We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Paula Cullison a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Paula thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?
About ten years ago I decided to exhibit my international travel photograph, some of which I had been incorporating into my travel articles. My initial idea was to exhibit at the local university and community college campuses. My goal was to encourage students to think globally, no matter what their respective major. I hope that my photographs, which reflect my travels to many countries, will inspire students to study foreign languages, etc. and to study, travel, volunteer abroad. I joined a local arts group. Since then, I have been in over 85 exhibitions (many of which are solo shows. Several years ago, I was juried into an international art exhibition in the UAE. My photography, travel articles and books can be found on my website www.paulacullison.com
In 2020 I decided to create In Celebration of Women, a juried art exhibition for local female artists. This was my way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment which gave women the Right to Vote and the UN International Women’s Day, as well as Women’s History (aka HERstory) Month. I created a blind jury reflective of the cultural diversity in Arizona (Hispanic, Native, Black, Asian, and Anglo). We selected 30 artists, as we only had room for that number).
The opening event on March 6th at Herberger Art Gallery drew a hugh crowd of about 600. At my request. the Phoenix Poet Laureate – Rosemarie Dombrowski wrote a commemorative poem, the AZ Secretary of State – Katie Hobbs (now Governor) and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego issued proclamations. Two weeks later – because of COVID – the exhibit then went on line for 6 months. After the COVID lockdown, the exhibit was on display at the Arizona Capitol Museum.
In 2022, I was asked to create and curate another exhibition for female artists. I decided to Trade Name In Celebration of Women. This time I titled it In Celebration of Women II – Making HERstory. I again created another diverse blind jury. We were able to showcase 38 artists for the 2023 exhibits – at Herberger Gallery, Shemer Art Center and AZ Capitol Museum.
I again secured a commemorative poem from Phoenix Poet Laureate – Rosemarie Dombrowski, proclamations from Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego
Videos, posters, and proclamations of these exhibits are on our Arizona Women’s Partnership website: www.azwp.org I created AZWP in 2002 as an all-volunteer non-profit which awards grants to grass roots charities throughout the state that assist disadvantaged women and children. Since then, we have awarded over $600,000 in grants to over 90 non-profits which assist over 250,000 annually. To raise funds, I initially created two FUNdraisers to showcase females in the culinary industry: Getting Our Just Desserts and Wine WoMEN & Jazz. Both were successful and popular. We received extensive Media attention.
I knew that my ventures would be successful, as my ideas have merit (everybody wins); I have an extensive network; and I know how to make things happen. ‘Back in the Day’ as President of Women in Management for a major corporation, I created an extensive Year for All Arizona Women project (long story for another time).
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I have a CAN DO attitude. My immigrant parents (from Sicily) believed in the American Dream. They taught us that anything was possible with an education and through hard work. They were both blue collar workers. Dad, Angelo Giangreco, worked nights at the NYTimes as a pressman for 42 years. He brought ‘the paper’ home every morning; we read it. Mom, Constance Pace, was a dressmaker / seamstress in the NYC garment district. My 2 siblings and I all graduated from college; two of us completed graduate school.
Even though we moved from NYC to Phoenix. I still retained / maintain my ‘NYC Hustle’.
I have been recognized as a local leader: Martin Luther King, Jr. Diversity Award; YWCA Tribute to Leadership Award; Susan B Anthony Award for Civic involvement, National Bank / Phoenix Suns AmAZing Woman Award; BMO Harris Bank Award – Community Leader; Susan G. Komen Ribbon of Hope Award (helped to form the National Breast Cancer Coalition), Macy*s For Her Sake Heart and Soul Award.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
In 1989 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I found the lump which did not appear on the mammogram. As you can imagine, I was shocked. However, I decided that this would not discourage me. My husband and I watched comedies, as I recovered from a mastectomy.
About a year later I was contacted to be a (if not the) key person in Arizona to help form the National Breast Cancer Coalition. With my teen-age daughter’s help, I organized a candle light vigil at the Arizona State Capitol: with entertainment from the Trinidad Calypso Band whom I met at a local farmer’s market / Native Prayer ceremony / AZ Governor’s Proclamation / pink bed sheet for attendees to sign with names of breast cancer victims – which my daughter and I presented to our then US Congressman Senator Dennis DeConcini to encourage him to vote for appropriate legislation to help in this fight, I was then appointed to the federal government panel on breast cancer. I became an advocate through the National Breast Cancer Coalition. We were able to secure funding for research thought the military budget which was ear-marked for non-military spending. Our ploy was that since women were in the military, then 1in9 (at that time) would be diagnosed with breast cancer. It worked. We secured millions for research. A direct result was the identification of the BRCA genes.
My daughter Pamela and I have participated in at least 10 Race for the Cure events. My hope is that a cure will be found in my lifetime.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal is to help other women realize their potential. Women are our ‘under-celebrated’ natural resource. Our society has lost much by denying women access to whatever they need to succeed. We must continue to work together to right this wrong.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.paulacullison.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulacullison/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paula.cullison.3/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulacullison/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulaCullison
Image Credits
International Travel Photography by Paula G. Cullison