It is often said that you need to know the rules before you can break them. In art, as in life, there are certain rules by which you must abide before you can make your own. Artist Debra Broz must be well acquainted. Working with fragile ceramic, she delivers beautiful works with an acidic twist. Inspired by the scientific process of DNA manipulation and genetic mutation, Broz constructs whimsical figurines gone wrong — a tongue-in-cheek response to what may have been on all of our mantels growing up. Gliding porpoises with two tails, darling dachshunds with eight paws — Broz’s subtle use of black humor in such an unexpected place creates a charming sense of wit in her work. In addition to working as an artist, Broz serves as the acting director of Pump Project Art Complex, a local artists’ workspace and gallery, as well as holding the position of editor at Cantanker, a local arts magazine. Broz also owns Science of Art Restoration, specializing in the restoration of ceramics and pottery. Consider the rules warned. For more information on Debra’s work, visit debrabroz.com.