I am an award-winning illustrator and artist who has illustrated five children's books. I specialize in illustrations of children and animals but I have a variety of interests. I typically work in traditional media and photoshop. I produce high quality work on deadline and enjoy collaborating with clients. My online portfolio is samowhite.com.

Sam O White

I am an award-winning illustrator and artist who has illustrated five children's books. I specialize in illustrations of children and animals but I have a variety of interests. I typically work in traditional media and photoshop. I produce high quality work on deadline and enjoy collaborating with clients. My online portfolio is samowhite.com.

Available to hire

I am an award-winning illustrator and artist who has illustrated five children’s books. I specialize in illustrations of children and animals but I have a variety of interests. I typically work in traditional media and photoshop. I produce high quality work on deadline and enjoy collaborating with clients. My online portfolio is samowhite.com.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Co-Owner at Hi Bar Lo Bar
January 1, 2023 - Present
Proprietor of a fully licensed and insured mobile beverage service.
Lead Designer at Hope Puzzles
January 1, 2023 - September 17, 2025
Created vector-based cut patterns for high-end wooden jigsaw puzzles, designed business logo, wave-shaped signature filler pieces and elements of packaging; spearheaded business planning sessions.
Freelance Artist / Designer at Self-Employed (Freelance)
January 1, 2015 - Present
Operated a successful freelance business creating murals, illustrating books, and public art installations for a variety of clients including AS220, The Avenue Concept, The Boston Globe, Cambridge Innovation Center, Free Play Bar Arcade, Gotham Greens, Loft Designs, Pappas Enterprises, The Dean Hotel, The Boombox Karaoke Lounge, The Salon Bar, Mojotech, Bridgewater State University, Nail Communications, Brown University.
Founder/Artistic Director at Wooly Fair, Wooly Productions Inc.
January 1, 2005 - Present
Created and directed Providence's annual art carnival, which annually draws thousands of people and hundreds of volunteers, managing all aspects of its operation from conception of site plan to build out of environments, to enlistment of entertainment and talent, to overseeing activities and volunteers leading up to and during the event.
Director of Operations/Artistic Director at Aurora Providence
January 1, 2015 - September 17, 2025
Co-designed, oversaw construction and operations of award-winning 200 person capacity live music venue and craft cocktail bar in downtown Providence. Directed all operations, created programming, coordinated private rentals, and managed staff and facility.
Production Editor at The American Mathematical Society
January 1, 2013 - September 17, 2025
Managed the final production and editorial stages of a large volume of research mathematics books. Duties include copyediting, coordinating, and producing volumes as well as managing consistent contact with multiple authors and editors.
Tape Artist at Tape Art
January 1, 2011 - Present
As part of the Tape Art team, created large scale murals in Providence, RI and beyond and taught Tape Art as a means for corporate creativity training primarily at the General Electric training campus in Crotonville, NY.
Co-Owner at Hi Bar Lo Bar
January 1, 2023 - Present
Proprietor of a fully licensed and insured mobile beverage service with partner David Allyn. Manages communications, catering production and service for a full roster of clients including The Gordon School, Waterfire Arts Center, The Wilbury Theater, private weddings and more.
Volunteer Coordinator at The Steel Yard
January 1, 2025 - Present
Organizes and coordinates volunteer days to bring new community members to Providence’s landmark industrial arts facility. Creates communications, coordinates projects and motivates volunteers to assist Steel Yard operations.
Founder/Artistic Director at Wooly Fair, Wooly Productions Inc.
January 1, 2005 - Present
Created and directed Providence's annual art carnival, which annually draws thousands of people and hundreds of volunteers, managing all aspects of its operation from conception of site plan to build out of environments, to enlistment of entertainment and talent, to overseeing activities and volunteers leading up to and during the event.
Freelance Artist / Designer at Self-Employed / Candita Clayton Gallery (represented)
January 1, 2015 - Present
Operated a successful freelance business creating murals, illustrating books, and public art installations for a variety of clients including AS220, The Avenue Concept, The Boston Globe, Cambridge Innovation Center, Free Play Bar Arcade, Gotham Greens, Loft Designs, Pappas Enterprises, The Dean Hotel, The Boombox Karaoke Lounge, The Salon Bar, Mojotech, Bridgewater State University, Nail Communications, Brown University.
Lead Designer at Hope Puzzles
January 1, 2023 - October 1, 2025
Created vector-based cut patterns for high-end wooden jigsaw puzzles, each incorporating illustrated scenes of whimsy pieces. Designed business logo, designed wave-shaped signature filler pieces and elements of packaging. Spearheaded business planning sessions.
Director of Operations/Artistic Director at Aurora Providence
January 1, 2015 - October 1, 2025
Co-designed, oversaw construction and operations of award-winning 200 person capacity live music venue and craft cocktail bar in downtown Providence. Directed all operations, created programming, coordinated private rentals, and managed staff and facility.
Production Editor at The American Mathematical Society
January 1, 2013 - October 1, 2025
Managed the final production and editorial stages of a large volume of research mathematics books. Duties include copyediting, coordinating, and producing volumes as well as managing consistent contact with multiple authors and editors.
Tape Artist at Tape Art
January 1, 2011 - Present
As part of the Tape Art team, created large scale murals in Providence, RI and beyond and taught Tape Art as a means for corporate creativity training primarily at the General Electric training campus in Crotonville, NY.
Adjunct Faculty at The New England Institute of Art
January 1, 2007 - October 1, 2025
Taught Intro to Lit class to NEIA undergraduates. Guided development of writing and analytical skills through intensive analysis of modern and contemporary poetry and fiction.
Adjunct Faculty at University of Rhode Island
January 1, 2007 - October 1, 2025
Taught poetry workshop and short fiction literature class to URI undergraduates. Guided development of writing and analytical skills through intensive analysis of modern and contemporary poetry and fiction.
Mural Artist at Various Clients (Selected Commissions)
January 1, 2015 - Present
Selected mural commissions including Free Play, Gotham Greens, AS220, Loft LLC, Loft Designs and more.
Mural Artist at Gotham Greens
January 1, 2020 - October 1, 2025
Mural Commission, Entryway wall of Gotham Greens, 55 Harris St Providence.
Mural Artist at Free Play Bar Arcade
January 1, 2019 - October 1, 2025
Mural Commission, Entryway mural for Free Play Bar Arcade, 25 Union St Worcester, MA.
Mural Artist at AS220 / Loft LLC
January 1, 2019 - October 1, 2025
You Have Survived, Winning mural commission of the AS220 RFP for bar design.
Mural Artist at Loft Designs
January 1, 2018 - October 1, 2025
The Loftopus, Thirty-foot long mural installation for Loft Designs in their new office building.
Co-Owner at Hi Bar Lo Bar
January 1, 2023 - Present
Proprietor of a fully licensed and insured mobile beverage service with partner David Allyn. Manages communications, catering production and service for a diverse client roster including The Gordon School, Waterfire Arts Center, The Wilbury Theater, private weddings and more.
Volunteer Coordinator at The Steel Yard
January 1, 2025 - Present
Organizes and coordinates volunteer days to bring new community members to Providence’s landmark industrial arts facility. Creates communications, coordinates projects and motivates volunteers to assist Steel Yard operations.
Founder/Artistic Director at Wooly Fair, Wooly Productions Inc.
January 1, 2005 - Present
Created and directed Providence's annual art carnival, which annually draws thousands of people and hundreds of volunteers, managing all aspects of its operation from conception of site plan to build out of environments, to enlistment of entertainment and talent, to overseeing activities and volunteers leading up to and during the event.
Freelance Artist / Designer at Self-employed
January 1, 2015 - Present
Operated a successful freelance business creating murals, illustrating books, and public art installations for a variety of clients including AS220, The Avenue Concept, The Boston Globe, Cambridge Innovation Center, Free Play Bar Arcade, Gotham Greens, Loft Designs, Pappas Enterprises, The Dean Hotel, The Boombox Karaoke Lounge, The Salon Bar, Mojotech, Bridgewater State University, Nail Communications, Brown University. Represented by Candita Clayton Gallery.
Lead Designer at Hope Puzzles
January 1, 2023 - October 1, 2025
Created vector-based cut patterns for high-end wooden jigsaw puzzles, each incorporating illustrated scenes of whimsy pieces. Designed business logo, designed wave-shaped signature filler pieces and elements of packaging. Spearheaded business planning sessions.
Director of Operations/Artistic Director at Aurora Providence
January 1, 2015 - October 1, 2025
Co-designed, oversaw construction and operations of award-winning 200 person capacity live music venue and craft cocktail bar in downtown Providence. Directed all operations, created programming, coordinated private rentals, and managed staff and facility.
Production Editor at The American Mathematical Society
January 1, 2013 - October 1, 2025
Managed the final production and editorial stages of a large volume of research mathematics books. Duties include copyediting, coordinating, and producing volumes as well as managing consistent contact with multiple authors and editors.
Tape Artist at Tape Art
January 1, 2011 - Present
As part of the Tape Art team, created large scale murals in Providence, RI and beyond and taught Tape Art as a means for corporate creativity training primarily at the General Electric training campus in Crotonville, NY.
Adjunct Faculty at The New England Institute of Art
January 1, 2007 - October 1, 2025
Taught Intro to Lit class to NEIA undergraduates. Guided development of writing and analytical skills through intensive analysis of modern and contemporary poetry and fiction.
Adjunct Faculty at University of Rhode Island
January 1, 2007 - October 1, 2025
Taught poetry workshop and short fiction literature class to URI undergraduates. Guided development of writing and analytical skills through intensive analysis of modern and contemporary poetry and fiction.
Professional Artist / Designer at Self-employed / Contract Design Studio
January 1, 2015 - Present
Owns, operates, and manages a contract design business creating murals, illustrating books, and public art installations for a variety of clients including AS220, The Avenue Concept, The Boston Globe, Cambridge Innovation Center, Free Play Bar Arcade, Gotham Greens, Loft Designs, Pappas Enterprises, The Dean Hotel, The Boombox Karaoke Lounge, The Salon Bar, Mojotech, Bridgewater State University, Nail Communications, Brown University.
Executive Director at Valley Arts
January 1, 2025 - Present
Organizes and oversees Valley Arts events. Assists in design of visual assets and drafting of language for marketing and communications campaigns. Manages annual budget and financial reports. Manages communications with donors. Develops five-year plan in conjunction with the board.
Lead Designer at Hope Puzzles
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2023
Created vector-based cut patterns for high-end wooden jigsaw puzzles, each incorporating illustrated scenes of whimsy pieces. Designed business logo, designed wave-shaped signature filler pieces and elements of packaging. Spearheaded business planning sessions.
Director of Operations / Artistic Director at Aurora Providence
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2015
Co-designed, oversaw construction and operations of award-winning 200 person capacity live music venue and craft cocktail bar in downtown Providence. Directed all operations, created programming, coordinated private rentals, and managed staff and facility.
Production Editor at The American Mathematical Society
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2013
Managed the final production and editorial stages of a large volume of research mathematics books. Duties include copyediting, coordinating, and producing volumes as well as managing consistent contact with multiple authors and editors.
Adjunct Faculty at New England Institute of Art
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2007
Taught Intro to Lit class to NEIA undergraduates. Guided development of writing and analytical skills through intensive analysis of modern and contemporary poetry and fiction.
Adjunct Faculty at University of Rhode Island
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2007
Taught poetry workshop and short fiction literature class to URI undergraduates. Guided development of writing and analytical skills through intensive analysis of modern and contemporary poetry and fiction.

Education

MFA at Iowa Writers Workshop
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1999
BFA at Colby College
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1995
MFA at Iowa Writers Workshop, University of Iowa
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1999
BFA at Colby College
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1995
Master of Fine Arts at Iowa Writers Workshop, University of Iowa
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1999
BFA at Colby College, Waterville, ME
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1995
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at Iowa Writers Workshop, University of Iowa
January 11, 2030 - December 17, 2025
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at Colby College
January 11, 2030 - December 17, 2025

Qualifications

Rhode Island State Council for the Arts - Community Engaged Project Grant
January 1, 2024 - December 17, 2025
Rhode Island State Council for the Arts - Community Engaged Project Grant
January 1, 2023 - December 17, 2025
Rhode Island State Council for the Arts - Individual Project Grant
January 1, 2020 - December 17, 2025
PVDFEST Project Grant Winner
January 1, 2018 - December 17, 2025
Rhode Island State Council for the Arts - Individual Project Grant
January 1, 2013 - December 17, 2025
Rhode Island State Council for the Arts - Individual Project Grant
January 1, 2010 - December 17, 2025
MacDowell Colony Fellowship
January 1, 2004 - December 17, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization, Other, Travel & Hospitality