Matthew Olson

Matthew Joseph Olson was born and raised in Minnesota. He grew up on his family's farm and for a number of years worked as a union laborer in several fields of the construction industry including underground utilities, masonry, welding, and bridge building. Olson received his BFA and MA from Minnesota State University-Mankato and his MFA from the Pennsylvania State University.

Olson is facilities coordinator for the College of Arts and Architecture. Previously, he served in the Penn State School of Visual Arts as Shop Supervisor for the Woodworking and Metalworking facility, and Assistant Teaching Professor whose instruction spans undergraduate education with a focus on lower and upper-level courses in sculpture and 3D foundations. His specialties include woodworking, metalworking, mixed-media fabrication, and welding. Olson’s sculptural work has been exhibited locally and nationally.

• 2007 B.F.A.,  Sculpture, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN
• 2009 M.A.,  Sculpture, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN
• 2012 M.F.A., The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

• ART 111: Ideas As Objects
• ART 230: Beginning Sculpture
• ART 330: Metal Fabrication and Mixed Media
• ART 497: The Art of Connection

School of Visual Arts shop staff create special award for students who bat it out of the park

• mjodesign.com