About Paula Cleggett

BIO

From her earliest memory, Paula’s twin loves of art and reading claimed her fullest attention, later guiding her career. Born in Chicago, Paula attended the Art Institute of Chicago while in high school; she went on to earn a BA in art education from the University of Wisconsin at Platteville; she received an MA in journalism, from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

She has held a variety of engaging positions: a freelance writer and calligrapher in Kenya, a technical editor at the U.S. Energy Department, a public affairs officer at the U.S. Treasury Department, and an associate administrator for public affairs at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. After retiring from a rewarding government career, Paula joined The Curb Center for Art, Enterprise and Public Policy at Vanderbilt University as associate director for policy.

Now retired, she is able to devote more hours to her first love, art, and paints whenever possible.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My creative expressions start with stories worth telling on canvas. My most compelling narratives convey strong composition and design with a supporting cast of relatable characters, confident color palettes, and believable brush strokes.

With light playing a leading role, my paintings feature morning light gracing cattle and cowhand, midday sun embracing church picnic patrons and evening shade serenading a retiring couple. Filtered light falls on a family around the table as well as a duo tackling a cookbook recipe. Smoky spotlights bounce off dancers, singers and music-makers.

I shine a light on warm, familiar themes—family, friends, food and frivolity—with new perspectives. It is my intent to connect with viewers through our shared, life affirming experiences.

For more about me, read My Story

RECENT AWARDS AND JURIED SHOWS

Hill Center Galleries, Solo Show, September 2023 – January 2024

National Institutes of Health, Solo Show, April – July, 2023

Hill Center Regional Juried Exhibit, First Place, Tenement Talk, January to April 2023

Loft Gallery, Solo Show, July – August 2022

Hill Center Regional Juried Exhibit, February to June 2022

Strathmore, Home, Annual Juried Exhibition

Piano Lessons, Giving Thanks, January to February 2020

Will’s Creek Juried Exhibition, Sept. – Oct. 2019; Second Place, The Cookbook

Hill Center Galleries, Solo Show, Shine the Light, May – June 2019

National Institutes of Health, Solo Show, November 2018 – February 2019

Hill Center Galleries, Invitational Exhibit, Stitched: Stories Told in Clay, Fiber,
Textiles and Paints, January – February 2018

Montgomery County Art Association, Creative Expressions 2017, Friendship

Heights Show; Honorable Mention, Farmer Brown, after Gordon Parks

Hill Center Galleries Regional Juried Exhibition, Quilting by Lamplight
June – October, 2017

Strathmore, La Vie en Bleu, the 26th Annual Strathmore Juried Exhibition
Honorable Mention, Maasai Man, January to February 2017

Capitol Hill Art League Juried Exhibition at the Hill Center, Best in Show
January – March 2015