Photography

#WhyCV Photographer Spotlight: Matt Bruback

“Our Historic Town provides a lot of rich history to capture and share with the community.”

Each month in 2020 we shine a spotlight on a local photographer, and explore the intricacies of the world through their lens. In October, we highlight a ‘new’ local. Matt Bruback is a great many things: businessman, professional baseball pitcher, inventor, determined to help folks with disabilities, and passionate about small businesses and community. All this, and it seems he’s just getting started!

“Photography has always been an interest of mine, but it wasn’t until I started photographing Jeep events in Florida where I developed a passion for the art. I was hired as Executive Director of Main Street Gardnerville in July of 2019, and our historic town provides a lot of rich history to capture and share with the community” said Matt.

Matt played professional baseball for nine years, ending his career in 2006 to help children with developmental disabilities caused by sensory disorders. Due to sensory deficits brought on by an injury sustained while pitching, he developed a weighted therapy device called the Sensory Belt. The Sensory Belt helps improve body awareness for those with sensory related deficits caused by damage to sensory and motor nerves. The belt also helps children with Autism, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, and many other sensory processing disorders.

“I had speech issues growing up which taught me the importance and time sensitive nature of helping those with sensory deficits. My goal is to one day help 1,000,000 children with developmental disabilities.”

Moving to Nevada from Florida in 2019, Matt has lent his eye for capturing detail to the Main Street Gardnerville (MSG) program. Tasked with revitalizing and preserving the historic downtown, MSG promotes itself as a place to visit, a place to live, and a place you want to enjoy. Matt and an army of volunteers do this by adding special touches to main street, for instance memorial benches, hanging flower baskets in the spring and summer, and hosting events like Third Thursday wine walks, Main Street Fall Festival and Wreaths Across America to show respect for our Veterans at Garden Cemetery.

Main Street has recently approved a new Arts & Cultural Master Plan in coordination with the Town of Gardnerville and plans to have two new murals created sometime in early 2021. The organization’s Design Committee is also finalizing a new bike rack program to drive additional pedestrian traffic downtown.

In addition to all of this, MSG volunteers work their magic at the Heritage Park Gardens where over 100 pounds of food per year is donated to the local food closet. There are garden beds for rent, a labyrinth, and life sized chess and checkers boards.

Main street businesses draw locals and visitors alike with their boutique charm and one-of-kind style. Businesses like the pop-up Eddy Street Vintage Market, and local stalwarts like JT Basque Bar and Dining room, in continuous operation for over 50 years.

Scroll through the images below to get a sense of the texture of Gardnerville through its businesses and people, and a sense of the kinds of events and sweet down home touches that make this such a special place.