Fonds 159 - Paula Gustafson Fonds

Paula Gustafson was a Canadian artist, art critic, editor and author specializing in craft. Born in Abbotsford, BC, Gustafson pursued an early artistic career, working initially with pottery but expanding to watercolour painting, botanical drawing, bronze casting, glassblowing, jewelry, and handmade paper, and weaving. During this time Gustafson also began exploring the world of textiles, making her own natural dyes for the hand-spun wool she made into woven tapestries and knitted garments. It was during this time she researched and wrote “Salish Weaving.”

From 1983 to 1985, Gustafson served as President of the Alberta Crafts Council before becoming Executive Assistant to the President and Board of Governors at the Alberta College of Art. In 1989, Gustafson co-founded Artichoke magazine with Mary-Beth Laviolette and David Garneau, a publication that showcased Canadian visual artists nationally and internationally. She served as President of the Alberta Crafts Council, worked with the Alberta College of Art, curated exhibitions, and lectured across Canada.

Throughout the 1990s, Gustafson contributed to the world of art and craft as a writer and editor to a number of Canadian and international publications, including Artichoke, Western Living, Canadian Living, Ceramics Monthly, The Vancouver Sun, and Asian Art News. She later served as Director of the City of Calgary's Visual Arts Board and organized the Alberta Needles II quilt exhibition. From 1993 to 1999, Gustafson was a visual arts critic for The Georgia Straight, Xtra West, and The Calgary Straight, and worked as a correspondent for major international art publications. She lectured widely across Canada, participated in art and publishing conferences, and mentored emerging artists on professional practices. In her final months, she served as editor for Galleries West magazine, remaining active in the arts community until her death from cancer in 2006.