 From studio floor to forever home: a heartfelt thank you to Gallery Mar for this impeccable triptych installation.
"We were fortunate to install over 20(!!) pieces for a private party pop-up event in Salt Lake City. These three expansive works were a part of the beautiful showcase of contemporary art, with hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and mocktails from our host. It's a special opportunity when we can think outside of the (gallery) box and this afternoon was a fun fall addition to our calendar -- with all of Samantha daSilva's collectors invited. Thanks to Jennifer Campbell with Renaissance Capital for hosting us all with such aplomb and grace." Gallery Mar Shop Gallery Mar https://www.gallerymar.com/artists/samantha-da-silva  Thank you for attending our pop-up exhibition, Fieldworks Green River at UMOCA. This show highlighted sculptures created by participating artists after a week of exploring found and repurposed materials.
This residency and exhibition resonated with me deeply. While I already integrate my environment into my work, the experience gave me permission—and the confidence—to push further, to move beyond the canvas and into three dimensions. My sculpture began as a meditation on entering the world with softness, only to be hardened by life’s challenges, and yet choosing to remain open-hearted. It began with a pillow I found on the road outside a hotel. Amazingly clean and smelling of fresh laundry, it felt almost serendipitous. I cut a hole in the middle and pulled a rope from the center across four sides, symbolizing how softness and innocence are shaped by our experiences. I then covered the pillow with a mix of acrylic paint, plaster, and soil, representing a protective shell formed when hardship hardens us. The soft core (pillow stuffing) embodied the choice to stay soft and open-hearted despite life’s pressures. I named this sculpture "Window of Truth". Thank you for being part of this journey. Your presence makes the exploration worthwhile, and I hope Fieldworks Green River continues to inspire us to keep our hearts open. https://utahmoca.org/  UMOCA Opening Reception This Friday, Sept. 26!
Join UMOCA this Friday, September 26, 6-9 pm to celebrate the opening of four new exhibitions and special events including Fieldworks: Green River - a pop-up show of sculptures created by participating artists (that's me!) during a week of hands-on exploration with found and repurposed materials. For more information & to register: https://utahmoca.org/event/sept-26-opening/?mc_cid=4975c8dd8a&mc_eid=8cb83bd964  My first standing ovation! After 17 years of teaching, this moment moved me to tears in the best possible way. The spontaneous, heartfelt appreciation from everyone in the room filled me with so much joy and gratitude. What we created in the span of our time together felt nothing short of magic. Thank you to each person who participated, contributed, and helped make this experience so meaningful and successful. A heartfelt shout-out to Workshop SLC for supporting local artists and making opportunities like this possible for all of us.
 What a night! My heart feels so full after spending a wonderful evening with friends old and new at a private show in a collector’s beautiful home. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to make this night a success, but especially Maren Mullin, owner of Gallery Mar, for elevating the entire experience with her warmth, friendship, and expert eye.
A very special thanks to Renaissance Financial https://www.rfc.com/ Shop Gallery Mar https://www.gallerymar.com/artists/samantha-da-silva  Today we hung 21 pieces with Maren Mullin, gallery owner of Gallery Mar. Grateful for a private art party in a collector's beautiful home!
Shop Gallery Mar: https://www.gallerymar.com/artists/samantha-da-silva  All this to catch your eye and invite you to join me for these upcoming events:
Sept 20–21: Fearless Metallics https://www.workshopslc.com/ Sept 22: Fall newsletter quarterly mail-out — sign up on my site Sept 26: Fieldworks Pop-Up Show https://utahmoca.org/ Nov 4: How to Dress Like an Artist https://altacommunity.org/ Nov 8: Fearless Abstract Painting https://makespacekayenta.com/ Jan 2026: Stay tuned for details on my first group show at Gallery Mar! https://www.gallerymar.com/artists/samantha-da-silva  It brings me immense joy to celebrate the ever-growing creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of friends and community members. Congratulations to Farasha, SheMoney and Zenzee on the opening of District F. A collaborative space where fearless women gather for fashion, fotos, fetes and finance.
I'm so grateful for your ongoing friendship and support. A huge thank you to Gallery Mar for including one of my works to be part of this meaningful occasion. Shop Gallery Mar https://www.gallerymar.com/artists/samantha-da-silva  I’m thrilled that a painting technique I developed in my parents’ basement in Calgary has become a bridge for other creatives to find and share their unique voices.
After 17 years as an artist and educator, I’m humbled that my workshops still sell out—and that they continue to empower students to trust their process. Fearless abstract painting changed my life, and I’ve devoted myself to practicing it daily. It’s 50% unorthodox technique, 50% philosophy. Techniques matter, but so do the structure and clarity we bring to our thoughts and feelings—so we can grow to our full potential. There’s one spot left for my Fearless Metallics workshop on September 20-21 at Workshop SLC. We’ll explore metallic paints, powders, and gold leaf to create abstractions that honor process over outcome. Join us and unleash your fearless voice. For more information & to register: https://www.workshopslc.com/schedule/fearless-abstract-painting-with-metallics-with-samantha-dasilva-2025 |