Matthew Brasher is an art educator whose work sits at the intersection of creativity, community, and care. A December 2025 graduate of the University of Utah with a BFA in art teaching, Brasher distinguished himself early through both academic excellence and meaningful public engagement. His work reflects a deep commitment to making art accessible, purposeful, and responsive to the needs of diverse communities.
Brasher’s practice is rooted in the belief that art is not only expressive, but restorative. As an intern with the Community Arts Research and Education (CARE) Program, he developed and led arts programming across a wide range of settings, with a particular focus on the aging population.
“For me, teaching art is about meeting people where they are, honoring what they bring into the room, and helping them explore accessible means of self-expression through the process of artmaking,” he said.
His work has included facilitating creative workshops for adults with Parkinson’s disease at the University of Utah’s Parkinson’s Center for Excellence, unsheltered adults receiving hospice care at The INN Between, and individuals recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other physical injuries at the Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital. In each environment, Brasher approaches teaching with empathy and flexibility, adapting art practices to meet participants where they are physically and emotionally.
Now serving as the Artist in Residence at the Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital, Brasher continues to expand the role of art in clinical and community settings. His innovative approach demonstrates how art education can meaningfully support healing, quality of life, and human connection across populations often underserved by traditional creative spaces.
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