10/09/2025
Lake Effect’s Xcaret Nuñez spoke with local tile artist Ben Tyjeski () about how his handmade tiles are rooted in natural and local history.
After years of writing about Milwaukee’s historic faience tiles and architectural terra cotta, Tyjeski has decided to put his own spin on the craft. He’s created 40 faience tile panels that depict motifs of native flora and fauna and is exhibiting them at the Grove Gallery () in Milwaukee until Oct. 18.
When talking about the parks that inspired this work, Tyjeski says, “You know when you’re a child and you see a flower you’ve never seen before and you go, ‘Wow!’ That’s a feeling I still feel as an adult when I explore these natural spaces, parks and forests.”
You can see the “Birds and Blooms” art show on Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Grove Gallery in Walker’s Point. There will also be a Gallery Night on Friday, Oct. 17, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the show’s last day will be Saturday, Oct. 18, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
