Kentucky sculptor Sam McKinney has shaped the artistic landscape of the commonwealth. A native of eastern Kentucky, McKinney’s work reflects a profound reverence for the natural world and for the Appalachian region that has inspired him throughout his life. His career stands as a testament to both artistic mastery and enduring dedication to the craft.
“Sam McKinney’s skill, expertise and love for his craft have benefitted Kentucky in numerous ways. His work has helped communities and individuals commemorate loved ones, portray emotions and recognize important events and personages. The respect and admiration for him shown by other artists, students, commissioners of his work, and community members is obvious…Kentucky is lucky to have an artist of Sam’s caliber who has helped so many others with their artistic careers and brought recognition to the arts in Kentucky.” — Lori Meadows, board chair Kentuckians for the Arts.
“For all of his recognized and well-documented accomplishments, Sam McKinney has remained true to his early commitment to conduct his life as an artist, in all that this entails. Over the years he has taught occasionally at the university level when the institutional need arose, but throughout those decades he has quietly, and repeatedly served as an inspiring resource to art professionals and to the groups of art students they have brought to his studio when specific projects enabled him to share and explain his thoughts and processes. In this he has been a de-facto mentor to young artists aspiring to follow in his path, a generous and invaluable asset to the world of art. And for that, we should all be most grateful.” — Adrian Swain, curator and artistic director of the Kentucky Folk Art Center, retired.