Amanda Matthews facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Amanda Matthews
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Amanda Matthews in studio
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| Born | September 1, 1968 |
| Education | University of Louisville |
| Occupation | Sculptor, painter, CEO of Prometheus Foundry |
| Spouse(s) | Robert (Brad) Connell |
| Children | 2 |
Amanda Matthews (born 1968) is an American artist. She is known for her sculptures and paintings. Amanda grew up in Mt. Washington, Kentucky, and now lives in Lexington, Kentucky.
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Early Life and Education
Amanda Matthews was born in 1968 in Louisville, Kentucky. Her parents are James (Jim) Matthews III and Brenda Matthews. She went to Bullitt East High School and finished in 1986.
Amanda then studied at the University of Louisville. In 1990, she earned a degree in Studio Art. This means she studied different kinds of art. She also studied in Paris, France, in 1989. There, she learned about fine art and architecture.
Amanda's Art Career
Amanda Matthews is famous for her art that celebrates women and different cultures. She started as a painter and taught art classes. In 1998, she started her own art studio called Wild Honeysuckle Studio. Later, in 2009, it joined with Prometheus Bronze Foundry, LLC.
In 2006, Amanda received a special grant. She traveled to Mainz, Germany, as part of the Sister Cities International program. She represented her hometown, Louisville, Kentucky. Her artwork from this trip was given as a permanent gift to the City of Mainz.
Later that year, she joined a tour for artists in the Appalachian Mountains. This trip inspired her to create large bronze sculptures called Dryads. These sculptures are like messengers from nature. In 2007, she created a huge art piece at the Louisville Zoo. It was 210 feet long and called Water is Life. It showed how important water is for our planet.
In 2015, Amanda started a charity called the Artemis Initiative. This group helps support art projects.
Honoring Important Women
Amanda has created many sculptures that honor important women.
- In 2018, she unveiled a statue of Alice Allison Dunnigan. Alice was the first African American woman to report from the White House. This statue traveled to many places, including universities and museums. It is now permanently at the SEEK Museum in Russellville, Kentucky. This museum is part of the United States Civil Rights Trail.
- In 2021, Amanda finished a large sculpture in New York City. It is called "The Girl Puzzle" and honors Nellie Bly. Nellie Bly was a famous investigative reporter. The sculpture is on Roosevelt Island.
- In 2022, a bronze statue of Nettie Depp was unveiled in the Kentucky Capitol. Nettie Depp was Amanda's great-great aunt. She was a champion for public education in Kentucky. This was the first large statue of a woman placed inside the Kentucky State Capitol building.
Other Important Works
In 2021, Amanda's design was chosen for the Team KY COVID-19 Memorial Monument. This monument, called "United We Stand, Divided We Fall", honors the many Kentuckians who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In March 2025, Amanda spoke to United Nations Delegates in New York City. She talked about how art can help support the rights of women.
Selected Public Artworks
Amanda Matthews has created many public artworks. Here are some of them:
- 2021–present: Team Kentucky COVID-19 Memorial Monument, "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" for the KY Capitol.
- 2014–2022: Life-size bronze statue of Nettie Depp for the KY State Capitol Building.
- 2019–2021: "The Girl Puzzle" monument honoring Nellie Bly in New York City, Roosevelt Island.
- 2016–2019: Life-size bronze statue of Alice Allison Dunnigan for the SEEK Museum in Russellville, Kentucky.
- 2018–2019: 3D letters and plaques for the "John Lewis – Good Trouble" Tribute Wall at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
- 2015–2016: Life-size bronze statue of Capt. Solomon Lee Van Meter Jr., an aviation pioneer, for the Aviation Museum of Kentucky.
Awards and Recognition
Amanda Matthews has received many awards for her work:
- 2023: Awarded the 2022 Governor's Award in the Arts, Artist Award.
- 2022: Elected Chair of the Kentucky Oral History Commission.
- 2021: Received the Small Business Association (SBA) Pacesetter Award for The Girl Puzzle Monument.
- 2020: Appointed to the Kentucky Oral History Commission by Governor Andy Beshear.
- 2018: Received the "Strive Business Owner of the Year" Award from the NAWBO.
Media Mentions
Amanda Matthews' work has been featured in many news stories:
- 2025: WHAS11 reported on her speech to the United Nations.
- 2022: CNN and LEX18 News covered the unveiling of the Nettie Depp statue.
- 2021: The Office of the NY Governor, NBC News Now, and CBS Saturday Morning News reported on "The Girl Puzzle" monument.
- 2021: The Office of the KY Governor, Lexington Herald Leader, and The Courier-Journal covered the Team Kentucky COVID-19 Memorial.
- 2020: New York Times and Smithsonian Magazine featured her work.
- 2018: The Washington Post, NPR's All Things Considered, and The New York Times reported on the Alice Dunnigan statue.
See also
- List of sculptors
- List of female sculptors
