greenville Open Studios
Metropolitan Arts Council, Greenville, South Carolina

2002
Art & Earth Day, Arts & Crafts Festival
Greenville, South Carolina

PUBLICATIONS & PRESS

2026 | July
South Carolina Voyager

“How Samara Designs Studio Is Redefining Stained Glass Art in Greenville”
Read Article

2026 | Summer
At Home Magazine
“How Samara Designs Studio Is Redefining Stained Glass Art in Greenville”
Read Article⁠

2023 | September
Bold Journey Magazine

“Meet Samara Phillips”
Read Interview

2023 | July
CanvasRebel Magazine
Read Interview

2022 | October
SC Voyager Magazine
Read Interview

2021 | July
TOWN Magazine
Read Article

2008 | March
The Greenville News, “City People” Section
Greenville, South Carolina

SELECTED WHOLESALE & RETAIL PARTNERSHIPS

2026 | April
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | Museum Store
Kansas City, Missouri
Wholesale selection for the museum store in connection with an Art Deco exhibition.

2025–Present
Campbell Collective
Retail & E-commerce Partnership

2023–2024
Ferny’s Retro Plant Shop | Magnolia Market at the Silos
Waco, Texas
Wholesale Partnership

2022
PBS Shop
Retail Partnership

2021–Present
Faire Wholesale
Original handcrafted artwork stocked by 66 independent retailers across the United States and Canada.

2019–Present
Uncommon Goods
Ongoing Wholesale Partnership

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS & ART DONATIONS

2001–2003
Donating Artist, Summer Gala
South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
Greenville, South Carolina

2002
Donating Artist, Midlands Gala
South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
Columbia, South Carolina