March 28, 2024

Artist Matus to Show Work at MedStar St. Mary’s

Matus

See the beautiful work of artist Bernard “Bernie” Matus at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown, Maryland, this fall. The artist’s photos and digital designs have been put on display in the atrium of the hospital. If any of the pieces are sold, Mr. Matus will donate a percentage of the proceeds to the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation’s scholarship fund.

Mr. Matus is a former educator and school administrator who creates intricate designs by marrying various photographic images.

“I love fine arts,” Mr. Matus said, “and one of my favorite print artists is Robert Rauschenberg. I used to study his works and I realized I could do that with a computer, so I developed my own techniques.”

Mr. Matus began to be interested in photography when he was 10 and he bought his first camera using money he had earned from his newspaper route. That was nearly 60 years ago, and he is still taking photos. He has enjoyed a career as a teacher in New York and school administrator in Pennsylvania, but after retiring he began to devote more time to his passion. He and his wife, Nancy, a former dermatologist who practiced for more than 30 years, moved to Leonardtown in 2009 to be closer to their daughter and her family.

“I know how important the hospital is to the welfare of the community,” Mrs. Matus said, “and I think what is nice about MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital is that they have the scholarship program to help students who may not otherwise be able to go to school and learn these skills.”

Students interested in health care careers are able to apply for scholarships from the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation. Since 2001, the foundation has awarded 132 scholarships.

“We like to keep donations more local so that you know the money is going to people that live in the community,” Mr. Matus said. “It is a nice way to see money being used on a local level.”

An artist reception was held Oct. 3 in the atrium, which was also part of the hospital’s kickoff for its annual philanthropy campaign, Giving: The Power to Heal. Funds donated during this year’s campaign will help fund a major renovation to the atrium, expected to begin next year. The new renovated atrium will include an expanded eating area, new furniture, new lighting, new flooring, and new wall treatments.

The atrium is next to the hospital’s cafeteria, the Café at Buena Vista, which is open to the public.
Learn more about the campaign here.

For more information and one-click access to a full list of resources available at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, visit their Leader Page.

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