Samantha Kershnar

Samantha Kershnar (b.1979) is a multidisciplinary artist based in the Bay Area whose practice spans printmaking, sculpture, jewelry, fiber arts, and drawing. Kershnar often recreates human, animal, and hybrid characters from literature and film. She describes her influences: “I like making different types of art for people in my life and for myself. I like making children’s books because children inspire me. My nephew inspires me to draw things that he enjoys such as dinosaurs and animals from across the world.” In this spirit of community-building and play, her recent series of miniature ceramic dioramas function as interactive spaces. These boldly glazed “Dollhouse Rooms” are furnished with little beds, tables, and bookshelves — each scaled to match a variety of hand-built clay figurines, which range from dragons to rabbits to snowmen.

Kershnar’s sculptures and drawings have been featured in group exhibitions around the Bay Area, notably at Sonoma State University, Et. Al Gallery San Francisco, and the Oakland Museum of California. Multiple items from her collection of tie-dyed clothing and accessories lit up the runway during NIAD's biennial Fashion Show, The Way We Are, Now (2024). Samantha Kershnar has worked at NIAD Art Center in Richmond, CA since 2017. 

I am a multi-material artist. I enjoy fiber, printmaking, drawing, sculpting with both polymer and ceramic clay. I have trouble with my vision when it comes to small details and I identify as she/her. 

I started out at NIAD as a new artist and over time I have tried different types of art. At NIAD I like to work with Bill Zindel in printmaking, Nan Collymore in fiber and Chelsea Smith in ceramics. The studio facilitators help me learn new things.

I like making different types of art for people in my life and myself, such as earrings, bracelets, necklaces and fashion. In fashion I learned about different sewing techniques like the knot stitch and working with different types of fabric like burlap and quilting.

In ceramics I either make things related to home life or I use my imagination. I rejoice in creating different shapes and creations in clay. I like making children’s books because children inspire me. My nephew inspires me to draw things that he enjoys such as dinosaurs and animals from across the world. I enjoy working with my nephew at home in clay and making food and animals. 

For me art means exploring my creativity through my imagination. Art makes me feel colorful, imaginative and creative.