Diane Matyas - Artist

10/08/2026

Nuthin’ like being there live… but in case you missed the show, here are 4 minutes of rehearsal and show outtakes that will have to suffice. Thanks again to all my collaborators and cast.

This performance and imagery are made possible by a DCLA Art Fund Grant from Staten Island Arts, with public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Past funding for this project has been provided by the Center at West Park w/The Hensen Foundation, & The Howard Gilman Foundation.

This work-in-progress video shows various scenes (from both a live ...

10/08/2026

Next up - the Upper West Side’sArt on the Block NYC- read about it here:

Upcoming ArtistsDiane MatyasNovember 6 – December 15, 2026Diane Matyas is a New York City artist who explores the intersections between science and story. Raised in Ithaca, NY, she received a…

09/29/2026

Diane Matyas and the story of Alice return to the museum on Saturday, October 3! The Luna Park Elephant blends history and fantasy to reimagine the story of Alice, an Asian elephant brought to Coney Island in 1904 to entertain crowds. Her purported “escape” swim across New York Harbor to Staten Island was newsworthy but also symbolized resistance and longing.

Using light, drawing, and found objects, this performance contrasts early twentieth century New York artifice with the splendor of the natural world, and marks Artist Diane Matyas’ first shadow theatre work, continuing her exploration of the intersection of art and storytelling.

Following the performance the audience is invited to take a self-guided flashlight tour of the museum.

Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com/e/the-luna-park-elephant-a-shadow-theatre-performance-by-diane-matyas-tickets-1995121769921

06/09/2026

Knots are my algorithm.
Ah, the Alpine butterfly - I love her.😍

06/04/2026

122th anniversary- resilience and buoyancy, and inspiration.
Now, let’s place my 10” Alice in a new location.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZKkxvhxNa8/?igsh=MThpdGEyZW1vaGV6NA==

05/12/2026

My Cohort!
Puppet People are the best.

05/08/2026

Let’s get this passed NYC!
Kamillah Hanks 🐘

A bill to ban elephant captivity has been reintroduced in the New York City Council. The bill, Intro 590, will also require those holding elephants captive in New York City to relocate them to a sanctuary that meets their complex needs.

For decades, elephants Happy and Patty have been deprived of their freedom and forced to live in a small, unnatural enclosure at the Bronx Zoo. Both are confined alone. This is undeniably wrong—but we have the power to make it right.

NYC residents ONLY: take direct action to support this bill by contacting their council members here: https://bit.ly/4wgCphJ

If you’re not a resident of NYC, you can still take action! Help keep pressure on the zoo while this bill moves forward. Use this action alert to contact Bronx Zoo leadership and urge them to release Happy and Patty to a sanctuary: https://bit.ly/3QVrXfK