NEWS/EVENTS
The Maine Film Center in Waterville’s Paul J. Schupf Art Center is currently exhibiting five of Matt’s recent paintings. The show runs from January 15 to July 22. Ten percent of sales will be donated to the Youth Arts Access Fund, providing free admission to arts programming at PJSAC for youth ages 18 and under.
Thos. Moser Showroom & Gallery in Freeport recently showcased the works of artists featured in the newly-released book, Art of Penobscot Bay, by Carl Little and David Little. Matt has a painting in the book, and had two paintings in the show.
Ocean House Gallery’s 2023 Holiday Show included six of Matt’s paintings. Matt will have a solo show at the gallery in September and October 2024.
In October and November 2023, Maine Audubon hosted Brush with Nature, an exhibition featuring artwork created on-site at Audubon sanctuaries throughout the state. Matt’s selection, Afternoon at Fields Pond #3, was painted at the Fields Pond Audubon Sanctuary in Holden/Orrington.
In September 2023, Matt participated in Art Works for Humanity, a three-day plein air painting event to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County. His painting View from Camden Hills State Park sold at a live auction in the Belfast Boathouse.
In July 2023, Matt participated in Camden on Canvas, a three-day plein air painting event to benefit the Camden Public Library. His painting On the North Shore sold at a live auction in the library’s outdoor amphitheatre.
In June 2023, Matt participated in the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust’s 16th annual Paint for Preservation, a plein air painting event culminating in a live art auction to benefit CELT. He contributed four small paintings to the “mystery box” component of the event, as well as a larger painting executed on-site at Fort Williams.
In December and January ‘22/’23, Maine Audubon hosted 12: A Small Art Show, a salon-style group show of Maine artists presenting works 12″ x 12″ or smaller. Matt’s series Trees at Hamilton Audubon Sanctuary was included in the show at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth.
In September 2022, Colby News published an article by Claire Sykes entitled Plein-air Painter Matthew Russ ‘96 Finds Solace in the Natural World. Included in the written story is a companion video by Gabe Souza and Jasper Lowe that follows Matt and his father on a seaborne painting excursion on Penobscot Bay.
In September 2022, Matt participated in Brush with Nature, an art auction to benefit the Maine Audubon Society. His painting, Afternoon at Hamilton Audubon Sanctuary, sold at a live auction at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth.
In September 2022, Matt participated in Farm to Easel, an art auction to benefit the Wolfe’s Neck Center in Freeport. His painting, View from Wolfe’s Neck Center, sold at a live auction at the historic Mallet Barn.
In July 2022, Matt participated in Camden on Canvas, an outdoor painting event and collaboration between Page Gallery and Camden Public Library. His painting, View from Mount Battie, sold at auction to benefit the Camden Public Library.
In July 2022, Matt participated in the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust’s annual Paint for Preservation event. His painting Richmond Island from Crescent Beach State Park sold at a live auction to benefit the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust.
On December 17, 2021, Matt sat down with Dr. Lisa Belisle from Radio Maine for a conversation about art and life. Click here to watch the recorded interview.
16 of Matt’s new paintings were on display at Portland Art Gallery in November of 2021. The work explored Penobscot Bay from a variety of perspectives, underscoring the vastness and ever-changing beauty of this stretch of Maine’s coast.
In the spring, summer and fall of 2020, Matt collaborated with the Maine Island Trail Association and Portland Art Gallery on Project 20/20, an artistic exploration of the Maine Island Trail. To learn more about this 20-island journey to benefit the Maine Island Trail Association, read Bob Keyes’ article in the Portland Press Herald, and view a short film by Geoff Nickerson.
Portland Art Gallery’s June 2020 show featured new work by Matthew Russ, Jane Dahmen, and John Gable. Social-distancing protocol meant the opening reception was “virtual.”
On-site, a solo exhibition of recent paintings, was shown at Unity College Center for the Arts in October and November of 2019. On-site featured work from the Kennebec River to Penobscot Bay.
In August of 2019, Shaw Contemporary Jewelry in Northeast Harbor hostedThe Long View, an exhibition of recent paintings from Mount Battie, Great Spruce Head Island, Popham Beach, and more.
In July of 2019, Matt participated in ArtWeek 2019, an art residency on Great Spruce Head Island, the summer home of Fairfield and Eliot Porter.
On June 30, 2019, the painting Richmond Island from Kettle Cove sold at Paint for Preservation 2019, a wet-paint auction to benefit the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust.
On May 16, 2019, the painting View from Bald Rock Mountain #3 sold at Splash!, an auction to benefit the Maine Island Trail Association.
In April of 2019, Portland Art Gallery hosted a three-person exhibition showcasing recent paintings by Matt and fellow gallery artists Daniel Corey and Leon Anderson. Click here to view photos from the opening reception.
Matt was mentioned in artmaine Magazine’s 2019 Annual Guide. The article “Noteable Maine Artists” included his painting Richmond Island from the Northeast #5, and a description of his creative process.
A solo exhibition of Matt’s recent paintings was on display at Portland Art Gallery, 154 Middle Street, during the month of August in 2018. Click here to see a photo gallery from the opening reception.
On July 1, 2018, the painting Richmond Island from Crescent Beach sold at Paint for Preservation 2018, a wet-paint auction to benefit the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust. The painting also garnered the People's Choice Award.
On June 28, 2018, the painting Richmond Island from Two Lights State Park #5 sold at a silent auction to benefit the Maine Cancer Foundation. The auction, held at The Purpoodock Club in Cape Elizabeth, was organized by Matt’s hometown friends Sarah and Jess Jordan. Jess is a breast cancer survivor who participated in the "Tri for a Cure" triathlon.
On May 17, 2018, the painting Penobscot Bay from Mount Battie #1 sold at Splash!, a silent auction to benefit The Maine Island Trail Association. The event was held at East Coast Yacht Sales in Yarmouth.
On Aril 23, 2018, Matt visited again with art students from the Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki. During his visit, he continued a series of paintings started the previous fall.
The painting Long Pond #1 was featured in a two-page spread in artmaine Magazine’s 2018 Annual Guide. Click here to flip through the issue to pages 66-67.
On October 10, 2017, Matt visited with art students from the Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki. These high school juniors from across the country and around the world spend a full academic semester at the Chewonki campus in Wiscasset. During his visit, he completed a painting on Chewonki's waterfront. Click here to see a time-elapse video of the day.
On September 8, 2017, the painting On the East Side of Great Spruce Head Island #1 sold at an auction to benefit Maine Preservation. The event was held at Thompson's Point in Portland . The painting received top bid of the evening. Click here to see a photo gallery from the event.
On July 9, 2017, Matt participated in Paint for Preservation 2017, a wet-paint auction to benefit the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust. His painting Richmond Island from Crescent Beach sold at auction, and was chosen for People's Choice Award. Click here to see a photo gallery from the event. The newspapers Waterville Sentinel and Kennebec Journal later ran an article about the event and the award.
In June of 2017, the solo show Familiar Terrain was exhibited at the newly-renovated Gallery at the Grand in Kennebunk, and the brand-new Gallery at Bald Head Cliff in Cape Neddick.
On June 15, 2017, the painting View from Hoyt's Point sold at a silent auction to benefit the Maine Cancer Foundation. The auction, held at The Purpoodock Club in Cape Elizabeth, was organized by Matt’s hometown friends Sarah and Jess Jordan. Jess is a breast cancer survivor who participated in the "Tri for a Cure" triathlon. Click here to see a video of her inspiring story.
On June 7, 2017, Matt was a special guest at the Bette residence in Kennebunkport, part of the Kennebunkport Festival's Art of Dining series. His paintings were on display as guests enjoyed a meal by chef Guy Hernandez, proprietor of Portland's Lolita restaurant. Proceeds from the event benefitted Full Plates, Full Potential, whose mission is to end childhood hunger in Maine. Click here to see a photo gallery from the event.
On May 18th, 2017, the painting View from Hoyt's Point sold at Splash!, an auction to benefit the Maine Island Trail Association. Click here to see a photo gallery of the event, which was held at East Coast Yacht Sales in Yarmouth.
From May to October, 2017, the painting Winter on Mount Phillip #1 was on display in Maine Wood(s), an exhibition at the L.C. Bates Museum in Hinckley. The show was a collaborative effort between L.C. Bates Museum staff and two Colby College students under the supervision of Professor Véronique Plesch.
The August 2016 issue of DownEast Magazine included a full-page artist profile of Matt, who was among four artists chosen for the magazine's Art of Giving event. His painting Penobscot Bay from Bald Rock Mountain #5 was raffled to benefit LifeFlight of Maine. Click here to see the article.
In July and August of 2016, the solo show Views from a Portable Easel was exhibited at Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty in Damariscotta.
In July of 2016, Matt participated in Paint for Preservation 2016, a wet-paint auction to benefit the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust. The painting Richmond Island from Two Lights State Park sold at auction, and also tied for People's Choice Award. Click here to see a photo gallery from the event.
In June of 2016, Matt was a special guest at the Bette residence in Kennebunkport, part of the Kennebunkport Festival's Art of Dining series. His paintings were on display as guests enjoyed a meal by chef Guy Hernandez, proprietor of Portland's Lolita restaurant. Proceeds from the event benefitted Full Plates, Full Potential, whose mission is to end childhood hunger in Maine. Click here to see a photo gallery from the event.
In June of 2016, recent paintings were exhibited in Art.Works, a group show at Gallery at the Grand in Kennebunkport.
In May of 2016, Matt sat down for a conversation with Lisa Belisle at Portland Art Gallery. The interview originally aired as part of the weekend television program #MaineLife, on WGME CBS 13. Click here to watch the segment.
In May of 2016, the solo show Highlands to Islands was included in a writeup by Bob Keyes, Arts Reporter at Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram. Click here to read the article.
In May of 2016, the solo show Highlands to Islands was exhibited in Portland Art Gallery's brand-new, expanded exhibition space. Click here to see photos from the opening reception.
From May to October, 2016, the painting Kidder Pond was on display in Open Spaces: Reimagining Pastoral Maine, an exhibition at the L.C. Bates Museum in Hinckley. The show was a collaborative effort between L.C. Bates Museum staff and two Colby College students under the supervision of Professor Véronique Plesch.
In the Maine Home + Design 2016 Artist Listing, Matt was included in "Ones to Watch: Thirty-seven standout artists to keep your eye on this year." Click here to read the article.
In July of 2015, Matt participated in the Castine Plein Air Festival, completing a series of five paintings of Castine Harbor. The full series sold to a single collector, a seasonal resident of Castine. Click here to see a photo gallery from the event.
In July of 2015, the painting Vienna Mountain Road #3 sold at an auction to benefit Harlow Gallery in Hallowell.
In July of 2015, the painting Richmond Island sold at Paint for Preservation, Cape Elizabeth Land Trust's eighth annual wet paint auction. Click here to see a photo gallery from the event.
From May to October, 2015, the painting Watson Pond was on display in Seasonal Scenes: The Beauty of Rural Maine, an exhibition at the L.C. Bates Museum in Hinckley. The show was a collaborative effort between L.C. Bates Museum staff and two Colby College students under the supervision of Professor Véronique Plesch.
In June of 2015, recent paintings were exhibited in Art.Works, a group show at Gallery at the Grand in Kennebunkport.
In June of 2015, Matt was a special guest at the Kuehnle residence in Kennebunkport as part of the Kennebunkport Festival's Art of Dining series. Proceeds from the event benefitted Full Plates, Full Potential, whose mission is to end childhood hunger in Maine. Click here to see a photo gallery from the event.
In May of 2015, the painting Dusk on Vienna Mountain #1 was chosen for display in the Harlow Gallery’s 20th annual juried art show in Hallowell. The show was juried by art writer and critic Britta Koneau.
In April of 2015, Matt helped install an exhibition at Common Street Arts in Waterville entitled Underlying Threads: Interpreting the Textile History of a Mill Town.
In January of 2015, Matt helped a Colby College class install an art exhibition at Common Street Arts, a gallery in downtown Waterville. Entitled SomewHERE, the exhibition highlighted Chinese and Taiwanese artists living and working in Maine.
In November of 2014, Matt showed recent work at The Framemakers in Waterville with fellow painters Tom Higgins and Abbott Meader. The opening reception included music by Forrest Meader, refreshments by Barrels Community Market, and a wine tasting by Tree Spirits.
In August of 2014, the brand-new Portland Art Gallery opened on Middle Street. Matt was included in the inaugural show, and he continues to be represented there.
In July of 2014, the painting Richmond Island sold at Paint for Preservation, Cape Elizabeth Land Trust's seventh annual wet paint auction.
In June of 2014, Matt participated in Art.Works, a group show included in the Kennebunkport Festival.
In June of 2014, Matt was one of a dozen artists to participate in an art residency on Great Spruce Head Island in Penobscot Bay. The island is well-known through the photographs of Eliot Porter and the paintings of Fairfield Porter. Their niece, Anina Porter Fuller, was the host for the week, opening the family's "Big House" to use as a studio and home.
In May of 2014, Matt exhibited work at Gallery 75 on Market Street in Portland. This group show was included in Portland’s First Friday Art Walk.
In March of 2014, Matt joined Art Collector Maine (now Portland Art Gallery).
In November of 2013, Maine General Health opened its brand-new hospital in Augusta, which features original Maine artwork on the walls. Five of Matt’s paintings are included in the hospital’s permanent collection.
From June to October, 2013, Matt exhibited recent work at Waterfront Fine Arts in Bernard, on Mount Desert Island.
From May to October, 2013, the painting Great Pond from Mount Phillip hung in the L.C. Bates Museum in Hinckley as part of the exhibition The Gift of the Glacier: The Maine Landscape.
In May of 2013, the painting View from Vienna Mountain #1 was chosen for display in the Harlow Gallery’s 18th annual juried art show in Hallowell. The jurors were Daniel Kany and Bob Keyes.
In January and February, 2013, Matt exhibited recent work at The Last Unicorn Restaurant in Waterville.
In January of 2013, an image of the painting Sewell Beach Dunes #3 was featured in a series of note cards published by Maine Island Trail Association and sent to MITA’s major donors.
In December and January, 2012/2013, the painting Vienna Mountain Road #4 hung in the Harlow Gallery as part of the Kennebec Valley Art Association’s annual holiday art show.
In August of 2012, Matt participated as a guest artist in Project 0012, a show at Journey’s End Farm in Cape Elizabeth that featured work by alumni and current residents of the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture.
In July of 2012, the painting View from The Mountain sold at a fundraising auction for the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance in Belgrade Lakes Village.
In July of 2012, Matt exhibited recent paintings at the Maine Lakes Resource Center in Belgrade Lakes Village. A portion of sales from the show was donated to MLRC.
In May of 2012, the painting View from Vienna Mountain #4 was chosen for display in the Harlow Gallery’s 17th annual juried art show in Hallowell.
In April of 2012, the painting Sprague Marsh in a Snowstorm was presented to Peter DeTroy, recipient of the University of Maine Law School Distinguished Alumni Award.
In March of 2012, the paintings Kidder Pond and View from Vienna Mountain #2 were chosen for display in the Maine Open Juried Art Show in Waterville.
In January of 2012, Matt was interviewed by Brenda Bonneville for Maine Art Scene, an online magazine of Maine arts and culture.
In January of 2012, Matt exhibited recent paintings at The Schoolhouse Gallery in Kingfield, home of nature photographers John and Cynthia Orcutt.
In September of 2011, Matt exhibited recent paintings at the Maine Lakes Resource Center In Belgrade Lakes Village. A portion of sales from the show was donated to MLRC.
In July of 2011, the painting View from Blueberry Hill #2 was featured in Colby Magazine.
http://www.colby.edu/colby.mag/issues/58/article/1283/kennebec-highlands-vista
In March of 2011 the paintings Hoyt Island from Mount Phillip and Great Pond Islands from Mount Phillip were chosen for display at the Maine Open Juried Art Show in Waterville. The latter was awarded the Roderick A. Robinson Memorial Award for Realistic Mainescape.