MISSION:
Mat Bevel Company is an arts and science nonprofit that sparks the creative genius in people through found-object kinetic art, surrealistic pop theater, hands-on discovery learning, and multimedia art productions to dispel the common myth that creative genius is a talent only a few possess. To fulfill this mission, we produce and present original fine art, teach the next generation of youth how to invent and create, and serve artists and arts organizations who are revitalizing communities through the creative economy.
Our work dispels a common myth that creative genius is a talent only a few possess. In fact, Dr. George Land’s work proved that 98% of people are born with abundant creative genius potential, but by young adulthood, that genius has plummeted to 2% because we stop using the imagination. Through our programs, people discover new ways to use their imaginations to solve problems, generate original ideas and invent things that improve lives, communities and the world.
Producing and presenting original fine art.
Bevel Butterfly
Sharka
Thought Launcher
Americana Duck
Coffee Guru
Hemo the 7 Foot Mosquito
Poetic Fool
Admirable Bevel
Teaching the next generation of youth how to invent and create.
The Universe Within is an introduction to world-building that sparks the inherent genius in kids (and adults!). Students create positive superhero characters who tackle major environmental or social issues in their imagined worlds. Throughout the course, they learn how to engineer strong structures using cardboard and attachment mechanisms as they construct functional tools and headdresses for their characters.
We currently have three units available to schools, camps, museums, libraries and families: Headgear of Heroes (geometry), The Art of Kinetics (Physics) and The Power of Electricity (electricity). A fourth unit called Making Music is underway.
There are four essential components to The Universe Within multimedia curriculum:
- Opening 3-minute videos with inspiration from Beveldom, instructions by Math Professor Dr. Bayly and demonstrations by peer mentors
- The User Guidebook with all learning objectives, success criteria, assignments, standard alignment and resources
- The Daily Doodle student notebook with all sequential worksheets
- STEAM kits
Watch One Of The Opening Videos!
Lessons open with a 3-minute video filled with inspiration and instructions by an animated character of math Professor Dr. Bayly and peer demonstrations! For more information, contact Paula Schaper: 520-604-6273 or pschaper@matbevelcompany.org.
Serving artists and arts organizations involved in community revitalization.
In 2022, Mat Bevel Company established the Santa Cruz Creative Exchange (The Exchange) to offer arts-based marketing and multimedia services in Santa Cruz County in collaboration with nine other organizations including Santa Cruz Advocates for the Arts, Cultural Committee of Nogales, Nogales Community Development, La Linea Art Studio, Pimeria Alta Historical Society, Tubac Center of the Arts, Border Community Alliance, Border Youth Tennis Exchange, and Circles of Peace. The first project is establishing a new Morley Arts District in Downtown Nogales to grow the creative economy sector in Santa Cruz County. Through The Exchange, Mat Bevel Company is providing regional stakeholder strategic planning, marketing, and multimedia services to promote the County’s artists. We are also developing five initial art digital stories to accurately reflect the true character of the binational region, referred to as Ambos Nogales, and change the border narrative.
Watch Our Progress!
Mat Bevel Company is using the museum as the set for filming a virtual tour, TV shows and blended and e-learning editions The Universe Within curriculum. To watch our progress and get videos of the museum delivered to your inbox, sign up for our monthly newsletter, The Junk Evangelist.
Mat Bevel Company Updates
SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT: Q&A With Eric Herman, Wildlife Biologist & Owner AtoZec
MBC sponsor Eric Herman owner of AtoZec, wildlife biology consulting firm, in the field east of Tucson performing a native plant inventory.Eric Herman is a Wildlife Biologist who works around the Southwestern United States. We spent some time with him to find out more...
SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT: Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative
MBC sponsor SSVEC has sponsored The Youth Engineering and Science (YES) Fair for over 20 years. Pictured above are YES Fair winners from 2020.One student explored the possibility of life on other planets.Another studied the effectiveness of wearing a mask to stop the...
Mat Bevel Company Receives Grant from Nogales U.S. Customs Brokers Association
Middle school students in Santa Cruz County look forward to receiving their dictionaries from Nogales U.S. Customs Brokers Association.This year Mat Bevel Company received a $5,000 grant from Nogales U.S. Customs Brokers Association (NCBA). The grant supported...
Support Our Work
Support creativity: original content, inspiring youth or revitalizing community through the arts!
Mat Bevel Store
Our online store offers merchandise from the Mat Bevel Store!
The Universe Within
Get The Universe Within STEAM world-building curriculum.
Thanks to our major supporters!
