TRICKS & TRINKETS Michael Florian Jilg (Paintings and Etchings; Joyce Jilg (Handcrafted Jewelry)
November 10-December 30, 2023
Native Kansas painter and printmaker, Michael Florian Jilg often acknowledges his affection for Kansas and its inextricable ties to his life. Michael’s association with the state includes undergraduate and graduate degrees from Fort Hays State University and an MFA from Wichita State University. After completing his academic work, Michael invested himself in his art and educating others. His 30 plus year career as a professional artist included teaching at Fort Hays University from 1981 until retirement. He has traveled extensively, seeking to unmask the mysteries of history and its layers of civilization. A past Governors Visual Artist, Jilg has honored his profession with over 200 exhibitions and representation in museum collections in the United States, England, and Asia. Despite travel and outside recognition, western Kansas remains his home. From this vantage point he feels “East coast, West coast and European influences can be equally observed.”
Joyce Jilg was born and raised in Kansas. Her education includes a BA and MA in Elementary Education, a degree in Gifted Education, post graduate study in Montepulciano, Italy, and a Fulbright Scholarship in Japan. She taught elementary students from 2nd through 5th grades and, after retiring, taught Elementary Art Methods at FHSU. During her life, she has always been interested in making jewelry—working with fine metal construction, fine metal casting, polymer clay, and found objects. She finds that working with found objects allows her to fulfill her deep commitment to reducing, reusing, and recycling. Objects she finds may be worn, bent, crushed, rusted, and corroded. For her they possess an “interesting pathetic beauty.”
