He has a M.F.A. in Painting from New York Academy of Art and a B.A. from Wheaton College (IL). Matt is also a certified art teacher in Wisconsin and Missouri, having taught middle and high school art for five years in Milwaukee and St. Louis. His artistic interests are wide ranging, from traditional illusionistic representation to conceptual abstraction, often exploring themes of justice and sustainability. He firmly believes in making the visual arts an integral part of local communities, serving on the Sioux Center Recreation and Arts Council, and leading community art classes. Matt lives Sioux Center, with his wife Becky, two daughters, and son. They love good books, good music, good food, and spending lots of time together outdoors.