Award in Excellence Samantha Maggio

Devouring the Gift © Samantha Maggio Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania $1,000 Age 22

Devouring the Gift, photograph (8" x 10") "My artwork supports a constant state of sharing and by depicting that which I have gathered insight from. I spark thoughts in the minds of others, cause conversations to ensue that may never have occurred, and at times become a reference during the explanation of another concept. I recognize everything I take in as art and nothing intrigues me more than observing someone expressing passion through her/his medium." Samantha Maggio, who is deaf in one ear, has explored a variety of art forms, including puppetry, performance art, and printmaking. In this photograph, she conveys the heightened experience of enjoying the oranges that her grandmother sends from Florida every year. She reveals, "The medium of photography allows me to pull up a myriad of facial expressions and feelings to convey." Samantha has recently incorporated American Sign Language into her photography, involving figures forming words and phrases via finger spelling. She is presently studying at the Naropa University located in Boulder, Colorado. Samantha intends to use her award toward an art and culture immersion study abroad program in Bali, where she will be learning about shadow puppets, batiks, and other indigenous Balinese art forms.