Open Studio: Mathew Cerletty
May 2, 2016

In our Open Studio program for families on April 2-3, artist Mathew Cerletty invited participants to think of an object that is important to them. Families then chose a photograph representing an environment or setting—such as an underwater reef, a forest, a view of outer space, or a red carpet—and painted their object into the scene. This process was inspired by Cerletty’s own paintings which often combine personal memories and everyday subjects in mysterious settings. His work was on view in the Flatlands exhibition. The artist was in the Hearst Artspace on Saturday afternoon to talk with families.

Kids and families got to work, planning their compositions by making a simple sketch of an object on translucent paper and positioning it on the background image. This activity helped kids try out different compositions and creative ideas.

They then experimented with color mixing and painting their objects into the background picture. Billie Rae Vinson, Coordinator of Family Programs remarked: “It was most exciting to hear families engaged in conversation with the artist about his career and his practice—the decisions he makes and how he creates his paintings. Cerletty himself commented on how important it is to meet artists when you’re a kid and to know it’s a possibility for them too.”

Learn more about Family Programs here.

Dina Helal, Manager of Education Resources