Samantha Pavelsek-Simmons
Samantha Simmons became interested in capturing miniature worlds through the lens of a camera from a young age. As a Colorado native, she began entering her photography for competition in high school, then started working in the darkroom at Arapahoe Community College. She continued her artistic path at the University of Colorado Denver. Her most recent work, Wildlife Photography, is photographic series that was recently on display in the Spring 2015 CU Denver BFA Thesis Exhibition. In the realm of miniatures, she uses the natural optical capabilities of the digital camera to create an illusion of scale. Mirroring the look of professional wildlife photography, she creates a commentary about the too-perfect representation of nature and the deceptive qualities of the camera.
In December 2014 her work was displayed at Kanon Collective in the annual Bibelot Show, juried by Westword’s Arts and Culture Editor, Susan Froyd. In 2013 her work, Paper Appreciation: Origami, was sold as unique art object to the Denver Public Library and was added to the permanent collection. Samantha is a third generation graduate of CU Denver, and plans to continue her studies in a master’s program focusing on photography.