Hi everyone! My name is Sam Moseng, and I am happy to be supporting the Rumriver Art Center as its next Creative Director. I’m grateful for the foundation Angie built at the art center and in the community, and I hope to honor the work she’s done by continuing the RRAC’s mission forward.
On my first day learning about Angie’s role with her, we met at Metta Cafe for coffee and to talk. Angie shared her story at the art center and the way her role as a Creative Director came to exist. Angie’s story is deeply woven with the art center’s—she built the art programming we now know, and fostered a growing art community of all ages. We cherish Angie and all she has done, and I am honored to be carrying her hard work forward into the future.
Angie may be moving on from her time as a Creative Director, but will remain an artist, teacher, and important member of the arts community here at Rumriver Arts. Her dog companion, Frankie, will be here sometimes too! Angie is family at the art center and means a great deal to many people. She is nothing short of amazing and is a kind and patient mentor. We have been working together since the beginning of this fall for me to learn from her, and I’ve been graciously introduced to some of the artists and teachers along the way. You may already know me from classes I’ve led here at Rumriver, from the surrounding community, or around the art center. As I come to understand Angie’s role, I look forward to getting to know all of you who make up this community.
Q: Could you tell us a little about your art journey?
A: I’ve always enjoyed creating. As a kid, I redrew bird field guides, made comics for friends, and traded drawings at school. In college, I stayed active in the arts and found a creative community online during the pandemic when classes went fully remote. After graduating in 2021, I worked as a reading tutor at a local elementary school, where I engaged students in reading with art. Each session, I’d sketch something they requested, and after five sessions, I combined the drawings into one big piece. I saw how these small interactions with art transformed the way kids engaged with the reading sessions.
I started teaching at the Art Center with weekend drawing classes and kids’ summer camps in 2022—including drawing, multimedia, painting, and crafting classes with topics ranging from Anime, Avengers, Harry Potter, Nature Sketchbook, Star Wars, and more.
My partner and I moved out of state for 2 years, while he attended graduate school and I pursued an internship. I carried this passion for teaching art with me—leading paint nights at a local cat cafe. After moving back, I was glad to return to the Art Center and begin teaching classes again.
I’m excited to keep sharing creativity as a way to make a positive difference in people’s lives and in the community. In this role, I hope to continue the work Angie has accomplished; building fun, meaningful, and impactful art programs, growing relationships, and increasing the capacity of the Rumriver Art Center.
Q: What drew you to Rumriver Art Center?
A: I first got involved with the Rumriver Art Center in 2021, when I was looking for a creative outlet while working as a reading tutor. I started attending the art center’s free art nights and got to know the team—including its co-founders, Larry and Susan, and the art center’s Creative Director, Angie Renee.
After sharing the drawing projects I had done with my students, they invited me to teach a weekend anime drawing class in spring 2022. That led to teaching kids’ summer camps.
When my partner and I moved out of state for two years, I realized how much the Art Center meant to me. Since returning to Minnesota in 2024, I’ve been glad to rejoin the community—helping with summer activities and leading camps again, including Pokémon and Harry Potter–themed sessions in 2025.
What I love about Rumriver Arts is that it’s a place for artists to convene, grow, and enjoy the practice of creating. It is an invaluable asset for the community, with inclusive programming at price points for all, engaging across the north metro in various outreach efforts spanning from senior centers, libraries, parks, schools, community events, and more. It is a welcoming space, focused on the joy of the process rather than the pressure of a finished product. The art center is fond to my heart and has meant a lot to me throughout the past few years, being a “home” for me to nurture my own creativity. I am grateful to be a part of the team.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories from the art center?
A: There are so many! From fun memories during art camps and classes, to silly warm-up pieces, to my very first art night. You really never know what will happen when you walk through the doors of the Rumriver Art Center.
It has been rewarding seeing students make long-time friends and enjoy art classes. With the flexibility and creative freedom that the art center provides, students can make each project their own. I love seeing the worlds and stories that the students convey using the tools and knowledge that the art center provides. I remember feeling unsure of whether or not I would make an impact on the students when I first started teaching art classes, but hearing from them that they made memories to last forever was a sign for me.
Q: Outside of art – what brings you joy?
A: I have 5 cats (1 being a foster kitten) who bring me joy. Although sometimes they can be a handful, haha. I like to read and write, curate music playlists, be out in nature, and make coffee for myself and friends. You can find me at a coffee shop, library, park or garden, thrift store, gallery, or (most likely) hanging out with my cats and family at home.
Please give Sam a warm welcome when you see her at Rumriver Art Center! We’re so excited for all that’s in store under her leadership!