Samantha 's profile

Hi there! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Mental illness and trauma is something that has always deeply impacted me and my family, but it wasn't till after the loss of my niece, Maddie, that The Empty Hourglass Project (a safe space for those affected by mental illness, trauma, addiction, loss, etc. to heal through creative means) came about in 2019. While it initally started out as (and continues to be) a photography book in which we re-tell people's true stories of mental illness, trauma, addiction, suicide, abuse, and loss through conceptual photography, it has transformed into something even larger. 

In the Fall of 2022, we held our first immersive art installation at the Community College of Baltimore County (Essex Campus). Previously shot stories and their sets had been rebuilt for visitors and students to walk through and interact with, while also being able to contribute their own stories, journal entries, and art at our creation station. It was wildly successful and received powerful feedback from students, faculty, and the art and psychology departments that were involved in the creation of the exhibit. In the Spring of 2023, we will be holding another immersive art installation at the Community College of Baltimore County's Catonsville Campus.

Our goal is to publish our first volume of 50 Lives/50 Truths by the end of 2024. Each volume contains 25 true stories touching on the above topics by members of the Baltimore community. 

Our second goal is to continue to spread mental health awareness, breaking the stigma, and promoting important conversations by creating immersive, healing, and creative safe spaces in various communities and schools. 

It's come a long way and I am enormously grateful for all of the loyal and dedicated people that have brought it as far as it has. 

A bit more information pertaining to my work as an artist in general (for those interested): 

Baltimore born and bred. Over the years, I've wandered down many different paths. Majored in theatre/fine and performing arts in 2008 at the Community College of Baltimore County and from there I began working as a makeup artist for the past 12 years for film, TV, theatre productions, photo shoots, and weddings. When not dolling up faces, I sometimes work as an actor and a casting associate for Bill Marinella North Casting on various projects, some of which include HBO's The Plot Against America and Sony Pictures' Charm City Kings. I enrolled in college at the end of 2021 to obtain my Bachelor's in Psychology. One day I hope to be able to work as a drama therapist with children who've experienced trauma. 

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