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Ava Polczynski is a creative currently pursuing a BFA in Sculpture, Installation, and Site Work from the Carnegie Mellon School of Art in Pittsburgh, PA. 

Approaching the act of making through an exploratory lens, her practice engages the visual and philosophical systems through which humans interpret the natural world– examining human epistemologies and how they influence our perception of life on Earth. Ava's work whimsically weaves object oriented ontologies and the aesthetics of natural history to subvert the institutional languages that shape our perception, beliefs, and authority. She is inspired by biology and natural history, and explores how systems of belief and display shape human relationships to nonhuman life. Often, her work manifests as acts of homage, collage, and exploration.

Group exhibitions

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TOMAYKO GALLERY       2026    TopSoil (upcoming)

Pittsburgh, PA

ELLIS GALLERY                 2023    Carried by Nails

Pittsburgh, PA                           2024    Elements

                                                  2024    Lichen Time

                                                  2025    Grass Fed Meat Cake

                                                  2026    Cabinets to Collections

THE FRAME GALLERY     2024     Re-orientation

Pittsburgh, PA

VISUAL GALLERY               2022    VAPA Foundation Honors Show

San Diego, CA

Recipient of

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Marjory Glassburn Francis Award        2026

Frank Ratchye Further Fund Grant       2025 - 2026
Regina Gouger Miller Scholarship        2022 - 2026
Lilian Santa Fine Arts Scholarship        2022

© Ava Polczynski, 2026

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