Slide show: Roger Sampson

The Eden Prairie Art Center will hold its grand opening Tuesday, May 26.

2009-05-21T07:04:32Z

EdenPrairieNews
The Eden Prairie Art Center will hold its grand opening Tuesday, May 26.

Classes have been held at the Art Center since March. Here Jacqueline Zhang and Ellie Thomas practice drawing flowers.

2009-05-21T07:05:33Z

EdenPrairieNews
Classes have been held at the Art Center since March. Here Jacqueline Zhang and Ellie Thomas practice drawing flowers.

Jacqueline Zhang was attending Gin Weidenfeller’s class on art and science.

2009-05-21T07:06:26Z

EdenPrairieNews
Jacqueline Zhang was attending Gin Weidenfeller’s class on art and science.

Jaxen Mertens has attended a number of classes at the newly opened Art Center.

2009-05-21T07:07:10Z

EdenPrairieNews
Jaxen Mertens has attended a number of classes at the newly opened Art Center.

Before it was the Eden Prairie Art Center, the facility at 7650 Equitable Drive was still a locale for art-learning and sharing. It was originally an art studio for Roger Sampson, a retired ...

2009-05-21T07:07:33Z

EdenPrairieNews
Before it was the Eden Prairie Art Center, the facility at 7650 Equitable Drive was still a locale for art-learning and sharing. It was originally an art studio for Roger Sampson, a retired ...

Roger Sampson is pictured here with his mother Mildred. Roger Sampson’s interest in art stems from Mildred.

2009-05-21T07:09:14Z

EdenPrairieNews
Roger Sampson is pictured here with his mother Mildred. Roger Sampson’s interest in art stems from Mildred.

Mildred Sampson was an active craftsperson in the Twin Cities. She was delving into intricate art projects long into her later years. At age 89 she received national media attention for winn ...

2009-05-21T08:03:23Z

EdenPrairieNews
Mildred Sampson was an active craftsperson in the Twin Cities. She was delving into intricate art projects long into her later years. At age 89 she received national media attention for winn ...

Roger spent his career as a successful businessman, becoming CEO of Barber-Colman, a manufacturing company in Rockford, Ill. When he retired in 1987, though, he wasn’t the type to just pla ...

2009-05-21T08:03:23Z

EdenPrairieNews
Roger spent his career as a successful businessman, becoming CEO of Barber-Colman, a manufacturing company in Rockford, Ill. When he retired in 1987, though, he wasn’t the type to just pla ...

Working with fused glass was one of his talents. Sampson would invite others into his Eden Prairie studio to teach and share their art.

2009-05-21T08:03:23Z

EdenPrairieNews
Working with fused glass was one of his talents. Sampson would invite others into his Eden Prairie studio to teach and share their art.

EdenPrairieNews' photo

2009-05-21T08:03:23Z

EdenPrairieNews

“He said you don’t have to be a businessman forever, you can be something else,” said his wife, Elaine.

2009-05-21T08:03:23Z

EdenPrairieNews
“He said you don’t have to be a businessman forever, you can be something else,” said his wife, Elaine.

His daughter Anne remembers that her father went through a period where he made glass fish. She remembers him telling a story of going through the drive-through to get his morning coffee “ ...

2009-05-21T08:03:23Z

EdenPrairieNews
His daughter Anne remembers that her father went through a period where he made glass fish. She remembers him telling a story of going through the drive-through to get his morning coffee “ ...

A mask by Roger Sampson

2009-05-21T08:01:38Z

EdenPrairieNews
A mask by Roger Sampson

More fused glass

2009-05-21T08:01:50Z

EdenPrairieNews
More fused glass

EdenPrairieNews' photo

2009-05-21T07:04:06Z

EdenPrairieNews

Roger opened his studio up to others, often holding classes to show groups how to make fused glass objects, inviting guest artists to teach any number of other art forms. “It became a plac ...

2009-05-21T08:03:01Z

EdenPrairieNews
Roger opened his studio up to others, often holding classes to show groups how to make fused glass objects, inviting guest artists to teach any number of other art forms. “It became a plac ...