ONE-PERSON EXHIBITIONS / NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES
2016
Performance: “Transformative Processes: The Sculptural Work of Matt Toole”, Augusta University, Mary S. Byrd Gallery, Westabou Festival, Augusta, GA
2014
Performance: “Meitheal na hAbhann: A Collective Gathering at the River,” Kennedy Quay, Cork, Ireland*
2011
Exhibition of Images, Video and Prototypes from the Performance: “Kinship: A Tribute of Iron,” University of South Carolina Beaufort Gallery, Beaufort, SC
Exhibition of Images, Video and Prototypes from the Performance: “Kinship: A Tribute of Iron,” Indigo Sky Gallery, Savannah, GA
2010
Performance: “Kinship: A Tribute of Iron,” 6th International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art, Kidwelly, Wales, UK*
2008
Exhibition: “Kinetic Sculpture/Performance Video,” City of Savannah S.P.A.C.E. Gallery, Savannah, GA
Performance: “Stairway to Hephaestus,” Roundhouse Railroad Museum, Savannah, GA
2006
Performance: “Fire Performance: Law of Unintended Consequences,” Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
2001
Performance: “Industry for Art’s Sake: Bent Line in Earth,” John Michael Kohler Art’s Center, Sheboygan, WI
2000
Performance: “Time Wedge,” State University of West Georgia, Carrolton, GA
MFA Thesis Exhibition: “Ferruginous Artifacts,” Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL
MFA Thesis Performance: “Ferruginous Pyre: An Iron Opus,” SIUE Arboretum, Edwardsville IL
1999
Performance: “In Ferrous Defense of the Lost", The Lost Gallery, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland*
1998
Performance: “Ferro-Matic: Fire and Water,” Mid America College Art Association Conference, Lexington, KY
1997
Performance: “Iron Trough,” Edwardsville, IL
1994
BFA Exhibition: “Immovable Feast,” Gallery 303, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
EXHIBITIONS / PERFORMANCES
2016
Exhibition: “Longleaf Regenerated, A Celebration of the Longleaf Ecosystem,” Marriott Savannah Riverfront, Savannah, GA
Film Exhibition of Performances: “Meitheamah: Midsummer Transfer at Pedvale’” and “Meitheal na hAbhann: A Collective Gathering at the River,” Curtis Arts and Humanities Center, “Fire = Iron = Art” Festival, Greenwood Village, CO
2015
Film Exhibition of Performances: “Meitheamah: Midsummer Transfer at Pedvale’” and “Meitheal na hAbhann: A Collective Gathering at the River,” with Mid-South Sculpture Alliance, Ernest G Welch School of Art at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Film Exhibition of Performances: “Meitheamah: Midsummer Transfer at Pedvale’” and “Meitheal na hAbhann: A Collective Gathering at the River,” Brevard Invitational Iron Exhibition, Brevard College, Brevard, NC
Group Exhibition (featuring): “Meitheamah: Midsummer Transfer at Pedvale’” and “Meitheal na hAbhann: A Collective Gathering at the River,” National Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art and Practices, Sloss Furnaces, Birmingham AL
Exhibition: “Iron Tribe”, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM
2014
Performance: “Meitheamah: Midsummer Transfer at Pedvale’. Collaborative performance with George Beasley, Pedvale’",” Open Air Museum, Sabile, Latvia
2013
Performance: “The Kraken & Lovely Lever Mechanism,” Performing Iron II, University of Colorado, Denver, CO
2012
Exhibition: US / UK Olympic Invitational Exhibition, Salem Court House / North Main, Salem, NY
National Juried Group Show: Western Cast Iron Art Conference, Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art [curator: Michael Chavez], Fort Hays State University, Rarick Hall, Hays KS
Performance: “Lovely Lever Mechanism", Performing Iron, University of Colorado, Denver, CO
2011
Exhibition: “Form and Context,” Savannah State University, Savannah, GA
Exhibition: “SCAD Foundations Faculty Exhibition,” Wallin Hall, Savannah, GA
2010
Exhibition: “Exquisite Cupola,” Collaborative Furnace, West Wales School of the Arts, Camarthen, Wales, UK*
Exhbition: “Form and Context,” Highpoint Furniture Show, Highpoint, NC
Exhibition: “Spill: In Response to the Gulf Oil Disaster,” Indigo Sky Gallery, Savannah, GA
2009
Exhibition: “Iron Pour Blood: An Exhibition of Cast Iron,” Quarter Gallery, University of Minnesota Regis Center for Art, Minneapolis, MN
Exhibition: “Imagillaboration: National Sculpture Project,” Haley – Henman Gallery, Dallas, TX
Exhibition: “Imagillaboration: National Sculpture Project,” Georgia Perimeter College, Atlanta, GA
Exhibition: “Imagillaboration: National Sculpture Project,” Space 301 Gallery, Mobile, AL
Exhibition: “Imagillaboration: National Sculpture Project,” Museum of Contemporary Art, Jacksonville, FL
Collaborative Performance: “Seeing Sounds,” Telfair Museum of Arts and The Savannah Music Festival, The Jepson Center for the Arts, Savannah, GA
2009
Collaborative Installation/Performance: “Seeing Sounds,” S.P.A.C.E. Gallery, City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs, Savannah, GA
2008
Exhibition: “Southern Heat,” Jacksonville Community College, Jacksonville, FL
2007
Exhibition: “Indigo Sky First Annual Holiday Fundraiser Exhibition,” Indigo Sky Gallery, Savannah, GA
Exhibition: “Iron Tribe”, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM
Exhibition: “About Sculpture,” Savannah College of Art and Design, Pinnacle Gallery, Savannah, GA
2006
Exhibition: “Major Works,” 1600 Gallery, Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta, GA
Exhibition: Curator and collaborator of “Exquisite Cupola: CupolAesthetics (Iron Furnace Sculpture),” Iron Bridge Gorge Museum Gallery, Iron Bridge, England*
2005
Exhibition: “05.06 Faculty Exhibition,” Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Exhibition: “05.06 Faculty Exhibition,” Gallery 33 West, Statesboro, GA
Exhibition: “The Faculty Show: An Exhibition of Regional Art Faculty in Southeast Georgia,” Averitt Center for the Arts, Statesboro, GA
Exhibition: “Iron Tribe 2005”, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM
Collaborative Performance: “Toole-O-Matic, Pouring Device,” New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM
2004
Exhibition: “Faculty Exhibition,” Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Exhibition: “Musings of the Big Red A: The Artists of Meadowlark Studio,” Indigo Sky Gallery, Savannah, GA
2003
Exhibition: “3rd Bi-National Art Exhibit 200” Invitational (Catalogue), (CCPA) Centro Cultural Paraguayo Americano, Asuncion, Paraguay*
Performance: “Rise of the Vulcanites III,” Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN
Exhibition: “Iron Tribe ’03”, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM
Collaborative Performance: “Toole-O-Matic, Pouring Device,” “Iron Tribe ‘03”, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM
2002
Performance: “Rise of the Vulcanites: Phase II - Indulgence,” Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN
2002
Exhibition: “HIP Invitational Cast Metal Exhibition,” University of Minnesota, Morris, MN
Collaborative Performance: Curator and creator of “Jolly-Wadi-Ma-Jig #46, Pouring Device,” Ferro Chakra: Fourth International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art, Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton, NJ
Exhibition: “2300 F – 2002: Contemporary Sculpture in Cast Iron,” Grounds for Sculpture Museum [Curator: Kathleen Whitney], Hamilton, NJ
2002
Exhibition: Curator and creator of “CupolAesthetics: Iron Furnace Sculpture,” Johnson Atelier Extension Gallery, Hamilton, NJ
2001
Exhibition: “Vane,” Anurag Art Foundry, Stillwater, MN
Performance: “Rise of the Vulcanites,” Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN
Exhibition: “Iron Tribe”, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM
2000
Performance: “Wood River Stacks,” In Form Arts Group, Lemp Brewry, St. Louis, MO
Exhibition: “Melt Zone,” Limousine Bull Artist Collective, Aberdeen, Scotland*
Exhibition: “Iron,” Duff House, National Gallery of Scotland, Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland*
1999
Exhibition: “Iron Revival: A Tent Exhibition,” Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, Birmingham, AL
Exhibition: “Implements of Construction,” Sculptors At Wagner Group Exhibition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
Exhibition: “Annual Graduate Exhibition,” Southern Illinois University Edwardsville [Juror: Gail Severn], Edwardsville, IL
1998
Performance: “House is Not a Home,” Convergence Fire Festival, Providence, RI
Performance: “Ferro-Matic: Liquid Iron Propulsion Machine,” Third International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art, Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton, NJ
Exhibition: “Annual Graduate Exhibition,” Southern Illinois University Edwardsville [Juror: Bonnie Speed], Edwardsville, IL
1997
Exhibition: “Mentor/Student Group Exhibition,” Illinois Wesleyan University [Mentor: Thomas Gipe], Bloomington, IL
Performance: “Whirly Spew,” Southeast Regional Iron Conference, Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, Birmingham, AL
Performance: “Firemouth,” University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Exhibition: Curator of and exhibitor in “Edgewood Sculpture Forum Group Show”, Righteous Room, Atlanta, GA
Exhibition: “Central Metals Recycling Show,” Atlanta City Hall, Atlanta, GA
1994
Exhibition: “Reciprocity: The Passage of Life,” World Cafe, Statesboro, GA
NOTABLE PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
2018
”Legacy Giving Tree,” United Way of the Coastal Empire, Savannah GA
2009
“Dipper,” Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Aerial Root,” Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
2006
“Exquisite Cupola,” Iron Bridge Gorge Museum Trust, Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, England*
2005
“Rise of the Vulcanites,” Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Arts, Red Wing, MN
2003
“Toole-O-Matic",” New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM
2001
“Industry For Art’s Sake: Bent Line in Earth,” John Michael Kohler Art’s Center, Sheboygan, WI
1998
“Hill-Site-Casting",” Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL
2000
“Ferruginous Pyre: An Iron Opus, (Armature for Wisteria),” Project for the Donal G. Myer Arboretum, Office of Development and Public Affairs, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL
1996
“Untitled” Original Performance Sculpture, Georgia State University Art Department, Atlanta, GA
1996
“Composition IV +/-,” King and Spalding Law Firm, Atlanta, GA
1998
“Metropolis, 1993, and Ignis IV,” Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
1999
“In Ferrous Defense of the Lost,” Aberdeen Arts Council, The Lost Gallery and The Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland*
GRANTS / FELLOWSHIPS / HONORS
2014
Sabbatical Award for Iron R 2, Savannah College of Art and Design, Cork, Ireland*
2010
Presidential Fellowship for Faculty Development, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
2005
Chancellor’s Award, University System of Georgia/Americas Council, Atlanta, GA
2002
Jerome Fellowship Award, Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN
2001
Jerome Fellowship Award, Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN
2000
International Bursary Award, Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Lumsden, Scotland*
1999
Research Grants for Graduate Students (RGGS), Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL
Carey Orness Sculpture Award, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL
1998
Graduate Student Travel Grant, SIUE Friends of Art, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL
Carey Orness Sculpture Award, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL
1994
First Place Award, “Miscellany” Georgia Southern University's Magazine of the Arts, Statesboro, GA
1993
Betty Foy Sanders Art Scholarship, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
VISITING ARTIST / LECTURES
2016
Lecture: “Transformative Processes: The Sculptural Work of Matt Toole,” Mary S. Byrd Gallery, Westabou Festival, Augusta University, Augusta, GA
2014
Presentation: “Performance in Iron,” Seventh International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art, Pedvale Open Air Museum, Sabile, Latvia
Lecture: “Ferrous Communitas: the Iron People 4” Iron R 2 Research Project, Crawford College of Art and Design, Cork, Ireland*
2013
Lecture: “Ferrous Communitas: The Iron People 3,” “Performing Iron II” Performance Event, University of Colorado, Denver, CO
2012
Keynote Address: “Ferrous Communitas: The Iron People” Iron R Research Project, Cork Institute of Technology/Crawford College of Art and the National Sculpture Factory, Cork, Ireland*
Lecture: “Ferrous Communitas: The Iron People”, “Performing Iron” Performance Event, University of Colorado, Denver, CO
2011
Lecture: “Kinship: A Tribute of Iron,” University of South Carolina Beaufort Auditorium, Beaufort, SC
2007
Iron Tribe 2007, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM
2005
Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
Intern Mentor: Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN
Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Arts, Red Wing, MN
2005
Iron Tribe, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM
2003
Intern Mentor: Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN
Iron Tribe ‘03, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM
2002
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Intern Mentor: Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN
2001
John Michael Kohler Art’s Center, Sheboygan, WI
Intern Mentor: Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN
2000
Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Lumsden-Huntly, Scotland*
State University at West Georgia, Carrolton, GA
Friends of Art Annual Banquet, Edwardsville, IL
2000
Consultant: Webster University, St. Louis, MO
1997
Clayton State College, Jonesboro, GA
ARTIST RESIDENCIES
2014
“Sculpture in the Landscape 2014” Research Residency, Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Lumsden, Aberdeenshire, Scotland*
2012
“Sculpture in the Landscape 2012” Research Residency, Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Lumsden, Aberdeenshire, Scotland*
Artist-in-Residence, Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN
2001
Artist-in-Residence: Arts/Industry, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
2001
Artist-in-Residence, Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN
2000-2001
Artist-in-Residence, Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Lumsden, Aberdeenshire, Scotland*
COMMISSIONS
2018
Emergent Structures, Savannah, GA, Unbuilder’s Trophy. Awards for staff and volunteers.
2018
Roots Up Gallery, Savannah, GA, Papa’s Tobacco Barn
2018
Roberd’s Dairy, Savannah, GA, Roberd’s Gate
2018
United Way of the Coastal Empire , Savannah GA, Legacy Giving Tree
2008
Union Mission of Savannah, Vinescape, Growing Hope project for the Union Mission Garden in conjunction with Starfish Café, Savannah, GA
2000
SIUE Foundation, Office of Development and Public Affairs, Ferruginous Pyre: An Iron Opus, Project for the Donal G. Myer Arboretum SIU, Edwardsville
1999
Aberdeen Arts Council, The Lost Gallery, and The Scottish Sculpture Workshop, In Ferrous Defense of the Lost, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
PUBLICATIONS
July - August 2014: “Ultra Violet Orange” by Sarah H Kelleher, The Visual Artist’s News Sheet, Ireland*
2012: “100 Southern Artists” by E. Ashley Rooney, Schiffer Publishing, US
May – June 2012: “Iron Age- Iron R Research Project” by James L. Hayes, The Visual Artist’s News Sheet, Ireland*
July 23-29, 2008: “Matt Toole’s ‘Kinetic” by Bertha Husband, Connect Savannah, US
July 20, 2008: “Poetry in Motion” by Alison Hersh, The Savannah Morning News, US
Sept. 1, 2005 “Aurora Pours: Thoughts about Iron” by Suzanne Szucs, MN Artists.org, US
Sept. 27, 2003: “Photo Essay: Franconia End of Summer” by Glenn Gordon, MN Artists.org, US
Sep. – Oct. 2003: “3rd Bi-National Art Exhibit,” Centro Cultural Paraguayo Americano, Paraguay*
Nov. 2001: “Iron Tribe” by Kathleen Whitney, World Sculpture News, Hong Kong*
Jan. 3, 2002: “Sculpture Park Artists Think Big- Really Big,” by Ashley H. Grant, Associated Press: The Oregonian, US
Apr. 8, 2001: “Sculpture Becomes the Performer in Matt Toole’s Arts/Industry Project” by Mary Ann Holley, The Sheboygan Press, US
May 4, 2000: “Sculpting with Fire” by Teri Maddox, Belleville News-Democrat, US
May 4, 2000: “Artist Strives for Creation Through Destruction” by J.B. Forbes, St Louis Post-Dispatch, US
March 2000: “Out of the Crucible” by Angus Dunn, including published photographs by Matt Toole of George Beasley’s “To Throw Iron Into the Universe: Project for the Millennium”, Sculpture Matters, No. 7, Scotland*
Oct. - Nov. 1999: “Firing the Imagination” by John Doran, Scotland. No. 100, Scotland*
May 1994: “Third International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art” by Mary Bates, Miscellany: Georgia Southern University’s Magazine of the Arts, US
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2017 – Present
Toole Sculpture Works LLC, Owner, Savannah GA.
2018 – 2019
Savannah College of Art and Design, Part-time Professor of Foundation Studies, Savannah, GA.
2006- 2016
Savannah College of Art and Design, Professor of Foundation Studies, Savannah, GA.
2013- 2014
Seventh International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art, Pedvale’ Open Air Museum, Sabile, Latvia 2014. Steering Committee, Foundry/Industry liaison.
2012- 2014
Co-Organizer, Sculpture in the Landscape Symposium, Design for Lumsden Sculpture Walk, Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Lumsden, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Collaboration with SCAD Architecture Professor, Ryan Madson.
Keynote Speaker, Iron R Research Project, Cork Institute of Technology / Crawford College of Art and Design and the National Sculpture Factory, Cork, Ireland.
2010- 2014
Exhibitions Liaison and Gallery Director, Boundary Hall Gallery, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA.
2004 -2006
Georgia Southern University, Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art, Assistant Professor of Foundations and Sculpture, Statesboro, GA.
2006-2007
Southern Conference on Cast Iron Art, Steering Committee. Panel Organizer. Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, Birmingham, AL.
2004-2006
Fifth International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art, Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale, UK 2006. Steering Committee, Curator Cupolaesthetics II.
2004-2005
Co-Director, Gallery 303, Georgia Southern University, Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art, Statesboro, GA.
2004
Third Southern Conference on Cast Iron Art, Steering Committee, Panel Organizer. Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, Birmingham, AL 2005.
2004
Meadowlark Art Studio, Assistant to Artist, Jerome Meadows, Savannah GA.
2003
Nordquist Sign Company, Fabricator, Minneapolis, MN.
2002
Fourth International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art, Johnson Atelier, Hamilton, NJ 2002. Steering Committee, Performance Organizer, Curator Cupolaesthetics. 1998-2002.
Douglas Thayer Woodworking and Design, Assistant to Artist, Phoenix, MD.
Mandela Creations in Metal, Assistant to Artist/Blacksmith Chris Gavin, Baltimore, MD.
2001-2002
U.S. Art Company, Art Handler, Installer, Washington D.C.
2000
Smith Forge, Assistant to Artist/Blacksmith Johnny Smith, Savannah, GA.
George Beasley, To Throw Iron Into the Universe: Project for the Millennium, Consultant and Assistant to the Artist, Portsoy, Scotland.
1999
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Woodshop Manager.
1998-1999
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Instructor of Record, 3-D Design, Edwardsville, IL
1997-1998
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Sculpture Studio Manager.
1995-1997
Inferno Art Foundry, Finishing Department, Newnan, GA.
1994-1995
Art Installation Services, Art Handler, Installer, Atlanta, GA.
1994
Georgia Southern University, Sculpture Studio Manager, Statesboro, GA
EDUCATION
Areas of Specialization: Sculpture, Performance, Installation
M.F.A. 2000
Sculpture Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Post-Baccalaureate 1996-1997
Georgia State University
B.F.A. 1994
Sculpture Georgia Southern University