Paula Gorski

Born on Milwaukee’s South Side, under the shadow of the Polish Moon, (a term of endearment for Allen Bradley’s clock), raised by her grandmother, who cared for a wild crow named Edgar and created rag rugs from old dresses and nylons, Paula’s work mirrors her grandmother’s ingenuity. She repurposes recycled dresses and aprons into strips, wrapping them around ropes and applying them to various objects like shopping carts and chairs, giving new life to discarded items.

Her artistic journey has taken her to places like La Paz, Bolivia, and Cartagena, Colombia, where she taught and showcased paintings and sculptures. Upon returning to Eau Claire, she witnessed the city’s thriving art community, fueled by a nationally recognized Jazz program at UWEC and the influential Volume One Arts magazine.

What energizes you as you consider the future of the arts in Wisconsin?

Eau Claire’s dedication to the arts is evident through venues like The Pablo Center on the Confluence, boasting galleries and auditoriums for performances, and the newly remodeled L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library with its beautiful gallery space. My artistic achievements include winning Best of Show for Arts West (an annual juried show) at the Library and being accepted for exhibits at the Pablo Center.

Beyond formal spaces, Eau Claire has embraced public art, adorning downtown walls with murals and placing sculptures along the Chippewa River. The “Art on the Bus” project, Eau Claire’s longest running Public Art exhibit, which I have coordinated and created, decorates buses with children’s artwork, showcasing a commitment to making art accessible to all.

I finds inspiration in Wisconsin’s rich artistic history, including notable figures like Georgia O’Keeffe, Les Paul, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Liberace. The enthusiasm for fostering a vibrant arts culture in Wisconsin is palpable, echoing the legacy of those who came before. I am proud to be part of this dynamic arts community in Wisconsin.

Where can we find your work?

Paula actively exhibits her work in Eau Claire, WI throughout the community and at her studio in Banbury Place.