The Forgotten Dialect of the Heart​

Opening Reception    May 31st, 2025    4pm-6pm
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Show runs from -
May 31st, 2025 - July 26th, 2025
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​​​​(Click above image for press kit)​

These 6 paintings represent a fraction of the upcoming exhibit.

​Artist - Matt Voelker

Statement

My current work as an abstract painter embodies a continuous act of noticing and questioning, a relentless pursuit of understanding and connection. Immersing myself in this studio practice is my primary concern, where each moment is an exploration.

Inspired by Jack Gilbert’s poem "The Great Fires," I view passion as "a fire made of many woods." I stoke this fire by layering experiences over time, weaving together acts of concealing and revealing, frustration and wonder. As each painting approaches resolution, I remain open to surprise, welcoming the unexpected outcomes that emerge from risk and play.
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Color and mark-making resonate deeply in my work, inviting both exhaustion and exhilaration. Each completed piece is not an end but a new beginning, propelling me to dive back into the creative process with renewed enthusiasm.

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Biography

Matt Voelker is a mixed media artist working primarily with color abstraction. Art for him is the relentless pursuit of a creative life. Through this pursuit he creates works that grow layer by layer alongside his lived experiences as a husband, father, friend, and teacher. 

Matt is a 23-year veteran high school art educator who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education and an MFA in Ceramics, both from Towson University. His practice in the classroom focuses primarily on students finding and developing their own authentic voice. He has been nominated for multiple MAEA awards, including High School Art Educator of the Year and the Teacher as Practicing Artist Award. He has presented work on these topics at the state level and as a mentor teacher for Baltimore County Public Schools. He is currently teaching in the studios at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, a regional magnet school for the arts in Maryland.
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A lifelong resident of the Baltimore region, Matt can be found stretching his experience rock climbing and hiking as well as sitting around the table for board game night with those closest to him.

Website - www.mattvoelker.com/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/matt.voelker.5209
Instagram - ​www.instagram.com/matt_voelker_/