Samantha Pinto

My art practice reflects how I move through the world and connect with others. These prints are a humble offering, and many of them come directly from sketchbooks which I keep with me at all times. Drawing is a part of my own mindfulness practice; it is the way I self-soothe, express that which cannot be put into words, process information, and share my thoughts & reflections. I am an alumni of the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, and throughout my childhood studied various visual media at almost every art institution in the Philadelphia at one point or another. Currently, my primary occupation is as a counselor and clinical therapist. Creating and sharing art with others has sustained me through many careers, roles, & transitions.

The way I create and share art is also connected to my work as an organizer, a counselor, a healthcare worker, and an independent researcher of Italian American/Italian Diaspora Studies. I love to explore themes of resistance, folk magic, and popular religion within Southern Italian and Italian American culture. My work has allowed me to cultivate relationships with people within my community that share my values of openness, curiosity, and a deep dedication to collective liberation. As frequently as possible I sell prints to raise money for various mutual aid campaigns, including medical aid for Palestinians surviving genocide, my local abortion & bail-out funds, and reproductive justice for migrants.

Recently, I have begun to deepen my connection to folk music and dance traditions from Southern Italy. These popular traditions have inspired my connection to spirituality, devotion, and movement for many years.