Matt teaches digital imaging, traditional black and white photography, and digital art in the Art and New Media Departments at the University of Maine, and has been on the Maine Media summer faculty since 2006. A graduate of Boston University, Matt received his M.F.A. from Maine Media College, and began his professional career as a photojournalist working on newspaper staffs in New York, Michigan, and Massachusetts. Between 2002 and 2005, Matt lived in Seoul, Korea, photographing throughout the peninsula while teaching kindergarten and English. His photographs have been published and exhibited in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, where his work is currently represented by the Kim Young-Seob Gallery. In 2009 Matt co-founded a non-profit organization called Obscura, where he serves on the board of directors.
Scholastic Portfolio Development
This two-week program is designed for high school students between the ages of 16 and 18 who are about to prepare their college portfolio submisison.
The key components of any body of work are clear - concise vision supported by darkroom or digital craft. This advanced course for teens focuses on developing a high-quality, cohesive portfolio of photographs. Designed to help students understand photography and their own creative process, participants create a group of photographs that will impress college admissions boards and the art world alike. The process of creating work is as important as the final product. Through class discussion, fieldwork, and lab time, participants spend two weeks defining an idea, photographing, editing, printing and asking questions. From portfolio presentation to letters of recommendation, contemporary trends to possible schools, Matt assists students creatively and technically.
Students develop their printmaking craft in the darkroom or digital lab, making fine portfolio prints for presentation. Students not only learn how to print a cohesive collection of images, but also develop skills to write and speak about their work. Through lectures, slideshows, assignments, critique and guest speakers, students take their work to the next level and prepare themselves academic application. Students leave this workshop with not only a portfolio of 10-15 images, but also a greater understanding of the academic application process. The pre-requisite for this course is completion of an Advanced Young Artist course or equivalent, as students are expected to enter the Advanced Portfolio class with a solid foundation of either fine digital or traditional black-and-white printing.
About the Young Artists Program: Young Artists days are comprised of both classroom and field/location work: lectures and critique, demonstrations, shooting, editing, writing, computer workflow and/or darkroom work, depending on the workshop. All instructors are talented industry professionals as well as experienced educators, and each works with a teaching assistant, providing additional support for their class. The students are busy all day and into the mid-evening hours, attending presentations from visiting master faculty. All Young Artists reside at a nearby residence (a motel-style building, with four students to a room, gender specific, and private bath) located 3/4 of a mile from campus. The property is controlled by Maine Media Workshops and is used exclusively by students and their counselors. Students are shuttled to the main campus each morning for breakfast and to begin their day, and are driven back at the end of the each day, following their last class or other scheduled activity. All meals are taken together. Parents can indicate any special dietary needs upon registration. Counselors supervise the students 24 hours a day, and help make group decisions about weekend activities like swimming, bowling, and hiking. Coin laundry facilities are available on campus. A lobster dinner is served (there are other choices) on the last Friday night of each workshop, and all Workshops students gather for an evening presentation of highlights from the week’s work. Parents are welcome to attend and meal tickets may be purchased in the Registration Office.
We recommend students have access to $150 over the two-week period for incidentals, snacks, movies, field trips etc.
Check-in is on Sunday, between 3 and 6 and departure is on Saturday morning. Tuition Note: includes room and board
Testimonials:
"MMW has taught me so many things not only about media but also about myself as an artist and a person in general."
- Alicia Price, Lebanon, NH
"To any young artist looking for a chance to enrich their passion, Maine Media will provide the perfect environment and allow for great connections and inspirations to be made."
- Justin Schwartz, Nelson, NH
"It was such an enriching experience that really helped me master photographic skills."
- Meghan Prior, Westport, CT
"These workshops are always amazing and I know I'll be back next summer."
- Thomas Earle, Concord MA
"MMW has been such a life changing experience for me."
- Lily Plstein, Los Angeles, CA
