Celebrating Abilities

Samuel A. Hodge

Picture of Samuel A. Hodge

Featured Artist

April 25, 2008 6:00pm - 9:00pm

When viewing the art work of Sam Hodge, it's quality is as clear as the medium that this artist uses. His work is unique and innovative, He has taken an old art form and added a new dimension to the medium of stained glass. While a professor of Psychology at Dutch Community College in Poughkeepsie, NY, Sam was fascinated with a sun catcher that a student made. His curiosity led him further into an entirely new field, that of the creative spirit, of a stained glass artist.

Sam was not satisfied to merely follow the path of traditional stained glass art, he blazed an entirely new trail with his innovative techniques, and creative new imagery. Using history as an inspiration, many of the images that he created in his stained glass works were African American historic figures, or sports and music entertainment icons. This new art form was indeed a revolution, many of these images had never been captured in non-traditional form.

His art is a tribute to the accomplishment of African Americans in the field of civil rights, music, dance, and sports. This artist uses bold colors, and pushes the traditional flat stained glass into sculptural forms. He added a layered texture to his works, many of which have become standing sculptures.

Another interesting feature of this work was the fresh incorporation of collaged facial features that give each stained sculptured work a personality all its own. Incorporating found objects, beads, fabric, parchment and other materials in his glass creations, Sam's works speak to the viewer wether they be a graceful dancer on point, Tiger Woods hitting a hole in one, or the Temptations singing in sync. The colors and textures of this stained glass artist capture the viewer's imagination. The brilliance of each work's colors captivates its audience. A widely exhibited artist in fine art galleries throughout the Southeast, Midwest, and on the West Coast, Sam Hodge has won numerous awards in juried art exhibitions, and has had a vast number of one man shows.

He was honored with having a specially designed exhibit, featured in the main gallery of the Dr. Charles Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit Michigan. The Museum spotlighted Sam in week long activities including an artist gallery talk, reception, lecturers and workshops with Detroit area school children. Several of his stained glass works will be installed in the atrium in a permanent exhibit at the Charles Wright Museum in March, 2004. In addition to his stained glass creations, Sam Hodge is a talented tapestry artist, whose textile works and mixed media works were featured along with stained glass at a major exhibit at the York W. Bailey, Penn Center, St. Helena Island, South Carolina. Recently Hodge has added textural painting to his vast creative tableau.When viewing the work of this versatile artist, one not only sees the dimension of the work, but the creative innovations of the artist. He has raised the bar, gone on to the next level, taken something old, and made something new and exciting. Sam Hodge's work is as varied as the many colors and materials he incorporates in each. He takes the viewer on a journey that will not soon be forgotten.

The following pieces will be up for bid at P&A's benefit on April 25th: (Click on pictures to enlarge)