Faculty artist Matt Fox brings 'Water’s Embrace' exhibit to OHIO Eastern Art Gallery

By day, Matt Fox leads future nurses in the classroom. Beyond campus walls, he works with glass, pigment and light.

Ohio University graduate and Ohio University Eastern Associate Professor and Associate Director of Nursing Matt Fox will present "Water’s Embrace," an art exhibition featuring stained glass and watercolor works that explore light, transparency and transformation. The exhibit will be displayed in the Ohio University Eastern Art Gallery.

Since 2017, Fox has developed an artistic practice grounded in craftsmanship, patience and intentional creativity. Drawn to the intricate and meditative nature of stained glass, he embraces both the technical precision and expressive possibilities of the medium.

Each stained-glass piece begins with selecting and scoring sheets of glass, grinding edges, wrapping each segment in copper foil and soldering seams into a unified structure. The final polish reveals how light activates color and texture, casting reflections and shadows that shift throughout the day.

“Stained glass demands forethought and discipline,” Fox said. “It requires envisioning not only composition, but also how light will interact with color, texture and transparency.”

In contrast, watercolor offers fluidity and intuition. Pigments bloom, merge and settle in organic patterns, inviting collaboration with water itself. The transparency and layering of watercolor mirror the luminous quality of glass while allowing for spontaneity.

“What unites my work across both mediums is a fascination with light, transparency and transformation,” Fox said. “Art, for me, is a practice of presence. It requires attentiveness to detail, respect for process and trust in the unfolding of each creation.”

Fox’s work has appeared in local exhibitions and galleries, and his stained-glass commissions have found homes internationally, including in Mexico, Italy, England and Northern Europe. Individual pieces featured in "Water’s Embrace" will be available for purchase, offering visitors the opportunity to bring a portion of the collection into their own spaces.

A public gallery reception will be held March 17, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. The reception will provide an opportunity for guests to meet the artist, view the collection and engage in conversation about the creative process.

“The art gallery at Ohio University Eastern serves as a cultural bridge between our campus and the broader community,” said Richard W. Greenlee, interim dean of campus and community relations. “Exhibits like 'Water’s Embrace' create meaningful opportunities for connection, reflection and dialogue, enriching the educational experience of our students while strengthening the cultural life of our region.”

The Ohio University Eastern Art Gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exhibit available for public viewing during regular hours of operation.

Through glass assembled piece by piece and watercolor unfolding stroke by stroke, "Water’s Embrace" invites viewers to pause and consider how light and water shape both art and perception.