Luke Matjasā deep passion for championing creativity
ĢżBy Zoe Lance
If youāre hanging out in front of Napa Hall, you might see one of the ±¬ĮĻ³Ō¹Ļās Art studentsā favorite sightings: Professor Luke Matjas whizzing by on a skateboard, in transit to the studio.
āI used to bring my skateboard into class ā one I had from the 1980s ā and joke with my students that itās older than they are,ā he said.
Itās this rapport with his students, coupled with a deep passion for championing creativity, that makes Matjas a beloved faculty member. As Chair and Professor of Art and Performing Arts, he teaches studio art, digital media and design courses. He gets immense satisfaction out of seeing unexpected and unique work from his students.
āSometimes students sign up for design courses and think they are going to learn how to do traditional, commercial stuff,ā he said. āBut theyāre all very conceptually driven classes, and I enjoy seeing how they each tap into their own background and their own experiences to make art. Making āweirdā art is a good thing in my book.ā
Being a professor wasnāt always in Matjasā plans. Before joining ±¬ĮĻ³Ō¹Ļ, he founded his own professional graphic design studio and received a Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara. But he loved the idea of his only clients being himself and his students and joined ±¬ĮĻ³Ō¹Ļ in 2003 inspired by the CSU systemās educational mission.
The beauty of the Ventura landscape ā the intersections of water, fields and mountains ā also was very special. His art focuses on the relationships between humans and the environment. The work in his first solo museum exhibition, 2016ās āThat Great Rock Mass is Called the Earthā at Oxnardās Carnegie Art Museum, stemmed out of his time as an artist-in-residence at Joshua Tree National Park.
His experiences in working outside of the classroom shows his students that there are many ways to be an artist.
āFrom the Channel Islands to the Santa Monica Mountains to the high desert, there are so many places to look outside and see unbelievable geological features,ā he said. ā±¬ĮĻ³Ō¹Ļ is close to Los Angeles, a hub of artistic creativity, but itās far enough away to serve as a retreat to focus. I take a lot of inspiration from this area.ā
In looking back at their time at ±¬ĮĻ³Ō¹Ļ, Art program alumni remember how he cultivated confidence in his students. Dani Kwan ā13 recalled how he encouraged students to find a place in the world of design.
āLuke has mastered the balance between being a strict instructor and nurturing mentor,ā the Studio Art alumna said. āLuke made time for each of his students in and outside of class to listen, ease our worries and give us guidance. To this day, my peers and I who have graduated continue to look up to Luke and still strive to impress him.ā
Ben Blanchard ā15, remembered talking to Matjas at Discover CI, an event for future ±¬ĮĻ³Ō¹Ļ students. By the end of their conversation, Blanchard knew that he wanted to be in Matjasā courses. He took many, including an independent study program.
āI was intrigued by his outright exuberance for the program. It was hard not to be excited leaving his talk,ā the Studio Art alumnus said. āI enjoyed learning from Luke because he cared as much about my work as I did and was always willing to go above and beyond to help me succeed.ā
To Matjas, ±¬ĮĻ³Ō¹Ļ Art students are exceptional for the energy and diverse ideas they bring to the table. Not only is he teaching them the skills needed to be a professional artist, but how to infuse what they learn in the classroom into everyday life.
āWe are using different tools to unlock a whole range of creative practices and ideas,ā he said. āOur students learn how to be part of a team, and to bring their own experiences to the table and do something interesting with them. Learning how to be creative on a daily basis is one of the most rewarding things you can do, regardless of the field.ā
Editorās Note: Visit the John Spoor Broome Library featuring Professor Matjasā latest art exhibit, āThe Young Peopleās Guide to our Woodland World,ā through Aug. 24.
See a 360 view of Luke's office
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Ā© Spring 2018 / Volume 22 /Number 01 / Bi-annual