Matthew "Matt" Gabriel Schoen

Matt was born on July 27, 1983 in Covington, Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans, to Peggy DesJardins and David Schoen. From a very young age, it was obvious he was immensely creative and brilliant beyond his years. His talents would eventually take him to NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts) for high school where he focused on visual arts and a love of painting. After graduation, he moved to New York City to attend The Cooper Union School, on full scholarship, concentrating on fine arts and graphic design. While in college, Matt interned at Vice Magazine in Brooklyn which quickly led to a full time position. He was the company’s first graphic designer and ran the art department as Executive Design Director for close to 15 years. Matt and his team won countless awards and received global recognition for outstanding work in the visual field. He was a celebrated, beloved leader who helped successfully grow the company from magazine to global media empire. Throughout his time at Vice, he made lifelong friends, mentored hundreds of designers and artists, and was nothing short of visionary. At the beginning of 2020, Matt and his wife Katy, moved to Austin, Texas where he reclaimed his love for personal studio work and created over 150 paintings while also working as a freelance designer.

Matt was a true original – an old soul filled with endless talent and no ego. From childhood to this past year, the volume and quality of work he produced was exceptional and prolific. While his list of accolades was never ending, his humble nature would not want us to focus on the awards and accomplishments. It was Matt’s exceptional character and huge heart that his loved ones will miss deeply. He was fun and adventurous and said yes to almost any challenge. An incredible cook and cocktail aficionado who loved backyard BBQs, dancing, live music, and late nights with friends. Armed with endless curiosity, he could have an in-depth conversation about almost any topic – from mainstream news to the most obscure subjects. He craved the solitude of the desert, freedom of long bike rides through Brooklyn or Austin and excitement of traveling to new places. Gentle and gracious, his tall frame, big smile, and easy going vibe could light up any room. He always did the right thing, fought to find good in people and believed everyone was doing their best despite circumstances. Matt was an extraordinary son, brother, uncle, husband, and friend and everyone who knew him considered themselves better for it. His passing at 39 years old is an unthinkable, tragic, unimaginable loss. Family, friends, and colleagues from around the globe will miss him forever. May the candles never stop burning in his honor.

Matt is survived by his wife, Katy Russ, mother, Peggy Desjardins, father, David Schoen, brother, Ian Schoen, sister-in-law, Gita Stulberg, nephews and nieces Declan Schoen, Nolan Russ, Evelyn Russ, Bryson Bostick and two beloved pups, Freddie and Roux. He was loved and adored by his in-laws, Janie and Kirk Harrell, Melinda and Mike Russ, brothers-in-law, Jordan, Tripp, Reed, and Barrett Russ; Josh Bostick and sisters-in-law, Marissa Bostick; Brooke, Kennedy and Cameron Russ and grandmother, Suzanne Valla.

A celebration of life will take place at Laguna Gloria, Austin Contemporary on Monday, October 24th at 3:00pm.

Following the service, food and drink will follow at a 2nd location, details to be shared soon.

Laguna Gloria

3809 West 35th St, Austin, TX 78703

Street parking available

https://thecontemporaryaustin.org/exhibitions/betty-and-edward-marcus-sculpture-park-at-laguna-gloria/

For those who cannot attend the Austin memorial, Matt's family will be holding a second, smaller celebration of life in New Orleans on Friday, November 4th. The event will start at 12noon at R Bar & Royal Street Inn (1431 Royal Street). A jazz funeral walk to Washington Square will follow and then the celebrations will resume at R Bar after that.

In lieu of flowers, please consider the below options:

Matt’s family will be placing a memorial bench in his honor at Laguna Gloria, one of his favorite places in Austin and where he requested to be remembered. Please consider a contribution towards the bench.

Laguna Gloria Memorial Bench

https://everloved.com/life-of/matt-schoen/

Or a donation in Matt’s name can be made to NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts), the high school that fostered Matt’s love of creativity and art.

NOCCA

https://noccafoundation.org/?form=MatthewSchoen