Modern Artist Profile - Paula Hartmann

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In conversation with Paula Hartmann, one of the many talented artists participating in the 2025 Mississauga Festival of Trees.

1. Tell us a bit about your art practice. What do you specifically do?

I’m a Toronto-based installation artist and mobile maker creating kinetic sculptures inspired by folk traditions from around the world. Using humble materials like paper, straw, and thread, I craft delicate, suspended works that move with air—inviting reflection, wonder, and spiritual connection. Alongside my studio work, I lead retreats and workshops that encourage creative play and cultural storytelling, helping others connect to craft, heritage, and their own creative voice.

 2. What inspires you?

I’m inspired by anything that sparks a feeling of joy in my body—and I pay close attention to those moments. Sometimes it’s an unexpected shape, or a colour combination that makes my heart skip a beat and my pupils widen. I’m also endlessly fascinated by repetition. All of my installations are built from hundreds of identical elements, creating an immersive sense of rhythm and a feeling of being held inside something infinite.

Photo by Chung Ling

 3. How do you approach a new project?

I usually approach new work in one of two ways. Sometimes I see the entire installation in my mind first—fully formed—and then work backward, engineering the steps and materials needed to bring that vision into reality. Other times, I begin with a single prototype: a shape or colour combination that feels alive to me. From there, I imagine what would happen if it multiplied—how it might transform, expand, and eventually become an entire world of its own.

 4. Describe the experience of working with CreativeHub 1352 in Mississauga on a commissioned artwork for the Festival of Trees.

Working with Jo Yetter and Richard Posa from CreativeHub 1352 was an incredibly positive experience. They made me feel welcomed, supported, and creatively safe from the very beginning. CreativeHub is a place where artists are genuinely valued, and that care shows in how thoughtfully and professionally everything is organized. The collaboration felt smooth, respectful, and artist-centered—an environment where meaningful work can truly flourish.

Photo by Chung Ling

 5. What excites you about Mississauga’s Festival of Trees?

A few years ago, I visited the Small Arms Building for an art event—it was maybe a year before I even created my first installation—and something about the space felt magical. I remember thinking, “One day, I want to create something here.” So being part of the Festival this year feels like a dream arriving full circle. I’m excited for people to encounter the work and to be enchanted by it.

 6. What’s in store for 2026?

Several exciting projects are already taking shape. In January, I’ll be part of the DesignTO Festival with two kinetic installations. In February, I’ll be leading a paper-art retreat in Oaxaca, Mexico, and in May I’ll co-host a creative retreat in Italy’s Le Marche region. It’s shaping up to be a year filled with movement, colour, travel, and creative community—and I can’t wait to share more as it unfolds.