Lydel Matthews received her B.A. in Art Education from the University of Florida in 2009. True to her Southern roots, she enjoys the challenge of re-purposing materials. A strong interest in alternative teaching environments led her to serve as art educator at The Wiregrass Museum of Art for over three years. In this position she developed partnerships with schools, community centers, and patient care facilities in Florida and Alabama. She enjoys designing curriculum-based art lessons, working with all ages and abilities, and hosting events and workshops that thrive on exploration. Her current research investigates the relationship between art, culture and social justice.
Lydel completed an internship in Peru this past summer with Awamaki and looks forward to empowering individuals, artisan cooperatives, and social enterprises throughout Latin America and the United States when she graduates. When she’s not out making connections, she’s serving up Willamette Valley’s finest Pinot Noir at Sarver Winery. With ELAN, Lydel hopes to incite young professionals to become more active in the arts and support the nexus of creativity! She is excited to work with the new leadership team to grow membership, seek new opportunities for development and further define what it means to be an emerging leader.
Way to go Lydel!