SAN MARCOS– Just when you thought the Texas State campus couldn’t get any more captivating, international artist Matthew Mazzotta installed LOCAL HABITAT, a statue of a majestic bobcat resting above Cibolo Hall.
Mazzotta specializes in utilizing public spaces to create art in communities. He sees an opportunity to push past the conventional and create something meaningful. By tapping into the diverse perspectives that public spaces naturally attract, he reimagines these areas, turning them into interactive art that not only enhances the community but also sparks conversation and addresses real-world issues.
“Public space is the most potent place to discuss these issues because it contains the richest diversity of perspectives,” Mazzotta said. “The existing parks, town squares, and sidewalks are not enough, which is why I’m interested in creating a new type of public space.”
Originally from Canton, New York, Mazzotta’s introduction to art began in the most unexpected of places—on the graffiti-tagged trains speeding through his childhood. It was unconventional, but ignited a spark that followed him as he matured. His curiosity for the world encouraged him to travel, diving deep into the stories and lives of those he encountered.
Mazzotta’s first breakthrough project in Boston—a motorless bus powered by the pedaling of its passengers—was an innovative blend of collaborative design and community spirit, marking the beginning of his career as an artist.
“That was my first project where I felt we had the community involved, public space, activism, and art,” Mazzotta said. “Then the local government also got involved. That was the first time where I saw all of that working together.”
This marked a defining moment for Mazzotta, where he began to understand how to weave the diverse threads of a society together, turning intellectual ideas into tangible public dialogue. That realization started his global journey, one that eventually led him to Texas State University.
Across the country, cities and organizations set aside funding for public art, transforming it into an open invitation for creative expression. Once the money is made public, a flood of artists respond. Mazzotta, one of many applicants, was shortlisted by Texas State—three artists were selected based on their qualifications and the potential to bring something unique to the campus. After crafting a proposal and pitching it to the university, Mazzotta’s vision was met with enthusiastic approval.
“I was thinking, what does this campus need,” Mazzotta said. “It’s a new student housing development.”
At Cibolo Hall, the new dormitory at Texas State University, Mazzotta captures the essence of student life in a way few pieces of public art do. LOCAL HABITAT features a striking, larger-than-life bobcat that serves as a metaphor.
The Texas State logo and mascot often portray the bobcat as a symbol of strength and intimidation. However, Mazzotta saw an opportunity to shift that perception. Instead of the usual predatory aura, Mazzotta reimagined the bobcat in a peaceful, relaxed state.
“The bobcat is always known for its veracity and its courage, and that’s where we want to see it in the sports arena or in school,” Mazzotta said. “Then I started to think about the bobcat as a metaphor for the students. They have to kill it at school, but they also have to come back to their home and chill.”
Mazzotta’s bobcat is positioned lying down with its arm hanging off the building, as if embracing it, with a look of content on its face—perhaps after a successful hunt in the wild.
LOCAL HABITAT captures the delicate balance between ambition and relaxation that defines the modern college student. Texas State students must also find harmony: driven in the classroom, yet learning the importance of rest and self-care at home, in a sanctuary like Cibolo Hall.
The piece invites viewers to reflect on this duality. Through his artistic vision, Mazzotta has captured more than just an image of a bobcat—he’s illustrated the nature of student life in San Marcos.
As students enter their home, they are gently reminded of the importance of mental wellness. It’s a quiet invitation to listen to themselves, to recognize that ferocity has its time, but so does rest.
Another element that influenced Mazzotta’s piece was the surge in wildlife inhabiting public spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the absence of people allowed animals to reclaim these areas. Headlines were filled with reports of wildlife sightings in these public spaces.
“We all share this planet,” Mazzotta said. “In this case, this is one of the stories where the bobcat comes in, inhabits the built environment of the student center.”
All art starts as a thought, a spark in the mind that evolves. This process is central to Mazzotta’s career, where each of his pieces reflects the journey from concept to creation. He believes in the power of thought and encourages others to not only monitor their own thinking but to follow it, letting ideas unfold naturally and shape the world around them.
“I always say, figure out what’s always going through your mind. What are you always thinking about?” Mazzotta said. “Whatever you have going on in your mind constantly, basically try to align your career with it.”
The life advice from an artist as esteemed as Mazzotta holds the potential to be transformative for the students of Cibolo Hall and Texas State. By applying this way of thinking to their careers and embodying the dual nature of the bobcat, Texas State students will thrive.
Mazzotta received his BFA degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and his Master of Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Program in Art, Culture, and Technology. He also received a Loeb Fellowship at Harvard, where he studied for a year.
Keep an eye out for Mazzotta’s upcoming projects. In March, he will debut a new piece in Fort Worth, while also teaming up with colleague Josef Kristofoletti to create artwork for the Austin airport. With additional upcoming works for Denver and the San Diego airport, Mazzotta continues to bring his transformative vision to public spaces across the country.
Mazzotta’s LOCAL HABITAT took a year and a half to complete, originating as an idea and evolving through sketches, the selection process, and finally, the creation of the piece itself. This marks Mazzotta’s first project on a college campus, integrating his artistry with the vibrant spirit of Texas State University.
