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Matt Willey

@thegoodofthehive

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Painting 50,000 bees in mural around the world and making friends along the way. 🐝✨🎨

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Thinking about that time I painted 351 giant bees on the Great Ape House @smithsonianzoo.

I am beginning to understand that the bees are changing me... not the other way around.

🐝💤🐝💤🐝💤

#thegoodofthehive #bees #mattwilleyartactivist #artactivism #nature #wesavespecies #pollinators #50Kbees #planetaryhealth #environmentalresonance #honeybeehive ##smithsoniannationalzoo #change by @thegoodofthehive

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6 years ago

I met this bee last night. She fell out of my paintbrush onto a wall in Southern California. ;) Welcome to the world, my little friend. 🐝💤 #bees #pollinators #modernclassic #50,000bees #artactivism #planetaryhealth #mattwilleyartactivist taken in La Jolla Beach San Diego California by @thegoodofthehive

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7 years ago

My original goal with The Good of the Hive back in 2015 was to paint one mural to raise some awareness about the importance of bees. 🐝

That somehow turned into 8 years, 36 murals and installations with over 10,000 bees (so far).

🐝✨🐝✨🐝✨🐝✨🐝✨🐝✨

What a leap I took! I really didn’t think much about it back then, but as I’ve been working on the film, I am revisiting a lot of the moments of complete uncertainty that I managed to move through in the early days of the project.

Where did I find the faith to do this?

I’m posting these pics because as I sat there in Buckinghamshire England squinting in the sun as my dear friend Anna Walker @sanga32 took these photos, I remember clearly thinking… I can’t believe this idea that started from a simple interaction with a honeybee in NYC has brought me all the way to the UK to paint a mural. (During the height of covid, no less!) Literally ANYTHING is possible.

Have a great day and remember that one small thing can change the direction of your life if you let it.

#TheGoodoftheHive #50KBees #bees #honeybees #pollinators #thehive #murals #mattwilleyartactivist #socialjustice #climate #environmentalresonance #artactivism #lightpollution #magnifyart by @thegoodofthehive

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4 years ago

This new mural is in process at Dyce Lab for Honey Bee Studies at Cornell University. So grateful for the work these folks do for honey bees, wild bees, and all the pollinators! These scientists help maintain healthy food systems AND fix problems when they arise. Heroes in my book. 🥹🐝✨

I first learned about the lab when I was tagging along with @nrdc_action @sierraclubny @mountainkeeper and @audubonsociety to help bring some attention to the #birdsandthebeesprotectionact. I TOTALLY FANGRRL'd over Scott McArt and other scientists that were so clearly explaining to the legislators in Albany why a bill to place some rails on the use of neonics was so important. And it actually passed and is being implemented! Yay progress!

Special thanks to artist Eden Lucash @rivvrrrr for coming to help me paint last week. taken in Cornell Dyce Lab for Honey Bee Studies by @thegoodofthehive

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20 days ago

Thank you @one_hive_foundation for trusting the process. I have learned through experience that when a mural is not getting done when I thought, it always seems to be slowing us down for a reason. I get as excited as everyone else to see what that reason is!

Follow along as I head to DYCE Lab for Honey Bee Studies at Cornell U, then my first mural at a church in Charlotte NC, then a tiny town called Timaru on the coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

And I will see you back in New Haven VT in the spring! taken in Vermont U.S.A by @thegoodofthehive

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a month ago

Meet Matt Willey. He's an artist on a mission, which he calls The Good of the Hive, to paint 50,000 honeybees around the world to bring attention to the importance of pollinators. 🐝 @thegoodofthehive

He's currently in Vermont, teamed up with the One Hive Foundation to hand-paint his bees on a barn at Champlain Valley Apiaries across from Field Days. @one_hive_foundation @champlainvalleyapiaries

After 11 years and work across five continents, Matt says he’s painted about 12,000 bees. 🎨

The One Hive Foundation is based here in Vermont and supports pollinator health and ecologically responsible agriculture. 🍯

Thanks to Wilkins Harley-Davidson for the smooth ride to ‘buzz’ out to New Haven. 🏍 @wilkinshd

Find all local Vermont food greatness on the Eat Vermont mobile app: www.eatvermont.com.

📍New Haven

#eatvt #eatvermont #vermont taken in New Haven, Vermont by @thegoodofthehive

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a month ago

I've painted a lot of Queen Bees over the last 11 years, but this one was coming to life just as Dolly Parton was leaving, so I thought I would post my favorite Dolly song with it.

Dolly Parton embodied such a grand, deep and radical expression of goodness and possibility. She didn't just make incredible art - she WAS incredible art.

Clips: @alyssatheleo taken in New Haven, Vermont by @thegoodofthehive

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2 months ago

We could not have had a more perfect Vermont summer evening for the @thegoodofthehive mural party on Saturday night. Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate Matt’s progress on this mural dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of pollinators.

And thanks to our band, @brettrocknehughes, and our vendors, @vamoarriba_arguru, @sisters_of_anarchy_ice_cream, and @barrhillgin, for keeping us well-fed and dancing all night long!

If you missed the party but still want to see the mural, check it out at 3494 Otter Creek Hwy, New Haven, VT 05472. It will be in progress until Spring 2027!

#onehive #thegoodofthehive #mattwilleyart #pollinators #vermont

📷 Leslie Spencer (@bee.curious.vt) by @thegoodofthehive

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2 months ago

Mural progress this week & party THIS SATURDAY! 🐝

Matt (@thegoodofthehive) has been hard at work bringing this silo to life. We hope that you can join us this Saturday, 8/22 from 5-9pm to celebrate.

Where? 3494 Otter Creek Hwy, New Haven, VT 05472

Details:
- Bring your picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and lawn games.
- Meet the artist, Matt Willey!
- Live music by Brett Hughes (@brettrocknehughes) & The Honky Tonk Crowd.
- The event is free to attend. Food & drink will be available for purchase from @vamoarriba_arguru,@sisters_of_anarchy_ice_cream, and @barrhillgin!

RSVPs are encouraged in the Facebook Event at the link in our bio.

#thegoodofthehive #onehive #pollinators #vermont #mattwilleyart

📽️Chas Paul Mraz (@chaspaul59) by @thegoodofthehive

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2 months ago

MURAL UPDATE! 🐝🎨

JOIN US on Saturday, 8/22 to celebrate a new large-scale mural by Matt Willey. Through his global art project, @thegoodofthehive, he’s painting 50,000 honey bees—one for every bee in a healthy hive—to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators.

Where? 3494 Otter Creek Hwy, New Haven, VT 05472

When? August 22, 2026, 5-9PM

Details:
- Bring your picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and lawn games.
- Meet the artist, Matt Willey!
- Live music by Brett Hughes (@brettrocknehughes) & The Honky Tonk Crowd.
- The event is free to attend. Food & drink will be available for purchase from @vamoarriba_arguru,@sisters_of_anarchy_ice_cream, and @barrhillgin!

RSVPs are encouraged at the link in our bio.

#thegoodofthehive #onehive #pollinators #vermont #mattwilleyart

📽️Chas Paul Mraz by @thegoodofthehive

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2 months ago

Whether we are talking about environmental healing movements from pollinators to soil to ocean clean ups - or our neighbors within our own communities - recognizing and focusing on the ways we are connected, as opposed to separated, is a game changer.

Special thanks you for all of the honks and waves and 'thumbs up' as I was painting this week! You are definitely keeping my brush moving! 🎨🐝✨

I❤️Vermont.

Drone clips: @alyssatheleo

#thegoodofthehive #mattwilleyart #bees #pollinators #honeybees taken in New Haven, Vermont by @thegoodofthehive

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2 months ago

Join us on Saturday, 8/22 to celebrate a new large-scale mural by Matt Willey. Through his global art project, @thegoodofthehive, he’s painting 50,000 honey bees—one for every bee in a healthy hive—to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators.

Where? 3494 Otter Creek Hwy, Vergennes, VT 05472

When? August 22, 2026, 5-9PM

RSVPs encouraged at the link in our bio.

Details:
- Bring your picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and lawn games.
- Meet the artist!
- Live music by Brett Hughes (@brettrocknehughes) & The Honky Tonk Crowd.
- The event is free to attend. Food & drink will be available for purchase from @vamoarriba_arguru, @sisters_of_anarchy_ice_cream, and @barrhillgin!

#thegoodofthehive #onehive #pollinators #vermont #mattwilleyart by @thegoodofthehive

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2 months ago