03/04/2026
🎨 2026 Artist Spotlight 🎨
Samuel Ortiz Medrano
From first-generation college student to ceramics educator in the Panhandle, Samuel Ortiz Medrano represents the full-circle impact of the arts at OPSU while continuing to shape the next generation of artists.
✨ Artist Bio
Samuel Ortiz Medrano was born in Michoacán, México, in 1995 and migrated to the United States with his family at 15. He discovered his passion for pottery and art while attending Guymon High School, where he also learned English as his second language. In 2014, he enrolled at Oklahoma Panhandle State University as a first-generation college student, earning a bachelor’s in fine arts with an emphasis in ceramics. Active in student organizations, he served as president of the Images Art Club and was involved in the Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO).
After graduating with honors and debt-free in 2020, Ortiz became the director of All Fired Up Gallery and later joined its board and instructional staff. In 2021, he began teaching art in Spearman, Texas, before returning to Guymon to instruct at Guymon Junior High and later Guymon High School, where he currently teaches ceramics. His work is featured in All Fired Up Gallery, the Guymon Public Art Movement, and the Paul Farrell Art Auction.
“For me, pottery is a language of its own—a way to express myself freely. In high school, I struggled to choose a career path until I discovered ceramics. Working with clay ignited a passion for creating something from nothing, infusing each piece with imagination, love, and inspiration.
At the potter’s wheel, I find a sense of calm and focus, knowing that every movement shapes my work. While sketches help plan a piece, the most important vision exists in my mind, where I visualize texture, color, and contrast. Every line and imprint on the clay becomes a memory embedded in the piece, transforming raw material into a tangible reflection of my creativity.”
🖼 Featured Works
• Tween Platers
• Up or Down
• Tree Vase
📅 Friday, March 6, 2026
📍 Student Union Ballroom
Oklahoma Panhandle State University
🎟 Tickets available:
https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/opsu/L2VtYmVkL2V2ZW50LzI4ND9zaW5nbGU9MA%3D%3D
