Showcasing The works of Bry A. Mat

Bryant Allan Matthews, the artist known as Bry A. Mat, holds Bachelor of Arts degree from Alabama State University. Bry is the eldest of six and. Bry A's up bringing took place in Cedar Lake, a previously unincorporated community near Decatur, Alabama. His early days didn't afford him the luxury of experiencing what one would call art or culture today. As a young boy, Bry A. became acutely aware of his surroundings and gained an appreciation for the visual arts. As a child, he often drew or sketched items that would be of no interest to most places like old abandoned houses or inoperable automobiles. Not only did he sketch what was, Bry began to use his imagination to sketch what could be.. to use his 

THE GAME OF LIFE - FOOTBALL BIO
 

It was sports particularly Football that opened up a whole new world and exposure and opportunity for Bry A. One other most memorable and vivid events in his life was when was a pre-teen he witnessed John Stallworth (Pittsburgh Steeler)-NFL Hall of Fame receiver jogging thru his rural neighborhood of (Cedar Lake). It was the off season and he had teamed up his college friend from Alabama A&M University Wayne Mosley a running back for he (Buffalo Bills), and also Bry's cousin. He knew then he really wanted play football and one day in the NFL.
 

Little did he know that it would be his love for the game, skill and determination that would channel him away from a family of 8 and that trailer in CedarLake. Bry A. began his football career at Austin High School in Decatur, AL. After finishing his senior year with athletic honors such a Team Captain, Most Valuable Back and making the All -Area Team. He had the confidence that he could go on to college and play. Although. He wanted to play Football but no one came knocking at his door. While his high school coaches were taking others players to visit Junior Colleges and Universities he was left out. He watched on several occasions as other larger players who had played right along side of him get into cars with coaches to make trips to various schools.
So, one day he finally asked one  the coaches why can't I go? Their reply was "Oh! you want to play college football? It was at that moment he knew that if college football was to be in his future he'd have to go knocking on their doors.

Bryant teamed up with his cousin Wayne Mosley that spring of 1983 and he drove him to Huntsville to Alabama A&M University and presented his best game film to the football coaches. His plan worked, few weeks later he received a letter in the mail. It was an offer for a full 4-year scholarship to play football at Alabama A&M. 

On to College

After three semesters at AAMU, a knee injury, and a coaching change he decided to transfer. He transferred to the schools top rival, Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL. Shortly after transferring to ASU reality began to set in.. regarding that NFL dream. I just wasn't happening. He had neither the size or speed to compete on the next level. So the primary plan changed too "GET A DEGREE"!

What better person to help him than a God sent Angel by the name of Dr. Ellen C. Larkins, Dr. Larkins, ( Art Dept. Chairman) recognized instantly his artistic potential and became a mentor who both encouraged and inspired him to embrace his talents and reach higher. Bry recieved his B.A. Degree in the spring of 1988. 

 ARTIST STATEMENT  Bry A. believes that Art is an absolute necessary accessory for the good life. There is a symphony of thought, emotion and countless hours that is applied to the production of one single expression of art. My goal is to trigger continual thought and visual pleasure as a result of the encountering my works.   In the words of Amiri Baraka: Thought is more important than art. To revere art and not understand the process which forces it into existence is finally not even to understand what art is. ?

 Exhibits and Awards  

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Birmingham, AL  

Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL Montgomery Museum of Fine Art, Montgomery, AL 

John C. Calhoun Community College, Decatur, AL 

The Armory Gallery, Montgomery, AL 

State of Alabama Artist Gallery, Montgomery, AL 1990 Corel Draw International Design Contest 

Auburn University, Foy Union Exhibit Lounge Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival, Martha's Vineyard, MA 

Mansion House, Martha's Vineyard, MA