About Me
How do I fit this on ONE PAGE?!
I know. 10 Fun Facts.
I have been a professional artist for over 30 years. That includes Art Center Director, fine art, illustration, designing fantasy spaces, children’s interiors, puppets, sets, faux taxidermy, murals, visual displays, ornaments, and gifts, and writing creative blogs.
I have moved across the country 3 TIMES! Twice with my husband of 25 years, Michael Mattesi, and once with our two daughters. So I’m a Jersey girl who likes gravy on her fries with a good kale salad.
Halloween is the absolute best Holiday of the Year. Period! You know when you go into a neighborhood just before Halloween and there is “that” house…I’m “that house!”
I became a union carpenter at the age of 47. Yes, a FEMALE, MIDDLE AGED CARPENTER! And I am proud to have “man-hands.”
I love good art that tells a story. Everyone has such interesting stories. I want to see them and hear them. So write me any time. ellen@ellenmattesi.com
I have no intention of giving up coffee…ever!!!
I collect dead composition dolls from the 1920’s. I know what you’re thinking… but just their bodies are dead, their souls are intact. If you ever come over for coffee, I’ll introduce you to them.
I have made incredible friends in my life…and by friends I mean people I’ve actually sat down with in person and shared good conversation. It’s becoming a lost art that I’m considering adding to my resume as a skill.
My bucket list is too large to fit in a bucket. I need a guest house for mine.
If I had to describe myself in 3 words they would be capable, intuitive, and scrappy.
And for those of you who need some more serious information, please feel free to view my Resume:
Ellen Mattesi
18408 NE 149th Ave.
Brush Prairie, WA 98606
Studio: 415-608-8426
ellen@ellenmattesi.com
Summary
Mission-driven, Art Center Director of Operations and business owner with 30+ years focused on developing innovative projects and transformative environments for the purpose of promoting the therapeutic, celebratory and expressive power of art in society. Mentored the success of over 50+ creative professionals. Developed collaborative art projects, generating inspirational and unique results for over 1200 clients in the communities of New York, Los Angeles and Bay Areas. Developed art curriculums and educational programs, for diverse cultures and teaching institutions, with the goal of unique transformative experiences for artists and art students. Innovated new funding strategies and operational systems involving both traditional and progressive technologies for financial growth. Curated gallery exhibitions, commercial & retail environments, public spaces, print publications, educational events, and broadcasting segments with a focus on art as communication.
Core Qualifications
Business owner, Manager and Director of Operations with 30+ years in professional Arts Community.
Inclusive leadership (25+ years), blending diverse cultures among, members, educators, artists, donors, volunteers, students, staff and online & local communities.
Administrative management for-profit and nonprofit organizations, averaging 15 teams simultaneously.
Financial management including budgets, P&L, accounting, marketing, fundraising, insurance, taxes & payroll responsibilities
Development of workflow strategies & training for 50+ employees, educators, and highly skilled craftsmen.
Securing grants (Most recently $25,000 grant for educational art courses, elementary & high school)
Collaboration with Boards of Directors, other management specialists, State Agencies, Committees, Retail Partners, Broadcasting Producers & Contractors
Project development for over 1200 clients in NY, LA & SF Area
Holds certifications as a Union Carpenter in construction of foundations, architectural plan reading, all exterior finishes, framing, scaffold inspection, Aerial Lifts, OSHA 10
Technical & Software Skills
Full MSOffice365, Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop & Illustrator, Quickbooks, Neon Database, Ninox Art Database, Financial management of Square, Stripe, PayPal, Wordpress & Squarespace web building/management, ADP Payroll, Mailchimp, Zoom
Experience
Director of Operations & Facilities: O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, Mill Valley, CA, 2019-2021
Oversee and manage all financial operations including budgets, revenue, expenses, capital improvements, fundraising
Collaborate with Board of Directors, finance, exhibition, membership, facilities and fundraising committees on both day-to-day operational activities and strategic planning.
Represent Center Members through monthly gallery exhibitions and interaction with diverse internal and external community members.
Spearhead additional income stream through training educators in video production techniques for online programs
Assess facility improvement priorities for the purpose of additional income streams
Acquired new art community attention through social media, new guest jurors, social media & podcasting
Pathways Charter School 2019-2021 - Designed/Taught Art Curriculum for independent study students, grades 3-12
Founder / Director / Manager: Juvenile Hall Design, 1995-2015
Pioneered a full service design company, developing artistic production of over 1,200 residential and commercial projects throughout New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, averaging 15 projects simultaneously.
Lead, trained and recruited multiple creative and production teams, consisting of over 50 highly skilled craftsman, fine artists and independent contractors by establishing collaborative work environments, designing inspirational and instructional visual style-guides, and delegating responsibilities to promote higher expectations and unique aesthetic results.
Managed company budgets, accounting, schedules of operations, client pitches, marketing opportunities, permits, payroll, copyrights and trademarks.
Established successful brand development and promotion through retail partnerships, strong customer referrals, social media marketing, visual merchandising displays, website management and broadcasting opportunities.
Published and maintained an educational design blog specializing in artistic fantasy interiors and activities for the youth market, creating original content, writing copy, photography, readership communication and publication partnerships.
Designed and fabricated murals, fine art, theatre sets, textiles, home décor accessories, furniture, props and puppets.
Educated kids, teens and parents on the power of design and creativity through classes & public speaking workshops,
Developed the growth and respected following of the current DIY, art and design, and maker communities.
Commercial Clients Include: Pinterest Corporation, SF, Children’s Hospital of Medicine & Dentistry, NJ, Entertainment Art Academy, Hilton Hotels, NJ & NY, Theatre Tribe, LA (Ovation Award), AltSF, AMC Movie Theaters, Pandora’s Box Manhattan Club: NYC, Bellini Store Franchise of NY & NJ, Emotions Matter Inc., “Home with Lisa Quinn” Live Well Network-TV Design Segment
EllenMattesi.com Art Licensing, Fine Art, Illustration & Art Education, 2015-2019
Illustrated and designed collections for the children’s book, stationary, gift, textile and surface design markets, executing and conceiving conceptual design visuals from rough sketches through final draft phases using multi-media, traditional and digital techniques (Adobe Creative Suite)
Curated Gallery shows and competitions for NYC galleries and “Emotions Matter,” to encourage purpose and creative expression for the Borderline Personality Community
Instructed and Designed Curriculums for Art classes and Camps for children in Painting, Drawing, Photography, Faux Taxidermy
Building Displays for Business to Business Conferences, Retail Spaces, and Craft shows
United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Union Carpenter: 2018-2019
Trained and Built in all areas of Carpentry and Construction, including renovation of College of Marin, Ignacio Campus
Legally Certified in Blueprint Reading, OSHA 10 Construction & Smart Mark, Foundations and Floors, Exterior Finishes, Scaffold User, Fall Protection, Aerial Lift Operations, Basic Knowledge in collective Construction Trades (North Bay TIP Program)
Assistant Location Producer / Production Artist Lou/d Films: (Cartoon Network, National Geographic) 2009 – 2011
Assisted lead producer with scouting & acquiring aesthetic locations, coordination of technical equipment & permits.
Executed costume design & construction, conceptual vehicle design, set decoration and field production
Theatre Tribe of Los Angeles, Puppetry Designer & Lead Builder 2006-2007
Managed teams, concept design & construction of full puppet cast: Ovation Award play, “The Long Christmas Ride Home”
EXHIBITS AND AWARDS: Martha Stewart American Maker Nominee; Creative ensemble of “Ovation Award”; High Achievement Award, Whitney Museum Curator, Art Center Gallery, NYC; Winner, curator of SVA Gallery Competition,NYC; Show Award Winner, Illustration Marketplace; Graphic Artists Guild, NYC, Winner, Ultimate Short Story Competition; Art Directors Club Gallery, NYC; Futuristic Visionary event Winner, NYC; Winner, Competition of Washington Square Park’s Earth Day Demonstration, NY
EDUCATION: School Of Visual Arts, BFA 1993, Post Graduate 1993I1996 Illustration, Graphic Design, Art History, Puppetry & Theater Set Design, 2005 – 2007, TIP Program Building Trades, 2018, Union Carpentry, UBC 2018,2019