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One River Creative Summer Art Camps

Our Summer Camps Rock!

By Matt Ross

When I started One River, I always envisioned that we would develop great summer camps that would allow Teens and Kids to have a fun and really cool experience learning contemporary art and other creative concepts that they didn’t have access to anywhere else. We succeeded beyond my wildest imagination. This summer…

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Art Savvy One River School Art Education

Clown Smile

By Matt Ross

Sometimes my wife accuses me of having a clown smile. Although it is not the most attractive description, I am aware of the turned up corners my mouth makes when I smile ear to ear. This past Saturday, I was clown smile in full bloom. One of our newest schools,…

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Is Ambition a Curse?

By Matt Ross

That’s a loaded question. For me, it is a blessing and a curse and no matter how I slice it I guess I am fortunate for having a need to be successful. But, it comes at some sacrifice. For the last seven years I have been building One River, and…

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Curiosity

By Matt Ross

For the first twenty years of my career, I never quite fit into the perfect box in my corporate life. As a result, my success almost always came down to fit, not talent. And the question was: To what degree did I fit the corporate culture and to what extent…

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Art Making is a Super-Food for the Brain

By Matt Ross

This past weekend I spent my time celebrating the grand opening of our new school in Evanston, IL by doing what I love to do the most: listening to people tell stories about what art-making does for them and their kids.  I heard countless tales about how much joy people…

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Why Does This Royal Wedding Matter More?

By Matt Ross

Having watched Prince Harry and his brother William grow up in the aftermath of their mom’s death, I am astounded at how they have helped to close the gap between the monarchy and the everyday man. I was always so impressed with Diana’s intent to raise her kids in a…

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Enlightenment Now

By Matt Ross

A few weeks ago, I jumped into a new book called Enlightenment Now, by Steven Pinker. I was watching Bill Gates on CNBC and he said that it was the “best book he ever read”; that told me I would be both stimulated and intellectually challenged by the book and…

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Mid Career Change…Continuing Education

By Matt Ross

One of the things I am interested in is the decision to switch career paths. When it is well-thought-out and orchestrated, it can be a powerful one. On the other hand, it can be challenging and filled with potholes that can cause financial and emotional duress. So how does one…

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Todd Shelton Clothing– the Best Jeans Made for You

By Matt Ross

I love entrepreneurs, and I love when their product is authentic and solves a basic problem. OK, I am about to share a commercial message, but it really does come from the heart, and you may really be interested so please follow along. A few years ago, I was wondering…

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James Cohan

By Matt Ross

James Cohan Gallery is a contemporary art gallery located in New York City that has a reputation for producing some of the most compelling exhibitions in the world.  Jim has differentiated himself as a grounded, smart, and thoughtful mentor to so many historically important artists including: Trenton Doyle Hancock, Fred Tomaselli,…

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