![]() NC Living Magazine Fall 2024
The Plateau of Highlands, Cashiers, Sapphire and Lake Toxaway, North Carolina have long been a favorite space of mine for creative inspiration. It's also been where many of my clients have been located over the years. I'm pleased to have been featured in this stunning edition of NC Living Magazine's Fall 2024 issue with a four-page article. To read the entire article, please visit http://www.ncliving.com/blog/posts/2024/09/01/nc-living-fall-2024/ |
The Daily Shot Blog - Garden&Gun
To many Southerners, kudzu is a pesky intruder. But to Asheville, North Carolina–based Matt Tommey, the leafy vine is something quite different: a self-replenishing supply for his art. For the sculptural basketry artist, necessity was not the mother of invention—abundance was. When a book on basket weaving caught Tommey’s eye as a student at the University of Georgia... Read the Article "Weaving Kudzu into Art" |
Featured Artist in 2016 Excellence in Fibers International Competition
Matt Tommey's sculptural works were included both in winners and runner up categories during the 2016 Excellence in Fibers International Competition, hosted by Fiber Art Now Magazine, the leading American fiber publication. His piece "Open Vessel" was a winner, included in a 50 artist collection and his "Blue Boat" piece was included in an honorable mention category of pieces that received very high marks during the jury process, but did not quite make the cutoff. |
Our State Magazine
"You might think of Asheville artist Matt Tommey as a tamer of wild things: In snarls of kudzu, tangles of grapevines, and knots of honeysuckle, he finds order, weaving elaborate baskets that are more sculptures than receptacles." Read the article: Matt Tommey's Vine Art Baskets |
Martha Stewart American Made Finalist
"Martha Stewart's American Made spotlights the maker, supports the local, and celebrates the handmade. Martha is selecting the next generation of American Made entrepreneurs, those who are creating beautiful, inspiring, useful products; pioneering new industries; improving local communities; and changing the way we eat, shop, work, and live. Watch the video and learn more about the program." Matt was selected as one of 10 finalists in the crafts division. See Matt's feature here. |
The Laurel of Asheville
Read below to see two of Matt's features in this local publication supporting arts and culture throughout Western North Carolina. See the print feature: Grovewood Gallery Hosts Artist Demonstrations WNC Design Guide Feature: Spring Show at the Studios in Flat Rock |
WNC Magazine
WNC magazine is a bimonthly publication that captures the grandeur of the North Carolina mountains and the lifestyle of its residents through stunning photography and captivating storytelling. Every issue is a celebration of the people, culture, arts, crafts, architecture, history, and foodways of Western North Carolina. Read more: Out of the Woods |
Garden & Gun
In one of the finest representations of Southern lifestyle, this magazine shares a spotlight on Matt's work and working it into your holiday table. Read the article: Holiday Table Ideas |
Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles
In the April 2016 issue, a feature on the Cashiers, North Carolina designer home showcased some of Matt's sculptural basketry work. Read the article: Carolina Cool |
The Citizen-Times, Asheville
"His use of texture and materials is fantastic," said Russell Gale, manager at Grovewood Gallery, which sells Tommey's work. “What I’m really drawn to are the incredible textures that he gets. He’s always pushing his own boundaries. He’s starting to use encaustic wax, and he’s putting copper into them now." Read the article: Artist Matt Tommey Recasts Nature By Transforming Kudzu |
Atlanta Journal Constitution
"Baskets bring a simple warmth and beauty to a home — especially the one-of-kind sculptural baskets by North Carolina’s Matt Tommey." See the print feature: Elegance in Nature |
Carolina Home and Garden
"Acclaimed Asheville basketmaker Matt Tommey can also weave a great tale. He starts his story in rural South Georgia with a young and curious country boy, a lover of the great outdoors and working with his hands. He quickly loops to the University of Georgia bookstore, where an inquisitive student stumbles upon — and takes home and studies — a willow basketmaking tome. Then he delicately guides you to Athens’ kudzu-covered riverbanks where an unconventional artist was born." Read the rest of the article: Pushing Basketry's Boundaries |
National Basketry Organization
"Past accolades are only the beginning for Matt Tommey, and he is confident in the future he has with his art. He aspires to raise awareness of the craft, experiment with new forms and mentor emerging artists in order to leave a legacy for future generations." Read the feature here: Matt Tommey's Baskets Begin with a Walk in the Woods |
Mountain Xpress of Asheville
“I’m all one big mess of kudzu,” he says. “A husband, a father, a speaker, a teacher, an artist and a father to other artists!” Whereas most view kudzu as nothing more than an invasive nuisance, Tommey continues to weave it into beautifully constructed, ornate basket sculptures, incorporating wasps nests, grapevines and laurel branches into the design." Read more: Asheville Art Talk |
Textile Arts Center
Based in Brooklyn, New York, the Textile Arts Center features blogs from various textile artists. Matt is featured in two blogs on their site based on a visiting class he taught on site in Brooklyn. Read more: Importance of Vessels - Basket Making Workshop & Natural Basket Making with Matt Tommey |
Mountain Made
The Mountain Made store in Asheville, North Carolina's historic Grove Arcade ran a feature on my work in their store and on their site. They are a great store with a fine collection of Western North Carolinian artists and craftsmen and women. Read the article here: Asheville's Matt Tommey Transforms Kudzu |
Simply Appalachian
"And while he develops an international audience and reputation, he knows that his creative career blossomed in the Southern Appalachians. “My artwork brings the beauty of nature into the home in a way that’s approachable yet elegant. I always tell people that Asheville is the center of the universe for fine craft, so in that respect, being here has been a real game-changer for me.” See more: Matt Tommey Sculptural Art Baskets |
WNC Design Guide
The Western North Carolina Design guide was crafted with the luxury home in mind. With a collection of twenty four fabulous artists ranging in medium from basketry to ceramics, furniture, and glasswork, the WNC Design guide is a passport to some of the areas finest artists. Matt's work is featured in the design guide, and it is available here on their website. Download the guide: WNC Design Guide |
Daily Art Muse
"North Carolina’s Matt Tommey combines traditional techniques and rustic materials in his contemporary take on basket sculpture. The artist uses vines – glorious vines like honeysuckle, wisteria and kudzu, weaving them into basket vessels to create unusual and striking wall and fireplace mantel sculptures." Read the article here: Matt Tommey - The Weaving is the Easy Part |
Art Business Institute
"Matt Tommey is a contemporary basketry artist following his dream. He shares his journey to working full time at his craft." The Art Business Institute was founded as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2002 to serve a crucial, common need in the art- and craft-making communities – practical business education for creative entrepreneurs. Read the full feature: Matt Tommey - Sculptural Basketry Artist |
Art Connections
Matt is a featured artist on Sherry Masters' expert ArtConnections Tours of Asheville's art scene. With a focus on the River Arts District, Sherry leads visitors through the best spots to find beautiful art in town. Learn about Art Connections: Matt Tommey |
Rapid River Magazine
Rapid River Magazine featured Matt's artwork and discussed his process of commissions for his clients. "Over the years, one of the most special parts of my creative process has been my interaction with my clients. Nowadays, I have the opportunity to visit with my clients in their homes, discuss our collaborative vision for their space and even Harvest materials from their property." See the full article: Interview with Matt Tommey |