MAY I PLEEEAAASE HAVE A BALLOON? Kevin Schwartz, pictured right, offers a young child a handmade balloon creation at Volume One's "The Great Big Hullabaloo" event in 2023. For over two decades, Schwartz has been one of the Chippewa Valley’s only balloon artists (and possesses an equally impressive skill for juggling too).

Kevin Schwartz, despite his quiet demeanor, brings art to life in strikingly colorful ways across the Chippewa Valley– with balloons! Since moving to the area over two decades ago, his warm smile and artistic creations have become staples at children’s birthday parties, weddings, corporate events and the downtown Eau Claire farmers market – just to name a few.

Schwartz remains one of the Chippewa Valley’s only balloon artists and possesses an equally impressive skill for juggling too. It was in his home state of Michigan where he first learned the art of “keeping people guessing,” offering random acts of kindness to those around him.

Schwartz has met hundreds (if not thousands, at this point) of folks of all ages in the Valley; readers and Volume One event attendees may have received one of his balloon creations at The Great Big Hullabaloo in 2023.

Inside the Pablo Center in downtown Eau Claire, Schwartz crafted what he considers one of his most ambitious creations: a monumental 40-foot rainbow arch made entirely of balloons, in all shapes and sizes.

We had the chance to sit down with Schwartz, ask a few questions of his love for wonder and creativity through balloon art, and even received a few creations of our own – including a one-of-a-kind Chippewa River Trolley Co-inspired balloon sculpture!

Needless to say, Schwartz has left his mark – or should we say twist – on the Chippewa Valley community.

V1: Could you tell us about the beginning of your career in balloon artistry and juggling?

KS: Back in the third grade, we had a performer come to our school and did some juggling, which I thought was really cool. So, after that, I taught myself how to juggle, which took about a year. When I got into college, a friend of mine was doing some magic and got me involved with that. I had another friend who was (making) balloon animals and doing random acts of kindness (by) putting balloons up on people's doors in the dorms. When she was out of town, she needed someone to get her off the hook – so she taught me how to make balloons.

V1: What types of events and parties have you been a part of since moving to Eau Claire in the early 2000s?

KS: Birthday parties, corporate parties, graduation parties, rehearsal dinners; I’ve done weddings, senior all night lock-ins, the Northern Wisconsin State Fair, (and) a lot of other community activities. I was at a Regis (Catholic Schools) “All Night Grad Party” quite a few years ago. One of the seniors came up and asked me for an Elvis Presley (balloon) with blue suede shoes. That was pretty cool.

Kevin Schwartz, pictured above, constructs a parrot made out of red, yellow and blue balloons.

V1: What are some ways you continue to expand your knowledge and skills in balloon artistry – from learning new shapes, to abstract figures and techniques?

KS: Outside of just working on the fly – I actually do that a lot – if I have never made a creation before or have (not) heard of whatever they're asking for, if they show me a picture I can pretty much come up with something close. I am on different Facebook groups where I can interact with (balloon artists) which is how I learn some of the different things that I make.

V1: Could you share any special or unique balloon creations you’ve made over the years, either for yourself or family and friends?

KS: There was one year for Halloween when my son was nine (or) 10 years old, I had turned him into a skeleton dinosaur that he could wear. When he was walking – because of how (the balloons were) attached to his body – the tail would wag. I had (also) made a giant wearable Frankenstein costume, that was for myself.

V1: How does your family support your career, and are they involved in your balloon creations or juggling adventures?

KS: My wife pretty much handles all the backside of everything – she helps with the emails, the communications, bookings. She's pretty much the boss. My oldest daughter does not like the sounds the balloons make. However, she can probably make a couple dozen different creations.

My son can probably make about a dozen or so different creations. He also does some juggling too; I've taught him how to do that. My middle daughter pretty much wants nothing to do with it; my youngest daughter loves what I make.

Usually, if I'm making any balloons and she's around, she usually asks for an orange dog cuz orange is her favorite (color) and she likes dogs.

A child at The Great Big Hullabaloo event, poses with an octopus balloon art creation – made by Schwartz.

V1: Of all the skills you've developed and people you’ve met over the years, which aspects of being a balloon artist do you find most fulfilling?

KS: Personally I like going to a lot of the (area) senior homes, because they have a different appreciation for the arts. I can't always make the largest creations… (but) there was one person (who) I ended up making a golf club set: the golf bag with golf clubs and the golf ball.

At birthday parties, kids love the balloons. However, the parents tend to love them more, they just don't want to admit it. So, usually after I am done making balloons for all of the kids, I tend to go over to the adults and that's usually when I get the more creative requests that I can have a little bit more fun with. I remember one (party) where I ended up making a headless horseman with the horseman holding the pumpkin head.

V1: What specifically about the Chippewa Valley community serves as your continued inspiration for this work?

KS: (Chippewa Vallians are) really friendly; it’s an inviting community. Probably my favorite is Chippewa Falls – especially with their National Night Out.

Here in Eau Claire, the farmers markets (and) the support that they show for the local farmers; local vendors at the artist markets – it's just amazing.

V1: What is the most important thing you'd want to share with the Chippewa Valley about the work that you do?

KS: I have been making balloons for over 25 years. I make it look easy because that's my job is to make it look easy. If you think about it from that perspective, for 25 years – roughly 10,000 balloons a year – you're talking a quarter million balloons. That's a lot of balloons that I've had to inflate and tie.

If people don't want to hire me and they want to do it themselves, I always recommend getting a pump because you're never going to be able to blow those up by mouth.

It takes a lot of practice; you cannot be afraid of the balloons popping.

Kevin Schwartz of "Kevin's Juggling & Balloons" is available for birthday parties, private events, weddings, and celebrations of all kinds in the Chippewa Valley. To inquire about booking Schwartz for your next party, visit his Facebook page online (@KevinsJugglingBalloons) or email balloonguy911@gmail.com.