Narrative Tiles

CraftStudies is pleased to present Narrative Tiles, a new exhibition by artist Fia Alexander, whose imaginative ceramic works invite viewers into a world where storytelling and material meet. Through hand-built tiles and softly glowing luminaries, Alexander explores how clay can carry memory, myth, and meaning—layering whimsical imagery, dynamic color, and fragments of text into richly evocative scenes.

Rooted in a lifelong love of making, Alexander’s work reflects what she describes as the “mysterious alchemy” of transforming raw materials into expressions of an inner universe. Her tiles often begin in observation—an owl following a mountainside walk, a hidden nest of hatching birds, a bear wandering through an orchard—and evolve into playful, dimensional compositions that blur the line between real and imagined. Pieces like Go to the Woods experiment with physical depth through layered clay, while works such as Asleep Underground and The Oak reveal unseen worlds just beneath the surface.

The exhibition also includes luminaries like Magic is Afoot, inspired by dream imagery and designed to cast a warm, golden glow—extending Alexander’s storytelling into light and space.

Alexander’s path to ceramics grew out of a background in fiber art, graphic design, and illustration, with doodling as her most constant creative practice. Her discovery of clay at CraftStudies through an AARP-sponsored workshop led to the development of these sculptural narrative tiles.

Infused with curiosity, humor, and a deep appreciation for everyday wonder, Narrative Tiles reflects Alexander’s belief that “whimsy is medicinal” and that making is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Visitors are invited to look closely, linger, and perhaps rediscover the joy of noticing small things.