Matt Higgins
610.308.4860
2348 E Letterly Street
Philadelphia, PA
Education
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
MFA 2017
West Chester University, West Chester, PA
BFA Studio Art 2011
Solo Exhibitions
2021
“A Closer Look” FRIEDA - Philadelphia,PA
Group Exhibitions
2023
“New Now VI” InLiquid Gallery - Philadelphia, PA
2022
“Trust Falls” Fjord Gallery - Philadelphia, PA
“Work” Launderette Records curated by Scott Cooper - Philadelphia, PA
2021
“Faculty Exhibition” Delaware County Community College - Media, PA
2019
“Voices” FRIEDA - Philadelphia, PA
“Inside The Bug Jar” Alumni Show - West Chester University - West Chester, PA
“Homeroom: Self Titled” - Kitchen Table Gallery - Philadelphia, PA
2018
“215/610 Contemporary” Juried Exhibition of Regional Emerging Artists - Delaware County Community College - Media, PA
“Casual Sequence" - Spillway Collective - Philadelphia, PA
2017
"116th Annual Student Exhibition" - Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
"Way of Light" - FMC Corporation - Philadelphia, PA
"Good Fellows Juried Exhibition" - Gallery 128 at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (Juried)
2016
"Nostalgic Memory”- Gallery 8 at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
“Young Philadelphians” - Works On Paper Gallery - Philadelphia, PA
"Future’s Past Juried Exhibition” - Gallery 128 at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
“Philly Art Schools Juried Show” – Tyler School of Art – Philadelphia, PA
2015
“152nd Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings Juried Show ” - Philadelphia Sketch Club - Philadelphia, PA
Awards and Honors
Third Place Award - “215/610 Contemporary” - Delaware County Community College Media, PA 2018
FMC Committee Selection Award - FMC Corporation, Philadelphia,PA 2017
Venture Fund Grant Recipient- Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
MFA Merit Award - Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts - Philadelphia, PA 2015
Collections and Special Projects
Upcoming 2024
Artwork featured in upcoming Apple TV+ show
Collection of prints featured in a luxury hotel based in Wilmington, DE
2016
FMC Corporation - Philadelphia,PA
Numerous private collections across the United States, Canada and abroad
Teaching Experience
Core Skills:
Drawing with a wide range of materials - representational and abstract
Painting in oils and acrylics - representational and abstract
Graphic Design basics (typography, layout and conceptual thinking)
Creative process and design thinking
Professional level skills in Adobe Creative Suite
Ability to reference art historical movements and practices accurately
Keen awareness and knowledge of contemporary art practices and philosophy
Extensive knowledge of contemporary and traditional art materials
Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA - Adjunct Professor 2021 - Present
Foundation Courses:
Design 1: Design I is an intensive studio based course encompassing the visual language of two-dimensional design. Students will be given a series of proposed visual problems to solve through the use of black and white media comprising: paint, collage, cut-paper, and multimedia. With the completion of these projects students will gain an understanding of the elements and principles of design and have basic skill sets to guide them through the remaining Design Foundation Sequence.
Design 2: Color - Design 2 is the second course of the Design Foundation Sequence. It is an intensive studio based course encompassing the visual language of color theory, color application and two-dimensional design. Students will be given a series of proposed visual problems to solve through the use of color based media comprising: paint, Color Aid, collage, and multimedia. With the completion of these projects students will gain an understanding of the structure of color in design. This course builds on the skill sets established in Design I.
Design 3: 3D Design - Design 3 covers the perception and ordering of three-dimensional space. It includes new methods and materials in the final course of the Design Foundations sequence. This course is an introduction to the various aspects of three-dimensional design and is a preparatory course for students wishing to continue in the applied arts. The objective of this course is to become familiar with the elements, principles, structures and various, basic constructional methods of three-dimensional design.
Other Courses:
Digital Imaging - This course explores the fundamentals of computer design software including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Projects include graphics creation and manipulation; image acquisition, text creation and manipulation; typography; input and output options and control; hardware/software/system fundamentals; and troubleshooting as they relate to the creative industries.
Design for Media - In this course, students learn and use the essential concepts and language associated with design employing a variety of black and white and colored media. These visually based concepts will create a strong foundation for any arts or media related discipline. Through exercises, projects, and demonstrations, students will gain an understanding of how these concepts will translate to their own skills and working methods, allowing them to develop specific interests into compelling projects and solutions.
Moore College of Art and Design - Philadelphia, PA - Adjunct Professor 2021 - Present
Foundation Course:
2D Design - In this class students will use traditional, digital and lens-based media to explore the two-dimensional organizing principles of imagery and surface in art and design. Through various methods of generating planar imagery students will acquire effective methods and tools to communicate visually. Course content will explore representational and abstract imagery and how it is affected by context in visual culture.
Delaware County Community College - Media, PA - Adjunct Professor 2018 - Present
Foundation Courses:
2D Design - This course is an introductory course that entails deliberate visual decision-making based on the elements and principles of design on a two-dimensional surface. A variety of media including wet, dry and or digital possibilities will be a focus of this course. Demonstration, discussion and formal critiques will augment studio work for the structure of each class.
Drawing 1 - This course puts emphasis on general foundation drawing skills. A variety of wet and dry media including color media will be a focus in this course. Subject matter will expand from still-life to more conceptually based integration of various imagery. Demonstration, discussion and formal critiques will augment studio work.
Devon Preparatory School - Devon, PA - Middle School and High School Art and Technology Teacher 2019 - 2021
Classes Taught: 6th Grade Discovery Arts, 7th Grade Art Explorations, 8th Grade Experienced Arts, High School Studio Art, 6th and 7th Grade Technology and Design
High school student advising
Curriculum writing for middle school art and technology programs
Middle school art club moderator
Portside Arts Center - Philadelphia, PA - Art Teacher 2018 - 2019
Classes taught: Summer art camp ages 7-9, after school arts program ages 7-9
Our Lady of Port Richmond and Holy Innocence Schools - Philadelphia, PA - Art Teacher 2017 - 2018
Classes taught: PreK - 8th Grade Art classes
Graduate Teaching Experience 2015 - 2016
Resident Critic – Post Baccalaureate Program - Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts - Philadelphia, PA
Teacher’s Assistant – Subject, Form, and Content - Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts - Philadelphia, PA
Teacher’s Assistant – Life Painting - Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts - Philadelphia, PA
Visiting Critic – Advanced Painting – West Chester University