Cayla is an Illustrator and multimedia artist based in Southeast Michigan.
She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Studio Arts from Eastern Michigan University in 2022. Her MFA thesis project, “The Night Room,” meshed traditional book design and set design with photography to create over twenty immersive 2D spaces.
A passionate storyteller, Cayla’s professional work includes book illustration, graphic design, and photography.
Her personal work centers on man’s search for meaning, exploring how mythology, science, psychology and ecology combine to influence the ways in which societies and individuals create meaning.
Cayla is an avid hiker, cyclist, cat lover and naturalist. When not in her studio or working as a graphic designer in Ann Arbor, she can be found tracking deer trails through the woods, or tracking books on astrophysics (yikes) through the library.
CONTACT:
csamano83@gmail.com
734.799.2311
EDUCATION
+ 2020 - 2022 EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY. Ypsilanti, MI.
MASTER OF FINE ARTS-STUDIO. CONCENTRATION-Drawing
Drawing: Illustration, Digital Painting, Character design. Cartooning. Sequential Art. Theatre Box Design.
Digital Media: Zbrush. Adobe In-Design. Photoshop. Illustrator. DSLR 3500mm camera
2D Media: Watercolor. Colored Pencil. Acrylic. Charcoal. Pen & Ink
+ 2004 - 2008 EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY. Ypsilanti, MI
Bachelor of Fine Arts & Visual Arts Education. Minor in Drawing and Illustration VAE- Certified K-12
4/2004 Study Abroad Program “Greece and the Trojan War” in Athens, Delphi, & Crete, Greece
ILLUSTRATION & DESIGN WORK
…coming 2024 “Grandpa’s Farm” Illustration & book design, written by Sandra Law, MI
2023 - “The Wild Garden” Interior and Cover design, written by Ben Page, CA. Published 2023.
2023 - “The World in My Pocket” Illustration & book design, written by Ben Page, CA. Published 2023.
2022 - ”The Night Room” Illustration & book design, MFA Thesis project, EMU
2020 - “I Dreamed of You” Illustrations, written by Lori Metz, NY. KDP 2020.
2019 - Wall Mural 12x15 Private client, Ann Arbor, MI
2016 - “How to Meet The Forest” Illustration & book design, for Assoc. Of Nature & Forest Therapy (ANFT) Santa Rosa, CA. KDP 2016.
2015 - “Muse” Cover illustrations, Children’s Music Education workbook series. written by Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra, Ann Arbor, MI. Chi Press, 2016.
WORK EXPERIENCE
+ 2020 - current. BIVOUAC ANN ARBOR, MI.
2021-current. Graphic Design Manager. BIVOUAC, Ann Arbor.
Creating magazine ads, digital public media ads, posters & in-house media.
Fashion & outdoor photography, photo-editing, flat lays & product photography.
Technical Proficiency: Lightroom, Photoshop, Illustrator, In-Design, DSLR 3500mm
EDITORIAL & BRAND MARKETING:
Brand Story & Ads: Responsible for concept creation, photography, photo editing, and all graphic design, including 50th anniversary clothing and logo designs
Brand Knowledge: The North Face, Arc’teryx, Patagonia, Outdoor Research, Kuhl, Prana, Alo, Vuori
Managing a team of 8-15, facilitating brand research, projects & customer service engagement
Organizing and photographing models for outdoor and fashion shoots
Collaborating with Management on ad visions, and with models, web photographers and social media assistants.
Visual Merchandising and displaying products with a high standard.
Educating clients and staff on outdoor technical wear and human needs.
Visual Merchandising products into visual stories and engaging displays on the sales floor.
+ 2020-2022 EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY. Ypsilanti, MI.
Art Instructor: Drawing Foundations I (Core Curriculum) & Intro to ART101.
Organized & Developed Drawing curriculum around NASAD accreditation benchmarks
Facilitated development of understanding in 2D composition, drawing skills and techniques
Executed grades, student communications, classroom still life setups, and group critiques
+ 2017-2019 FOUNDER: A2 SHINRIN YOKU- NATURE IMMERSION. Ann Arbor, MI.
Created a website for A2 Shinrin Yoku, advertising services and research on nature connection practices
Organized online booking system for public and private talks, walks & other events
Designed Public advertising in partnership with public venues hosting Nature immersion events
Nature Immersion Talks
5/2019 Leslie Science and Nature Center, Ann Arbor, MI
02/2019 Willard Library, Battle Creek, MI,
1/2019 Crazy Wisdom Bookstore, Ann Arbor, MI
11/2018 Stewardship Conference, MSU, Lansing, MI
7/2018 Permaculture Conference, Ann Arbor, MI
10/2018 Outdoor Educators Conference, Port Huron, MI
+ 2016-2019 ASSOC. OF NATURE & FOREST THERAPY, Santa Rosa, CA.
Assistant Nature Immersion Trainer
Mentored Guides through a 6 month practicum period
Leading monthly remote group calls with mentees
Assistant with trainer duties including emergency planning, trail scouting, group facilitation, leading nature immersion walks & teaching educator content to guides-in-training,
On Location Trainings: Devon, UK 2019. Oak Openings, OH. 2018. Kanatai Lodge, NC. 2017
+ 12/2017- 1/2019 COMMON GOOD WASHTENAW 501C3. Ann Arbor, MI
Director of Programs and Outreach
Planned & executed member support programs & Fundraiser events
Designed print media, composed media postings
Facilitated monthly volunteer meetings
Researched and applied for nonprofit grants
Supported communication with local business owners on programs and app usage
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+ 2008-2018 ART EDUCATOR POSITIONS
+ 8/2016 -12/2018 Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor, MI Contract Art Teacher, Adult classes
+ 9/2012 - 6/2016 St. Francis of Assisi School. Ann Arbor, MI Full Time Art Teacher K-8
+ 9/2008 - 6/2012 Hamtramck Charter Academy, Hamtramck, MI. Full Time Art Teacher K-8
Created K-8 curriculum meeting Michigan standards
Taught art history, art criticism, art making and multicultural art practices based on MAEA & DBA and Multicultural Strategies
Facilitated Multicultural Art Club for elementary students, including visit to UMMA
Guided 6-8th grade students in creating costumes and sets for Middle School Theater Dept.
Facilitated Middle School Multicultural Art Club for ESL Bangladeshi, Afro-American and Muslim students
Organized Field trip to Detroit Institute of Arts for Middle school Art Club
Guided middle school student groups in creating art and dance performances for Multicultural Events
EXHIBITIONS
12/2022 Eastern Michigan Graduate Exhibition Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Mi.
5/2022 Time in the Garden Art Exhibition Matthaei Botanical Garden, Ann Arbor, Mi.
4/2022 Hatchback 16 Juried Show. Hatch Art Gallery, Hamtramck, Mi.
3/2022 12 @ 22 EMU Graduate Show. 22 North Gallery, Ypsilanti, Mi.
1/2019 +1 Invitational Art Show, WSJ Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI.
9/2018 “36 Views of Iceland” Cafe Verde Solo Art Show. Ann Arbor, MI.
PUBLICATIONS
2022. Samano, Cayla. Crazy Wisdom Journal. Go Outside! A How-to Guide For Urban Families
2019. Dunn, Patrick. Ann Arbor Observer “Cayla Samano, Forest Therapy Guide” https://annarborobserver.com/articles/cayla_samano
2018. Lisa Barry for 89.1 WEMU Interview on Hidden in Plain Sight
https://www.wemu.org/post/hidden-plain-sight-finding-relaxation-woods-guided-forest-therapy-walk
2018. Solberg, Beth. Crazy Wisdom Journal. “Forest Therapy- Embracing Nature, Connecting with Others” www.crazywisdomjournal.com/featuredstories
REFERENCES
● Dustin London.
Title: Art Dept. Faculty, Eastern Michigan University
dlondon4@emich.edu
● Kate Robertson.
Title: Senior Director of Operations, Ann Arbor Art Center.
734-926-4126
krobertson@annarborartcenter.org
● Chris Hyndman.
Title: Art Dept. Faculty, Eastern Michigan University
chyndman@emich.edu
● Katherine Pfeiffer.
Title: Library and Media Specialist, Canton Schools
734-649-6161 pfeiffer.katherine@gmail.com
● Maria Ruggiero.
Title: Art Dept. Faculty. Eastern Michigan University
mruggiero@emich.edu