As long as I can remember, art has always been a part of my life, receiving my first award in a “Law Day U.S.A.” poster contest, May of 1964. After graduating college and becoming a pediatric nurse, and while raising my three children, I continued working in many different mediums of art, being juried into shows and winning awards in ceramics and mixed media.
For the past 15 years mosaics has been my full time passion, seeking out training from top mosaic artists from the US and around the world. My work can be found in private collections and community projects in the US and abroad. I’m extremely proud of being apart of a community project at the “Paddington Train Station” in Australia.
After several years of working in mosaics, I began incorporating handmade pieces, all types of glass, ceramic, beads, wood, metal, and any other material that calls me. I try to think outside the box; each wall relief and 3-D piece consists of attention to details in the design elements, color choices and selection of materials. My goal has been to develop my own unique, recognizable style, which I feel I have finally achieved. Yearning to exchange ideas with fellow artists, only adds to my craving to learn, improve and create. In 2017 I was instrumental in hosting the SAMA (Society of American Mosaic Artists) conference in Detroit, bringing 300 people to our city. At this event we made a 3 panel wall piece which we donated to the new ER at Children’s Hospital in Detroit.
Mixed Media Mosaic Masks by Joan Schwartz - Photography by Eric Law
I am an active member of the SAMA, Mosaic Artists of Australia and New Zealand, Mosaic Artists of Michigan and the Detroit Artist Market. I am now teaching mosaics in my studio, and have the wonderful opportunity to teach at Luna Mosaic Arts, in Orlando, FL, after which I will be doing a month long artist in residency program at the Olive Stack Gallery in Listowel, Ireland this coming June.
One of the many highlights of my mosaic career is being juried several times into MAI (Mosaic Arts International). In 2017 this piece “Breaking Out in Style” was chosen to be in the MAI, and purchased by a mosaic collector from California.
Breaking Out in Style by Joan Schwartz
Whether I am interpreting a client’s vision or creating my own personal concepts, my enthusiasm for mosaic art and pride in workmanship is evident in ever completed piece. Working in my studio and with other artists of all levels, takes me to my happy place.
Joan Schwartz's Studio
