About Joan Baliker

Joan was born in Chicago, Illinois where she grew up and attended the American Acaademy of Art studying Design, Fashion Illustration, Watercolor and Life Drawing. After marrying a military man, she spent 20 years traveling around the world. At each post, she continued her study of art techniques which included pastel portraiture, sumi painting, sculpture and wood carving.

In Florida, their final move, she worked with her scultptor son, Paul Baliker, for 10 years. When clay was introduced into his work, Joan began sculpting her Kindred Spirits, a series of people of many cultures who are seeking meaningful and happy lives.

In 2000, Joan was ordained an interfaith minister and honors all paths. Her ministry is her sculptures which she hopes will help bridge the differences among the global families.

As a member of the National League of American Pen Women and The National Museum of Women in the Arts, she displays and sells her pieces around Florida and in Colorado and South Carolina.

In 2003, she co-authored a sculpture and poetry book, The Wayshowers, that has found homes all around this country and in Japan and Great Britain. She is now writing a series of children's booklets to help them understand the positive aspects of themselves and others.

Baliker was featured in the February 2008 newsletter. To see more of her work look in Archives at "Art Frees the Soul" or see her website at joanbaliker.com

Read her debut article on "Understanding" in this issue.

Wayshowers Sculpture