Celebrating the life of
Matthew Foret Mascotte
February 18, 1969 - February 25, 2011
Matthew Foret Mascotte, a curator, artist, and champion of experimental and avant-garde art, died at his home in Savannah on Friday, February 25, 2011, following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 42.
Matt was born on February 18, 1969, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After graduating from Lake Forest College near Chicago, Matt took a position in 1994 with Foote, Cone and Belding, a leading West Coast advertising firm, where he began to explore a wholly new medium for communication and creative expression: the Internet. He carried this love of new media and emergent technologies to Swirl, also in San Francisco, where he was promoted to vice president of operations.
In 2001, Matt enrolled in the MFA program in film and television at the Savannah College of Art and Design SCAD, where he continued to explore media and create new work. One of his first film projects was selected for SCAD's first international multimedia exhibition in Paris, and his work has been praised by Art Papers and others. In 2003, Matt joined the SCAD Exhibitions Department as an adjunct curator, where he dedicated himself to bringing progressive, experimental artists to the university, to cultivating those artists, and to connecting them with students.
Matt went on to serve as founder and president of TentContent, an art production services company in New York, and later returned to SCAD to continue his work in exhibitions. On September 27, 2008, Matt married Susan Elizabeth Mottram in Savannah, Georgia.
Throughout his professional life, Matt was highly regarded for his visionary ability to understand, as few did, the creative potential of new media – and its importance to the culture at large. In 2009, he was instrumental in producing the Second Line parade for the Cao Fei+Map Office "No Lab on Tour" exhibition. That same year, Matt also played a pivotal role in creating and organizing SCAD's first deFINE ART, where he worked closely with friend and artist Nick Cave.
Matt was deeply loved by so many: for his wisdom, his infectious enthusiasm for creative expression, and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. He enriched and elevated everyone who knew him, and he will be sorely missed. He is survived by wife, Susan Mascotte, of Savannah; parents, John and Sarah Mascotte, of Aspen, Colorado; brother, Leo Mascotte, of New York, New York; brother, Mark Mascotte, of Charlottesville, Virginia; and sister, Mary Marcella Abramowicz, of Denver, Colorado.
A Requiem Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 28, at Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church, 112 Fell Street, Savannah, Georgia, 31415.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to The Community Outreach Fund, Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church, at the above address.
Please sign our online guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel
Dear Mascotte Family I am deeply sorry to hear about Matt. He was one of my first friends at Prairie, we were in the same class. They split he and Mark up and I met Mark later the same day. I remember the three of us shaking full, unopened cans of soda and spraying them all over the place. We lost touch when your family moved to Rye and we moved to Vail. I saw Matt in 1992 at the BOTAR Ball in KC and we had fun catching up. Lots of love, Hayward Lafferty.
- Hayward Lafferty, Kansas City, MO
To all of the Mascottes, You are in our thoughts and prayers always. Will never forget the fun times had in Rye & how sweet and special Matt was. With much love, Hilary Sweeny Karst
- Hilary Sweeny Karst, Greenwich, CT
My deepest sympathies to the Mascotte family. My heart goes out to all of you. With love, affection and prayers... Leith Brooks Barry
- Leith Brooks Barry, San Francisco, CA
Hello Mascotte Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss and I send all my love and support. You have always been a great family and I wish you all the strength needed to get through this.
- Rhys Brooks, Rye, NY
I had the absolute pleasure and blessing of caring for Matthew during his stay at Memorial Hospital. I grew to love Matthew and Susie throughout the weeks of his stay. Susie: 'Vous allez etre dans mes prieres, et dans ma coeur, mon amie.' Amy Taberski, RN
- Amy Taberski, Savannah, GA
I am so sad and sorry to hear about Matt. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Wendy Whitaker Zoog
- wendy whitaker zoog, mission hills, KS
Matt was such a great individual. My evolution and success as an artist can easily be traced back to this one man recognizing what I was discussing when no one else could. He had a charisma and intelligence unmatched. The world of art has lost one of it's best eyes. I will remember him forever in the park with our dogs and lost in Paris.
- Matthew Watson, Panama, FL
Many fond memories of childhood with the uniquely special Mascotte family. Warm regards to all of you and deepest sympathies for the loss of Matt. Chris
- Chris Ferkenhoff, Summit, NJ
In the bonds brother. You will be missed. Shiner
- John Rusnak, Cleveland, OH
Matt with ease found and saw the beauty of life all around him- in all forms. For this and many treasured gifts he gave to this world ,he will be with us always... We send love and prayers to his dear family. Much love, Chandler Hudson Kenny
- Chandler Kenny, NY, NY
Words seem inadequate to express the sadness I feel about Matt's death. So many great memories of my youth with Matt...I will cherish those always. With sincere sympathy, Maureen
- Maureen McMeel, Kansas City, MO
I had the pleasure of growing up next door to Matt. Being the youngest of the families I was picked on and left out the most. It was Matt who always made me feel better, making everything alright. Or maybe that was just because I had a huge crush on him?! Regardless everyone who had the pleasure of knowing Matt knows his presence was warm and bright. My heartfelt condolences are with the Mascotte family.
- Bridget McMeel Rohmer, Marina del Rey, CA
Our condolences to the Mascotte family during this difficult time.
- James and Andrea Baker, Los Angeles, CA
My prayers go out to the Mascott family.
- Susan Perks, Canton, CT
Our hearts hurt for Matt's passing -- thoughts and prayers to your entire family.
- Christina & Sean Hogan, Mission Hills, KS
This is a terrible loss which we all shall mourn. Deepest sympathies to all of Matt's nearest and dearest loved ones.
- DJ Abramowicz, Chicago, IL
This is too sad to even type anything. It's been so long since I even saw Matt, but I smile from ear to ear when I think of all the time I spent with him - Sarah and Jake and Leo and Mark and Marcey, I am so sorry for this unfathomable loss, and to Matt's wife. Thinking of you always, Lisa
- Lisa Ennis Barron, Darien, CT
I was a co-worker of Matthew's at SCAD, and first met him during a project he had curated with the artist Dennis Oppenheim. I found Matthew to be an exceptionally warm, intelligent, and kind person. The news of his passing is very sad. Though I worked with him only a short time, he left an impression on me and will be truly missed. My thoughts go out to his family and loved ones.
- Justin Ayars, Atlanta, GA
I think of of Matt, and my childhood on 64th Street living next door to the Mascotte's. Matt was the one that always helped the younger ones up on the block. He was funny and kind and moved to Rye to soon. The block was never as fun. I read about all the contributions Matt made to Savannah College of Art and Design and I feel blessed to have known him. His death is a loss for everyone. Matt leaves behind a wonderful family, to whom I send my profound sympathy. I grieve with you.
- SuSu McMeel Glynn, Kansas City, MO
What a bright and shining spirit! Matty will be sorely missed by so many. Sympathies to Susie, Mark, Sarah and Jake, Marcy and Leo! Love you Mascotte!
- Bonnie Boyles, Prairie Village, KS
Dear Mascotte Family I am deeply sorry to hear about Matt. He was one of my first friends at Prairie, we were in the same class. They split he and Mark up and I met Mark later the same day. I remember the three of us shaking full, unopened cans of soda and spraying them all over the place. We lost touch when your family moved to Rye and we moved to Vail. I saw Matt in 1992 at the BOTAR Ball in KC and we had fun catching up. Lots of love, Hayward Lafferty.
- Hayward Lafferty, Kansas City, MO
To all of the Mascottes, You are in our thoughts and prayers always. Will never forget the fun times had in Rye & how sweet and special Matt was. With much love, Hilary Sweeny Karst
- Hilary Sweeny Karst, Greenwich, CT
My deepest sympathies to the Mascotte family. My heart goes out to all of you. With love, affection and prayers... Leith Brooks Barry
- Leith Brooks Barry, San Francisco, CA
Hello Mascotte Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss and I send all my love and support. You have always been a great family and I wish you all the strength needed to get through this.
- Rhys Brooks, Rye, NY
I had the absolute pleasure and blessing of caring for Matthew during his stay at Memorial Hospital. I grew to love Matthew and Susie throughout the weeks of his stay. Susie: 'Vous allez etre dans mes prieres, et dans ma coeur, mon amie.' Amy Taberski, RN
- Amy Taberski, Savannah, GA
I am so sad and sorry to hear about Matt. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Wendy Whitaker Zoog
- wendy whitaker zoog, mission hills, KS
Matt was such a great individual. My evolution and success as an artist can easily be traced back to this one man recognizing what I was discussing when no one else could. He had a charisma and intelligence unmatched. The world of art has lost one of it's best eyes. I will remember him forever in the park with our dogs and lost in Paris.
- Matthew Watson, Panama, FL
Many fond memories of childhood with the uniquely special Mascotte family. Warm regards to all of you and deepest sympathies for the loss of Matt. Chris
- Chris Ferkenhoff, Summit, NJ
In the bonds brother. You will be missed. Shiner
- John Rusnak, Cleveland, OH
Matt with ease found and saw the beauty of life all around him- in all forms. For this and many treasured gifts he gave to this world ,he will be with us always... We send love and prayers to his dear family. Much love, Chandler Hudson Kenny
- Chandler Kenny, NY, NY
Words seem inadequate to express the sadness I feel about Matt's death. So many great memories of my youth with Matt...I will cherish those always. With sincere sympathy, Maureen
- Maureen McMeel, Kansas City, MO
I had the pleasure of growing up next door to Matt. Being the youngest of the families I was picked on and left out the most. It was Matt who always made me feel better, making everything alright. Or maybe that was just because I had a huge crush on him?! Regardless everyone who had the pleasure of knowing Matt knows his presence was warm and bright. My heartfelt condolences are with the Mascotte family.
- Bridget McMeel Rohmer, Marina del Rey, CA
Our condolences to the Mascotte family during this difficult time.
- James and Andrea Baker, Los Angeles, CA
My prayers go out to the Mascott family.
- Susan Perks, Canton, CT
Our hearts hurt for Matt's passing -- thoughts and prayers to your entire family.
- Christina & Sean Hogan, Mission Hills, KS
This is a terrible loss which we all shall mourn. Deepest sympathies to all of Matt's nearest and dearest loved ones.
- DJ Abramowicz, Chicago, IL
This is too sad to even type anything. It's been so long since I even saw Matt, but I smile from ear to ear when I think of all the time I spent with him - Sarah and Jake and Leo and Mark and Marcey, I am so sorry for this unfathomable loss, and to Matt's wife. Thinking of you always, Lisa
- Lisa Ennis Barron, Darien, CT
I was a co-worker of Matthew's at SCAD, and first met him during a project he had curated with the artist Dennis Oppenheim. I found Matthew to be an exceptionally warm, intelligent, and kind person. The news of his passing is very sad. Though I worked with him only a short time, he left an impression on me and will be truly missed. My thoughts go out to his family and loved ones.
- Justin Ayars, Atlanta, GA
I think of of Matt, and my childhood on 64th Street living next door to the Mascotte's. Matt was the one that always helped the younger ones up on the block. He was funny and kind and moved to Rye to soon. The block was never as fun. I read about all the contributions Matt made to Savannah College of Art and Design and I feel blessed to have known him. His death is a loss for everyone. Matt leaves behind a wonderful family, to whom I send my profound sympathy. I grieve with you.
- SuSu McMeel Glynn, Kansas City, MO
What a bright and shining spirit! Matty will be sorely missed by so many. Sympathies to Susie, Mark, Sarah and Jake, Marcy and Leo! Love you Mascotte!
- Bonnie Boyles, Prairie Village, KS
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
