Featured in the movie - "Oh Canada"!

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The artist  Joey Matula was born and raised in rural upstate NY and is a current resident of Jacksonville, Florida.  He attended college for culinary arts and decided to take a different path. Following a family tradition, he joined the US Navy and served in the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm/Desert Shield where he was named "Junior Sailor of the Quarter."   Starting in 2005, Joey owned and operated  Commercial Design Interiors, an interior design company marketing Italian furniture, French flooring, Canadian glass and American acoustics. This successful enterprise sold to clientele throughout NY, Ontario and Quebec for years, a perfect outlet for Joey's infatuation with color and style.

 

In 2014, Joey was diagnosed with testicular cancer. While coping with this new reality, a trip to Prague infused Joey with inspiration.  He began painting to alleviate stress and he found his raison d'etre. His art was first displayed at Renata's Fine Art Gallery in Hudson, NY, and by 2020, days before the COVID lockdown. he opened Electric City Art Gallery in Schenectady NY, where he showcased his work as well as ceramics, jewelry, and glass work by other local artists.   Now cancer free, Joey exudes gratitude and exuberance in life and art.

 

Joey's art is featured in the movie Oh Canada, premiering on May 17, 2024 at the Cannes Film Festival and starring Richard Gere & Uma Thurman.

 

The Schenectady Gazette and the Palm Coast Observer have written feature articles about Joey and his art. 

 

Joey's work has won numerous Florida art show awards including:

Patron Award and Award of Excellence, Maitland Rotary Art Festival (11/2023)

Patron Award, Fall Festival of the Arts, Deland (11/2023)

Award of Merit, Art Festival at One Daytona (4/2024)

Award of Merit, Mandarin Art Festival, Jacksonville (3/2024)

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