

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