Time is running out this month to see the works of artist Jean Matzke.

The fiber artist's unique art is on exhibit at the Austin Area Art Center in Oak Park Mall.

Be prepared for both beauty to behold and a narrative to ponder.

It is art with a message to the nth degree.

Matzke is the featured artist of the month at the Austin Area Art Center in Oak Park Mall during the month of June.

"Color, thread and image all are a part of the narrative in embroidery," Matzke said. "Traditionally, the narrative form has been used extensively in embroidery. This has been my chosen style."

"I began drawing as a child and have continued to draw to the present time," Matzke said. "As a young adult, I discovered thread. The act of stitching with a needle or translating a drawn image to the grid pattern of tapestry has been a continuing exploration in my efforts to engage the viewer in the tale."

Matzke of St. Cloud has attracted second looks and furrowed brows of thought with her exhibit of tapestries this month at the Austin Area Art Center.

Matzke's tapestries weave -- pardon the pun -- words of inspiration into the fiber creations.

The owner of Gallery 702 at St. Cloud since 1991 dazzles viewers with both tapestries from the loom and hand-embroidery

A former high school and elementary school art instructor, Matzke has also taught fiber in college. She is presently working on five commissions for her works.

Since September 1992, gallery 702 has showcased her art and others.

Matzke's art has been on display at the Minnesota State Fair, Benedicta Art Center at the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph,

Alice R. Rogers Gallery, St. John's University, Collegeville, and elsewhere.

She has taught fiber art at the Grand Marais Art Colony Workshop, Minnesota Federation of Weavers and Fiber Artists Conference.

Matzke has had one-person exhibitions, earned the Central Minnesota Arts Board's 1996 individual artist grant award, published her works in Fiber Arts Design Book Five and sent her works to collections at

the College of St. Benedict, Queen of Peace Hospital, St. Cloud Community Arts Council,

and St. John's University.

Artist of the Month

Priscilla Olson also is concluding her Artist of the Month stint at the Art Center.

After a 95-painting exhibit in two days at the Art Center, she now has 30 paintings on display as the Artist of the Month.

Farm scenes, floras and Americana are among the growing list of subject material for her watercolors.

Presently, she is working on her entry in the upcoming Freedom Fest in the Heartland art show.

The Art Center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com