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Jean Matzke

St. Paul-based artist Jean Matzke uses a variety of needlework techniques, including embroidery and coiling, to create "narrative fiber art."  Each piece of her work tells a story, with inspiration drawn from daily life, literature, traditional sayings and other sources.

“Color, thread, and image are a part of the narrative in embroidery. This has been my chosen style. I began drawing as a child and have continued to draw to the present, then as a young adult I discovered thread.”

Jean has worked as an instructor in interior and surface design at the College of Saint Benedict, in St. Joseph, MN, and has taught workshops in fiber art at the Textile Center of Minnesota.  She has been recognized with a “Best of Show” award my the Minnesota Craft Council (June, 2006), and a “First Award” in a Juried Exhibition at the Macrostie Gallery & Blandin Foundation, Grand Rapids, MN (1995).  Her work is in the permanent collections of the Minnesota Historical Society, St.John's University, and the College of St. Benedict, and has been featured on HGTV.