Within the fall of 2018, University of Minnesota Crookston Residential Life Area Coordinator, Matt Peterson, applied and was awarded a $500 Northwestern Minnesota Arts Council quick turn-around grant. This activity was made possible in part by a grant provided by the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council through funding from The McKnight Foundation. Through this grant, he purchased a non-electric art wheel to maintain his craft skills while further developing his artistic demonstration skills. Peterson’s plans are to continually seek development in his craft and share his passion of ceramics with others.
As Peterson stated, “Ceramics is a very exciting art medium and the passion of mine, which extends through the art I create and the experience of making art with people. […] I have always desired to grow as an artist personally and be able to further develop my skills and share this excitement and passion with people in the area of Northwest Minnesota.”
Since 2014, Peterson has led numerous art programs at the University of Minnesota Crookston campus for the student body, faculty, staff, and community members interested in learning more about three-dimensional art. Peterson further explained, “It is always accomplishing and exciting for me to witness people enjoying this art medium. When a person can take away a positive experience when I facilitate these art programs, it is very rewarding.”
Peterson enjoys challenging himself with art whenever he has the chance. One of the more recent materials that has challenged him in a positive way has been clay. Peterson further explained how he grows through his art. Working with different materials, in this case clay, teaches him how to be resilient and self-encouraging in order to get the desired outcome.
During the spring 2019 semester, Peterson took it upon himself to continue spreading the joys of art by facilitating more art programs focused on the creation of ceramics. He encourages student participation and enjoys seeing them share their experiences with others. Peterson plans to continue to share the delight of art at the Crookston campus in the future.
About UMN Crookston
One of five campuses that comprise the University of Minnesota System, the University of Minnesota Crookston now delivers 34 bachelor's degree programs and 24 minors on campus as well as 16 degree programs entirely online. These degrees are offered in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology. With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from more than 20 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree. Visit www.umcrookston.edu.
About UMN
The University of Minnesota System, with campuses in Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester, and the Twin Cities, is driven by a singular vision of excellence. We are proud of our land-grant mission of world-class education, groundbreaking research, and community-engaged outreach, and we are unified in our drive to serve Minnesota.
