Sam Wang: Centripetal Persistence

Sam Wang is a pioneering Chinese-American photographer and educator who immigrated from China to the United States in the 1960’s and became the head of Clemson University’s photography program for more than 40 years. Sam’s ability to bridge the cultural gap and become a key member of the rural Clemson, South Carolina community is a true testament to the power of his character and his photographic work. After his retirement from Clemson, Sam rediscovered his Chinese roots by forging a path back to his motherland by teaching an emerging class of contemporary Chinese photographers the handcrafted alternative darkroom processes he mastered in the United States. Sam’s story is truly reflective of America’s multicultural society, and of an individual’s ability to reach across borders and cultures through the power of photography and education.

Screenings

*2023 SE Regional Emmy Nominee

Oct 20, 2022 – Clemson University (Clemson, SC)

Oct 15, 2022 – SPE-SC Chapter Conference (Shreveport, LA)

Sept 24, 2022 – Footcandle Film Festival (Hickory, NC)

Sept 10, 2022 – Full Bloom Film Festival (Statesville, NC)

Aug 27, 2022 – Fort Smith International Film Festival (Fort Smith, AR)

*Best Documentary Short

May 22, 2022 – Broadcast SC-ETV, South Carolina PBS

May 14, 2022 – Long Leaf Film Festival (NC Museum of History, Raleigh, NC)

May 5, 2022 – Broadcast SECTV, South Carolina PBS

March 26, 2022 – Oxford Film Festival (Oxford, MS)

*Honorable Mention – Best Mississippi Short

March 7-12, 2022 – SPE Media Festival (virtual)

*Best Multicultural Film

March 5, 2022 – South Georgia Film Festival (Valdosta, GA)

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Dec 7-11, 2021 – PhotoNola (Zeitgeist Theatre, New Orleans, LA)

*special preview for Photonola