Artists in residence
In 2023, Wilson Works established a prestigious collaboration with the renowned Dixon Gallery and Gardens in Memphis, Tennessee. This alliance marked the commencement of an exclusive artist residency in Wilson, Arkansas. Throughout the year, esteemed artists present their work in various regional exhibitions, participate in insightful discussions, and offer guided tours to area residents, members, and guests of The Louis. Moreover, these artists also interact during custom artist programming in Wilson as well as partake in Wilson's cultural events. In the process, they create art that reflects their personal experiences and newfound perspectives gained during their time in Wilson.
MEET THE ARTISTS
matthew lee
Dream it
Dream it
Matthew Lee is primarily a landscape painter that works on location or “en plein air”. He does occasional portrait painting and is a licensed architect.
When Matthew paints out in nature, he is in the sounds, smells, and the changes in light and atmosphere. He captures these and creates a moment of time in a painting.
In a world filled with distractions, his paintings can provide a place of peace, or a window of imagination, a resting place in a busy world. Most of all he aims for beauty in everything he designs and creates.
Claire Hardy
Claire grew up in California, often drawing. An art teacher in middle school taught her how to shade to create the illusion of form and she has been drawing realistically since. She continued taking art classes through college while earning a business degree at the University of New Mexico. It wasn't enough. A few years after graduation, while working as a graphic designer, she sought classical instruction which brought her to study at the Art Institute of Florence in Italy. Here she began to throw herself into oil painting.
After art school, she backpacked through Europe and the Middle East for five months studying art, culture, and history. She then moved to Sewickley, PA, working as a graphic designer by day but painting small still lifes by night. Claire began showing paintings in local galleries and then in Santa Fe, NM. For years she served on the executive board of the Pittsburgh Society of Artists, promoting art throughout the area.
