Mateo grew up writing songs, playing guitar, and being a member of bands. After moving to Holland, Mateo was looking for an outlet to help him pursue music in the Holland area, and heard that Groundworks inside the library had a recording studio.
Mateo stopped in to learn more and, and learn more he sure did. Mateo engaged with multiple resources inside Groundworks. He has 3D printed an axolotl that reminded him of the pet axolotls he had as a child in Mexico.
He practiced his music in the recording studio in Groundworks and tried recording some of his music himself, before learning of an opportunity record a demo, free, through a library program. He signed up for a session in the auditorium with a professional editor and showed up with his guitar, ready to play. Mateo's demo session featured a song he had written himself, which he was able to record in both English and Spanish. Next time he records the song, he's hoping to have a singer and a drummer join him. Mateo has other songs written and still others in his mind which he would like to get recorded in the future.
A true renaissance man, Mateo enjoys all types of art. He is an oil painter with works at a gallery in the Saugatuck/Douglas area, and he creates sculptures from wood. Mateo is presently enrolled in a course at GRCC to learn more about welding so that he can become more proficient with metal sculptures.
Mateo hopes to have a YouTube channel that will showcase his various artistic endeavors and share fun things about our local culture in the west Michigan area. When Groundworks recently offered a program called, "How to Build a YouTube Channel: and Why You Should," Mateo was quick to sign up for the opportunity.
"It's good to keep learning throughout your life," Mateo says, "to keep perfecting". The library offers several resources that have helped Mateo learn and share his art with our greater Holland area. Look for his paintings on exhibit at LEVITATE, HDL's day-long festival encouraging our neighbors to Lift Every Voice on February 21, 2026.