Animation
2020 - 2022
Animation
2020 - 2022
Street Beats I
THE COLOR OF TOMORROW, ANIMATED SHORT
Casey is the subject of “The Color of Tomorrow,” a 4-minute animated short created by Michelle M. Collins and Sam Kirk. The Color of Tomorrow is a film of unity, as Sam and Michelle demonstrate their solidarity through art, music and animation. As civil unrest, violence and discrimination has become the center of a COVID-19 pandemic world, this story is intended to remind people of the universal moments we all shared during the COVID-19 Pandemic, while highlighting the acts of humanity and pivotal issues of discrimination and division.
AWARDS RECEIVED: 2020-2021 Davey, Telly and Communicators Awards for Social Justice and Impact.
Illustration
Illustration
AVAILABLE NOW
This full color children’s book written by Rosie Thor, Illustrated by Sam Kirk with Color Direction by Jenny Q is the first cover to cover children’s book illustrated by Sam Kirk.
“A vibrant ode to the culture and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community, The Meaning of Pride, celebrates the beauty, significance, and many dimensions of the concept of Pride as celebrated by millions of people around the world!”
Published by Versify Books, HarperCollins
FINE ART
2018 - 2023
MURALS AND PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS
Select Installation 2018 - 2023
MURALS AND PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS
Select Installation 2018 - 2023
HEALING HOUSE, EARTH ART CHICAGO, 2023
Part of the “Greening the Southeast Side” Project in collaboration with Southeast Environmental Taskforce, the Healing Room provides a space for the community to take a moment to themselves, to plant new seeds, nurture, meditate, and grow. Installed at Urban Growers Collective on 91st and Mackinaw, Healing House is a public art piece for the community to adjust and evolve as they see fit.
Grant Park Skate Park, Chicago, 2022
Inspired by the culture and history of Chicago, the BMX and Skate Community, “A space for everyone” was created to welcome people to the skate park, which highlighting the freedom of expression and self determination that is embraced by the skate community. This mural was made through a collaboration with the Chicago Park District to provide inner city youth with an internship experience in developing public art. A tram of high school students, members of GO-Grind, Chicago Action Sports, The Grant Park Advisory Committee, and the Chicago Park District worked together with Artist, Sam Kirk to determine the content of the artwork.
Stronger Together, Little Village, Chicago, 2021
Part of the One Lawndale Initiative, the Stronger Together mural celebrates the people of North and South Lawndale and encourages black and brown unity. The concept was developed based on opinions and feedback from youth in both communities.
La Villita Skatepark, 2021
Mission Over Everything, 2019
Sam Kirk worked with Lincoln Park Community Services location, a 30 year old, non-profit helping homeless residents in Chicago to develop a mural that celebrates the work they do and the people they work with. Kirk worked with the organization and its members to determine the content of the mural, using their stories to develop the concept.
Xfinity/Comcast sponsored the mural.
click to learn more
University of Wisconsin Mural, 2021
Sam Kirk spoke with students at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater to create a design that reflects the diversity and multiculturality of the student body.
The Love I Vibrate, 2018
A collaboration between Sam Kirk, Andy Bellomo and Sandra Antongiorgi to celebrate the LGBTQ+ Community in Chicago as part of the city’s Year of Public Art.
Lakeview Pride, 2020
Mural celebrating Chicago’s Lakeview Neighborhood for the new Walgreens Office at the Historic USPS Building.
Chicago Rhythm & Blues, 2019
A celebration of Chicago music over the decades.
Private Client
A Tribute to Victoria Cruz, 2019
A commission by the Lisa Project x NYC Heritage Pride, Sam Kirk was selected as one of 50 national and international artists to paint a mural in New York City to celebrate World Pride 2019 and 50 years since Stonewall. Her mural in The Lower East Side (below) pays tribute to Victoria Cruz, a Puerto Rican Transgender Woman, Activist, and Community Organizer who has continued to help the LGBTQ+ community in New York since the Stonewall Riots.
This is What Chicago Sounds Like, 2019
A mural celebrating the way Chicago delivers and receives it news via the team at Vocalo and WBEZ. The piece highlights Chicago culture, focusing on the arts.
Bold, Brilliant, Beautiful Brooklyn, 2018
Sam Kirk & Jenny Q., 2017 Brooklyn Community Pride Center opened a new location in Bedstuy in 2018. Sam Kirk and Jenny Q created this piece to celebrate and acknowledge Brooklyn’s LGBTQ+ Community.” “When we were younger, we searched for spaces where we could be ourselves. In our communities, they didn’t exist. We didn’t grow up seeing black and brown LGBTQ+ people. While this is changing, the need for more visual representation is still present. Floyd gave us the opportunity to create this at the Brooklyn Community Pride Center space.“
Tribute to Nat King Cole, 2019
“The Forum was built in 1897, and contains one of the most important assembly/performance halls in the city and possibly the oldest hardwood ballroom dance floor in Chicago. This space played a significant role in Chicago’s cultural scene by hosting performances of music luminaries—including Nat King Cole—and by providing space for civic groups and political meetings.”
Power to the People, 2018
A commission by Chicago’s Loop Alliance, under the theme of electricity. Rather than being literal, Kirk chose to highlight women in trades, using the downtown location to create more visibility for women, specifically women of color working in male dominated industries.
Weaving Cultures, 2016
A commission by the City of Chicago, Sam Kirk lead the direction for the concept of this piece to develop a mural that celebrated women of many cultures and identities. As a bi-racial, queer woman this was important to her to reflect the diversity within Chicago , despite the segregation the city is known for. Kirk collaborated with Artist, Sandra Antongiorgi to develop the piece, merging their styles to reflect the vibrancy of the communities represented. The organic process of creating this piece allowed them to reflect on current events and adjust the content based the state of the world in 2016.
Collaborations
SELECT PROJECTS 2019 - 2021
Collaborations
SELECT PROJECTS 2019 - 2021
UNITED AIRLINES PRIDE 2023 - “Runways of LOVE”
DISNEY INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS, 2023
Sam was selected to be part of the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts in 2023 where she created three designs for limited edition, specialty prints. Each artwork highlights characters from different Disney, Marvel, or Pixar films in her signature style. Each of the physical prints employed different printing techniques to add visual texture and bring the scenes to life in a unique and exciting way.
Univision held their first Annual Award Gala, Univisionarios, an initiative that honors and celebrates Hispanic excellence. Sam had the honor of designing the award for this debut event. The artwork she designed celebrates the many ways that LatinX people enrich our lives, and to give recognition to Latinos across the United States who have made significant contributions to our communities and society.
This collaboration with Kiehl's was originally for limited customized skin care products with a percentage of each purchase supporting The Trevor Project, the worlds largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ Youth with a minimum guaranteed donation of $10,000. With Kiehl’s having a foundation in New York City, this piece pays tribute to the wonderful pride spirit felt worldwide within a NY city scene.
COMCAST, HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, 2021
“Pave the Path” honors the generations of people who crafted and shared the beautiful mixture of cultures we celebrate today. Through traditions in food, music, art, and more, I grew up cultivating my LatinX identity and enjoying the fruits of our communities, which continue to nourish me as an artist to this day. I am grateful for all that has been shared from one generation to another as we connect to opportunities we want, create the spaces we need, and work toward the progress we deserve. Let us continue to showcase our vibrance, our pride and our culture as we follow and create paths that lead us forward.
CHICAGO CUBS, PRIDE, 2021
A collection that highlights the intersectional identities and athletics, for the love and joy of our LGBTQ community. 80% of the proceeds were donated to help a LGBTQ youth housing initiative on Chicago’s South Side by Center on Halsted and Rebuild Foundation
We launched this apparel line on the last day of Pride month and even with the July 4th weekend, it sold out faster than any other collection.
This original piece for JIGGY x I am a voter.® is a special edition 500pc puzzle, available for purchase until October 6th. 50% of proceeds will be donated to IAAV and 25% of proceeds go to Courtney. JIGGY x I am a voter.® is a special edition collection of puzzles featuring inspiring art by three emerging female artists, supporting voter registration and turnout for the 2020 election. Each IAAV puzzle comes in a reusable drawstring bag, box and includes puzzle glue to preserve your masterpiece.
South Asian Network, 2020
Sam was commissioned to create a custom design for the 2020 US Census Campaign for the South Asian Network of Los Angeles. The goal for the artwork was the acknowledge the diversity among the South Asian Community within Los Angeles.
IPAINTMYMIND, 2020
Sam partnered with IPAINTMYMIND to develop a custom art piece that would share the importance creativity in the daily lives of our youth, while also working to raise funds for art programming during the 20/21 season.
Latino Union Chicago, 2020
Sam collaborated with Latino Union Chicago to create a design to celebrate their 20th Anniversary. The artwork was used to develop Loteria Cards, T-shirts, and other merchandise sold to benefit the organization.
Chicago Humanities Festival, 2019/2018
Sam was invited to create a custom design for the 30th Anniversary of the Chicago Humanities Festival. The theme for this year was Power, exploring 30 years of people powered change. The artwork was used to promote the event and posters were distributed to guests
Xicago White Sox + Hispanic Heritage Month, 2019
The Chicago White Sox commissioned Sam Kirk to design a shirt that will be distributed to White Sox fans for Hispanic Heritage Month. The first 10,000 fans attending the game on September 12th will receive a free shirt. The shirt design is a celebration of the many Latino cultures that you can experience throughout Chicago neighborhoods.
Xfinity/Comcast 2018/2019
Comcast commissioned Sam Kirk to design a reusable bag as a response to the bag tax that was initiated in Chicago. The bags were distributed at summer festivals across the city.
BRAND COLLABORATIONS
AT&T
Adidas
Big MIch
Chicago Fire
Chicago Made / SXSW
Chicago Reader
Chicago Red Stars
Chicago White Sox
Comed
Chicago Cubs
Don Julio
Effen Vodka
Grubhub
Guiness
MARS Brewing
MLS
NBC
Netflix
Pepsi
Red Bull
Tasty Trade
US Women’s Soccer
Vans
Verluxe Doll House
Walgreens
World Business Chicago
Xfinity/Comcast
NON-PROFIT COLLABORATIONS
826 CHI
Adler Planetarium
Ava’s Change4Youth
Broadway Youth Center
Brooklyn Community Pride Center
Chicago Humanities Festival
Chicago Ideas Lab
Healing to Action
Humble Design
IDMAJ
I am a Voter
IPaintMyMind
Lincoln Park Community Services
Merit School of Music
New Life Centers of Chicago
Project Fierce
Shedd Aquarium
Smart University
South Asian Network
Traffick Free
UIC
Vocalo
WBEZ
Women’s March
