MY STORY
Pronouns: She/Her/They/Them
Born in San Jose, California, Sami Lee-Go Woolhiser grew up in the Silicon Valley, a culturally diverse and constantly advancing technological hub. Through her art practice, she explores these ideas through a variety of techniques and mediums varying from oil on canvas to woodworking with digital fabrication processes.
Sam studied Sculpture with a focus on digital fabrication and received her BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2014. After graduation she moved to Portland, OR to pursue her career in manufacturing. Throughout last 7 years she has worked for various fabrication companies in cement casting, custom fabrication and digital fabrication.
Currently she is employed at Avid CNC as their Digital Fabrication Media manager where she manages content creation, marketing and strategic partnerships.
Sami is also the co-founder of MAOKE MADE (a feminist fabrication company),
She also founded the PDX Digital Fabrication Meet Up and curated 1015 Gallery in Portland for 2 years.
EDUCATION
2010 - 2014 SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN - BFA
Focus on Digital Fabrication in Sculpture
Savannah, GA
Magna Cum Laude, GPA 4.0
WORK
DIGITAL FABRICATION MEDIA & PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER - AVID CNC
Since 2018 I have worked to forge a strong foundation for Avid CNC by building bridges with content creators, makers and industry leaders at CAD/CAM companies all over the world. This role is at the intersection of manufacturing, creating access to STEAM through education and community building.
Establishing and managing over 50+ partnerships with key influencers in the maker community as well as customers, designers and engineers in the digital manufacturing field.
Cultivating inviting spaces, content and events for entrepreneurs, makers and businesses to enter the world of CNC and digital fabrication.
Writing, producing, and directing narrative films, interviews, CAD/CAM tutorials and CNC project videos.
Directing brand development, awareness and curating authentic impressions through public collaborations.
Collaborating with the mechanical engineering team on product development and with the software development team to elevate accessible UX in web and CNC controller functionality. Creating supplementary media documentation to accompany hardware and software releases.
Drafting introduction to advanced CNC online curriculum to increase accessibility to entering the digital manufacturing industry.
Developing community collaborations and the foundation for Avid CNC to give back to individuals, communities and organizations that are actively pursuing careers, supporting their community through projects, or promoting educational opportunities in the trades, STEAM and Digital Fabrication.
We are built on the foundational principle that accessibility is key in the pursuit of equality and necessary to build a diverse workforce.
Event, conference planning and social media management.
OLANDER EARTHWORKS - MANUFACTURING PROCESS MANAGER
2018
Implementing lean manufacturing processes.
Training new employees on cement casting, mold making and finishing processes.
ADX - ART DESIGN PORTLAND - DIGITAL FABRICATION PROJECT MANAGER (2016-2019) / FABRICATION TEAM MANAGER (2018-2019)
Collaborating with clients to create, design and build custom fixtures, models, signage and restaurant build-outs.
Training new CNC, Laser technicians and project managers in roles and to rely on creative problem solving, lean manufacturing processes and collaboration to achieve high quality outcomes.
Managing a team of 12+ full time fabricators and project managers.
Implementing lean manufacturing processes and developing (digital, wood and metal) fabricator training tracks.
ADX - ART DESIGN PORTLAND - CNC AND LASER TECHNICIAN
2014-2016
Executing CNC and laser projects.
Fine woodworking and finishing of projects.
Creating designs, models and CAM programs.
PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL VALUES
Teamwork & Collaboration
Innovation & Progress
Focus & Productivity
Growth, Openness & Curiosity
Research & Knowledge
Authenticity & Altruism
Passion & Education
SKILL SETS & EXPERIENCE
Independent worker and team player
Passion for storytelling and crafting curated narratives and environments
Writing, filming, producing, and editing narrative films, interviews, tutorials and project videos
True appreciate of the intersection of story telling, making, and education
PROGRAMS
Fusion 360
Vectric VCarve & Aspire
Final Cut Pro
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Premiere
Adobe Indesign
Adobe Light Room
Streamlabs OBS
OBS Studios
Figma
Rhino
PROCESSES
CNC Milling
Plasma CNC
CAD /CAM
Woodworking
Custom Fabrication
Sign Making
Product Design
3D Printing
Laser Cutting
Cement Casting
Mold Making
Finishing
Installation
Leadership, Teaching and Collaboration Experience
2019
INSTRUCTOR - HERITAGE SCHOOL OF INTERIOR DESIGN - CHAIR PROTOTYPE & DESIGN (3 semesters)
CO-FOUNDER - PDX DIGITAL FABRICATION MEETUP
CO-FOUNDER - MAOKE MADE - A FEMINIST FABRICATION COMPANY
CURATOR - 1015 GALLERY
2017- 2018
ADX FOUNDER - FORM + ADX AIR PROGRAM
CURATOR & MANAGER - ANX GALLERY
CNC INSTRUCTOR - ADX
2015
FINE ART STARTS - TEACHER, 2014-2015 (K-4) - AFTER SCHOOL ART PROGRAM
2012-2014
PRESIDENT - SCULPTURE FORUM
PRESIDENT - LOCAL COLOR PAINTING CLUB
2013
COLLABORATOR - PULSE: ART & TECHNOLOGY FESTIVAL - JEPSON CENTER MUSEUM, KIDS DIGITAL FABRICATION WORKSHOP
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, SAVANNAH, GA
Awards / Panels
2019
Deconstructing the Gender Binary in the 3D Sculptural World - International Sculpture Conference, Portland, OR (Oct. 2019)
2014
Sicky Nar Nar Gallery, Exhibition Fellowship
2013
Desoto Row Gallery, Art Rise, Savannah Exhibition Fellowship 2013
2010-2014
SCAD Academic and Artistic Scholarship & Deans List