Courtney Mattison

Courtney Mattison is an internationally recognized artist, ocean advocate, and Special Projects Consultant at Mission Blue / Sylvia Earle Alliance.12 Her work combines art and ocean conservation, focusing on creating intricate and large-scale ceramic sculptural works that visualize climate change through the fragile beauty of marine life.1

Background and Education

Courtney Mattison was born in 1985 and has an interdisciplinary educational background1:

• Bachelor of Arts in marine ecology and ceramic sculpture from Skidmore College (2008)
• Master of Arts in environmental studies from Brown University (2011)
• Thesis coursework at the Rhode Island School of Design

Artistic Career

As a ceramic sculptor, Mattison's work is characterized by:

• Large-scale wall reliefs composed of hundreds or thousands of hand-crafted stoneware and porcelain pieces
• Sculptures that mimic coral reefs, anemones, sponges, and other marine invertebrates
• Use of glazes to reflect vibrant tones of healthy reefs and stark white to emphasize coral bleaching

Her artwork has been featured in numerous exhibitions and permanent installations, including:

• Solo shows at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art and the New Bedford Whaling Museum
• Curated group exhibitions at prestigious venues like Musée des Arts Décoratifs Paris
• Permanent installations at the U.S. Embassy in Indonesia and The Seabird Resort in Oceanside, California

Conservation Work

Mattison's role as a Special Projects Consultant at Mission Blue / Sylvia Earle Alliance aligns with her commitment to ocean conservation.12 She joined the Mission Blue family in 2012 and continues to work on special projects for the organization.2 Her efforts include:

• Raising awareness about Hope Spots, which are critical marine areas identified by Mission Blue for protection
• Creating artworks that inspire action to explore and protect the ocean
• Collaborating with conservation organizations to promote marine protection

Courtney Mattison currently lives and works in San Francisco, using her artistic talents and scientific background to advocate for ocean conservation and raise awareness about the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems.1