ABOUT THE ARTIST
Samantha Caldera is a visual artist, her passion lies in fantasy storytelling through various art mediums. She uses her experiences and hardship navigating life as a Mexican-American growing up in Chicago to inform her work. Creating new realities through fiction was very necessary for her as a child and continues to be her passion, comfort, and pride. She enjoys the freeness to explore her mind and create stories using art, her stories address hard topics in a fun and creative way.
Through her art she hopes to represent marginalized groups and connect with audiences while creating conversations around important problems in the changing world.
Exhibitions
2023 Group Exhibition, Home is a Teddy Bear, Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
2023 Group Exhibition, Terrain Biennial, Space of Symbiosis, Chicago, IL
2023 Group Exhibition, Spring Showcase, Mana Contemporary, Chicago, IL (curated by Red Line Service)
2021 Group Exhibition, March of Mini’s, Averill and Bernard Leviton Gallery, Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, IL
Experience
Administrative Event and Artistic Support, Red Line Service Institute
January 2023 - Now​
Bricolage Art Intern , Green Star Movement
February 2024 - May 2024
Cartoonist, New Heights Educational Group
July 2021 - September 2022​
Seller, Etsy
July 2020 - Now​
Consignment
2023 Buddy’s, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL
2022 ShopColumbia, Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, IL
Conventions and Art Festivals
2023 Sundays on State, Pocket Con
2022 Con on the Cob, Twin Cities Con, Anime Zap!, Hall of Heroes, Inkfest
2021 Con + Alt + Delete
Residencies
Risograph Residency by Artefactos Limon LLC
​
Awards
2022
Best Illustrator Nomination Columbia College Chicago
2022
Dean’s List all semesters at Columbia College Chicago
2020
Political Cartoon Contest Honorable Mention $200 award Columbia College Chicago