Clay Art Center is pleased to present Matt Wilt: Object Lessons, A Solo Exhibition Featuring Ceramic and Mixed-Media Works.
Matt Wilt, an artist who works in clay, along with steel, concrete, and wood, will present a solo exhibition at Clay Art Center that explores the possibilities of mixed-media sculpture. The exhibition will feature a striking collection of works that incorporate motion, sound, and mechanical elements, creating an immersive and dynamic experience for viewers. Drawing inspiration from Dadaist and Surrealist sculpture traditions, Matt challenges conventional boundaries of art-making, inviting audiences to engage with pieces that blur the line between two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms.
Through the incorporation of diverse materials—ranging from clay and metal to other mediums, Matt encourages a broader perspective on the creative process. The artist believes that students and the community will benefit from seeing the potential for combining media to enrich their work, moving beyond traditional approaches to material use. This exhibition will transform the gallery space into an enigmatic and thought-provoking environment, with careful attention paid to lighting, shadows, and the integration of the walls, ceiling, and floors of the space.
“I aim to demonstrate that material craftsmanship can be both a foundation and an expressive vehicle for complex ideas,” says Matt, who also states “By blending technique with conceptual depth, I hope to inspire both students and the public to view materials and art-making in a more expansive and experimental way.”
Please join us for an Opening Reception on Saturday, April 26th, 6:00 – 8:00pm.
Concurrent Programming: A One-Time Workshop Matt Wilt: Constructing with Clay 10am - 5pm, Saturday, April 26th
In this hands-on class, students with prior wheel experience will experiment with techniques in wheel throwing closed forms following a comprehensive demonstration by artist Matt Wilt. Students will throw multiple forms, exploring a range of imaginative and unconventional construction techniques. Students are encouraged to experiment with sculptural adaptations alongside functional variations of their original designs. Learn more and register for Constructing with Clay
Artist Bio
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Matt Wilt received his Bachelor’s degree in Ceramics and Art Education from Penn State University. After completing undergraduate school, Matt worked for two years at Boston Valley Terra Cotta, an architectural terra cotta restoration firm in Buffalo, New York, where he began to work more extensively with plaster molds and imitative glaze surfaces. He also traveled extensively in Nepal and Thailand prior to pursuing graduate study.
Matt completed his Master of Fine Arts degree at Ohio University, in Athens. He was then awarded The Evelyn Shapiro Foundation Fellowship through The Clay Studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While working as a Resident Artist at The Clay Studio, Matt continued to show nationally and internationally and taught at several universities and art schools, including the University of Pennsylvania, Moore College of Art & Design and Arcadia University.
Matt has been the recipient of numerous awards. He has received a Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Grant, an Illinois Arts Council Fellowship, and several awards in national juried exhibitions. He has been active as a Visiting Artist at schools such as Syracuse University, Tyler School of Art, Northern Arizona University and Indiana University. Currently Area Head of the ceramics program at Skidmore College, his work is included in the collections of the DeYoung Museum (San Francisco), The Crocker Museum of Art (Sacramento), The Ceramic Research Center (Arizona State University), and many other public and private collections.
