Becoming Witness

A House Unbuilt invites the public to the opening reception for Becoming Witness, a collection of map-inspired pieces and hand-made ceramic vessels by Matt Dooley. This new body of work is an invitation to shift perspective from an aerial view to one of grounding and connection, “becoming witness” to our surroundings once again.

The “map view” that we are all so familiar with has become an increasingly common way to interact with our environment. While ubiquitous, such a view can encourage a false sense of separation between ourselves and our environment, reducing it to a concept, making it ripe for objectification, manipulation, and control. From this perspective, we assume a position of authority, looking down, all seeing, in-control, as if we were God.

Map-inspired pieces on the wall of the gallery tell a story of environmental exploitation, whereas hand-made ceramic vessels draw viewers to the floor, encouraging a sense of connection and grounding. Through this dropping down, Dooley hopes that we can begin to dissolve the sense of separation between ourselves and all things, encouraging an attitude of care, connection, and love for the places in which we live.

Join us for the opening reception August 28, 6-8pm, refreshments will be provided and Dooley will give an artist’s talk.

We also invite you to join us for a series of guided meditations in the gallery led by artist and yoga teacher Matt Dooley. Every Saturday will begin with a grounding ceremony, followed by a half-hour sit intended to drop us into the present moment and become witness to our surroundings and who we truly are. Please arrive at least ten minutes early to get settled in. Cushions and chairs will be provided.

The exhibition runs August 28 – October 3, 2026 with a closing reception on October 3 from 4-6pm. 

Gallery hours are Thursdays & Fridays, 11-6pm, Saturdays, 2-7pm.

Guided Meditation: Saturdays, 4pm

Art & Water Space
321 Main Street S, Suite 204
Stillwater, Minnesota
55082

Free and open to the public.

Matt Dooley is an artist, professor, and yoga teacher living in River Falls, Wisconsin. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska and currently works as a professor of Geography at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Over ten years ago, he began studying art and pottery and continues making hand-built ceramic vessels that reference ancient pottery traditions of Asia and the Americas. Through this work, his cartography began to move into the artistic space, creating maps from black powder and clay that highlight the importance of river systems and the destructive nature of humans.

About the Art & Water Curatorial Incubator

A program of A House Unbuilt, the Curatorial Incubator supports emerging curators and creative organizers through a one-month collaboration with AHU staff. Participants receive administrative guidance, space to experiment, and opportunities to design public engagements that activate community dialogue. The Incubator reflects AHU’s commitment to nurturing new artistic voices and expanding access to contemporary, environmentally engaged art across the St. Croix River Valley.