As a student at Georgetown High School, Matthew Johnson ’94 was introduced to the world of philosopher Immanuel Kant. He was inspired both by Kant’s philosophical beliefs and the fact that, despite never traveling further than 50 miles from his birthplace, Kant was able to produce a body of work that literally changed the course of Western Culture.  After graduating, Johnson decided to remain in his hometown and enroll at Southwestern and pursued a degree in philosophy. 

Johnson fondly recalls his classroom experiences, especially with Professor of English James Kilfoyle and Professor of Geometry Gary Richter. “Our classes became conversations. We brought our own experiences into the material, which provided greater depth and reflection,” he says.  While studying at SU, Johnson also began an apprenticeship in Florence, Texas, with family friend and sculptor Bob Ragan. Under the tutelage of Ragan, Johnson honed his skills as a stone carver.

After a brief stint in the technology sector, Johnson returned to his passion for stone carving and founded Bartlett Stone Company in 2004. Johnson’s current project will demand a fine balance between creativity and scalability. On assignment in McKinney, Texas. Johnson will transform 144 tons of Indiana Limestone into “The Promise,” a fountain that depicts a single white dove clenching an olive branch. The fountain will welcome visitors to McKinney’s newest business and residential development, Adriatica, which is modeled after Supetar, Croatia. Johnson says the opportunity allowed him “to be a participant in today’s cultural conversation.” 

Johnson’s passion for storytelling gained a foothold at Southwestern. Through his craft, Johnson finds opportunities “to tell the stories of our community and in a small way to inform and influence our community’s future.”

“Southwestern provided a basis that allowed me to think about things outside of my career, which has ultimately helped shape my art,” he says. “The liberal arts have provided me with a great way to think.”

Johnson and his wife, Dorothy Light Johnson ’92, have two sons, Joseph and Theodore.

To view some of Johnson’s work, please visit his website at http://www.bartlettstone.com/.