In Michelle Matyja’s watercolor painting “Empty Elegance,” light plays off the reflective surfaces of glass, ceramic and metal on a linen-clad table. The still life is active and engaging, as both wet watercolor washes and dry brush techniques are combined with pleasing effect. Through careful awareness of light and shadow, Michelle succeeds in the difficult task of rendering transparent glassware. Although water color was a new medium to Michelle, she skillfully created a lively composition with an enjoyable color scheme.

In 2010, the Summit County Public Art Advisory Board recommended that a Youth Award be established for the purchase of a painting by an artist 19 years and under exhibiting in the Summit County Fair Art Show. Michelle Matyja was the first recipient of the $300 County Council Youth Award. Born in Pocatello, Idaho and raised in Utah, Michelle has been creating art as long as she can remember. School art classes, including completion of Advanced Placement coursework in Studio Art, have led Michelle to continue to study art at the University of Utah.