Creativity in Service of Community: How Open AIR Connects Art, Place, and People

Our speaker for July 1 is Stoney Samsoe, an artist, educator, and nonprofit leader with a deep commitment to creativity, curiosity, and community. 

Stoney received her MFA from Illinois State University and undergraduate degrees in Fine Arts, Psychology, and pre-nursing from the University of Montana. Her artwork has been exhibited nationally, and she has received numerous awards for her creative practice.

Motivated by a love of art, science, nature, and interdisciplinary collaboration, Stoney co-founded Open AIR in 2019 to strengthen the role of the arts in Montana. As co-founder and executive director, she works to connect artists with place-based partners and create opportunities for creativity to inspire connection, stewardship, and meaningful public dialogue.

Open AIR is a Montana-based, artist-in-residence program that brings artists into meaningful partnership with places, people, and organizations across the state. Through residencies rooted in science, conservation, education, history, and community, Open AIR helps artists create new work while inviting the public to see local landscapes and shared challenges through fresh eyes. In this presentation, Stoney will share how creativity can serve communities, strengthen connection to place, and inspire curiosity, stewardship, and civic imagination.

When not focused on Open AIR, Stoney enjoys spending time with her husband and toddler, gardening, making art, and being in the community.

Thank you to John Drew, our speaker host this week.