Art(s) on the Air with Matt Toole

<p>Join Tamara for an interview with Matt Toole ("Maker. Teacher. Explorer. Collector.") of Toole Sculpture Works. He creates contemporary artwork, custom furniture, lighting, and other unique objects for a variety of home and garden applications. Most elements are handcrafted from ferrous metals or upcycled from selected materials both manufactured and found in nature.</p> <p>Matt grew up around the barrier islands and salt marshes of Savannah, Georgia. He received a BFA from Georgia Southern in 1994, and an MFA from Southern Illinois University in 2000. He returned to Savannah for good around 2003, and then spent time as a professor at both Georgia Southern and at SCAD, before eventually creating his company and becoming a full-time sculptor. </p> <p>Check out Matt's work and follow him here:</p> <p><a href='https://www.instagram.com/toole_sculpture_works/'>https://www.instagram.com/toole_sculpture_works/</a> <a href='https://toolesculptureworks.com/'>https://toolesculptureworks.com/</a> </p> <p>Topics in their chat include:</p> <p>How Matt fell in love with pouring and melting metal during his BFA program for 3D art; working as an art mover and installer in Atlanta between undergrad and grad school; how seeing a George Beesley iron performance inspired him to go into iron casting and making art for a living; what's the difference between casting and forging?; the safety mishap he had during a metal splashing demo; how a Minnesota winter drive him back to Savannah for good, around 2003; how many of his commission clients want to collaborate on the thinking and planning processes and how much Matt enjoys that; his work with the city's Storm Drain and Rain Garden Flowers projects, educating kids (and adults!) about environmental issues; how towns with "bloom" in the name come from the steel industry, ex. Bloomington, Indiana; his upcoming group show at <a href='https://www.ologygallery.com/shows'>Ology Gallery</a> in October; and the music festival he's organizing for Nov 18 - a benefit for Pegasus Riding Academy