Artistree Welcomes Artist-in-Residence Sammy Chong
Exploring the Human Form, Consumption, and the “Be Beast” Series
Artistree Community Arts Center is excited to welcome interdisciplinary artist Sammy Chong as an upcoming Artist-in-Residence, bringing both his distinctive artistic voice and teaching practice to our community.
During his residency, Chong will lead a two-part figure drawing workshop while also sharing "...And Justice for Animals" – a selection from his striking “Be Beast” series—an ongoing body of work that challenges how we see ourselves in relation to the natural world.
The residency will also include an artist talk with Sammy Chong on Saturday, June 6, from 4:00–6:00 PM, offering visitors an opportunity to learn more about his practice and engage in conversation about his work.
Artist Talk: Saturday, June 6 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Exhibit Dates: May 20 - June 9, 2026
Gallery Hours: Tuesdays - Saturdays 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The Residency: Learning from the Artist
At the heart of Chong’s visit is the opportunity to learn directly from his process. His two-day figure drawing workshop invites participants to engage deeply with the human form through observation, structure, and movement.
Workshop Details:
Dates: Thursday, June 4 & Thursday, June 11, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Focus: Drawing the human figure from a live model
Participants will explore:
- Gesture and line to capture movement and energy
- Structure and anatomy to better understand form and proportion
Chong’s approach blends technical skill with philosophical inquiry—encouraging artists not just to draw what they see, but to think about what it means to observe, interpret, and represent the body.
The Work: “Be Beast”
Alongside the residency, Artistree will feature works from Chong’s compelling “Be Beast” series.
Rendered with meticulous detail in graphite and colored pencil, these works blur the line between human and animal, often placing animals in distinctly human roles—dressed, posed, or situated in environments shaped by consumer culture. The effect is both humorous and unsettling.
Rather than simply depicting endangered species, “Be Beast” explores deeper questions of consumption, identity, power, and coexistence. By reversing roles between humans and animals, Chong invites viewers to reflect on how we define dominance, value, and belonging within a shared ecosystem.
The work draws on visual cues from advertising and popular culture, using familiarity to disarm the viewer before revealing something more complex beneath the surface.
About the Artist
Originally from Ecuador, Sammy Chong is an Assistant Professor of Studio Art at Boston College. With a background in philosophy and theology, his work bridges technical precision with conceptual depth. He earned his MFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University and has exhibited widely across North and South America.
Join Us
This residency offers a rare chance to both experience Chong’s work up close and learn directly from his practice.
Whether you’re an artist looking to deepen your skills or a visitor curious about contemporary art that challenges perception, Sammy Chong’s residency promises to be both thought-provoking and inspiring.
Learn more: https://sammychong.com
Register for the workshop: Visit artistreevt.org/workshops or stop by the gallery
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