VIVA Gallery’s monthly First Thursday artist reception will be held on September 3
and will feature the handmade stoneware tiles of Margy Jean Balwierz, who produces colorful and
imaginative tiles in her home studio in rural western Wisconsin in the Rush River Valley.
Margy Jean describes her methodology as “clay as canvas” and making one tile at a time seems just right
to her. She first rolls and cuts coarse red clay, then after a day of drying, etches her design. She applies
her glazes three coats thick with very small paint brushes, and after the clay becomes bone dry, it is high
fired in an electric kiln to stoneware solidity. Another glazing and firing brings out the intensity of her
colors.
Following a life-long interest in creative media and after retiring from a career as a Minneapolis public school science teacher, Margy Jean began making tiles in 2006. Her work can be found in galleries in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and she has been commissioned for custom tile installations in private homes and healthcare facilities.
Margy Jean’s stoneware tiles, along with the works of member artists, will be featured at VIVA’s First Thursday reception on September 3 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. The gallery is located at 217 South Main Street in Viroqua. For more information about this and future First Thursday events, contact the gallery at 608-637-6918 or info@vivagallery.net.
Following a life-long interest in creative media and after retiring from a career as a Minneapolis public school science teacher, Margy Jean began making tiles in 2006. Her work can be found in galleries in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and she has been commissioned for custom tile installations in private homes and healthcare facilities.
Margy Jean’s stoneware tiles, along with the works of member artists, will be featured at VIVA’s First Thursday reception on September 3 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. The gallery is located at 217 South Main Street in Viroqua. For more information about this and future First Thursday events, contact the gallery at 608-637-6918 or info@vivagallery.net.
