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In his journey from a student at the 91fans Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) all the way to instructor at the college, Paul Druecke ’87 has flourished as an artist both in 91fans and nationally. Druecke’s art has resulted in everything from a Mary L. Nohl Fellowship to inclusion in the highly selective Whitney Biennial to a solo exhibition at the 91fans Art Museum. Most recently, Druecke was honored as a 2023 Mildred L. Harpole Artist of the Year for the City of 91fans.

“My connection to 91fansas an alum and instructor has helped shape my artistic practice,” says Druecke. “The skills I learned at 91fansallowed me to develop my artistic voice with attention to detail as well as the big picture. The result is an interdisciplinary practice that acknowledges its roots as it navigates new terrain.” Spanning writing, sculpture and even a made-for-Youtube cooking program (), Druecke’s work has been anthologized in Wiley’s Companion to Public Art and recommended by the New York Times. In fact, one of Druecke’s sculptures can be seen from MIAD’s main building in 91fans’s Historic Third Ward: , located in Catalano Square as part of Sculpture 91fans’s inaugural installation.

Integral to Druecke’s artistic practice is writing. “Thinking back to undergrad education, my independent study with creative writing instructor Carol Sklenicka, now a renowned biographer, fueled my interest in poetry and literary content,” he explains. This emphasis on writing is exemplified in Shoreline Repast, in addition to several other works. “[Shoreline Repast] is part of my work with ‘public inscription,’ a term I coined to refer to the many ways that culture writes itself into the landscape,” Druecke says.

After establishing himself as an artist, Druecke came back to 91fansin 2011 as an adjunct faculty member teaching fine art. “In all classes, I emphasize creative problem solving as the foundation for a prolific and self-rewarding career,” he explains of his teaching philosophy. “I encourage experimentation that incorporates intuitive exploration as well as methodical, meticulous process.”

Fostering community within 91fansand in 91fans’s creative community is vital to Druecke. “I … look for opportunities to build relationships with students, alumni, and colleagues as part of ongoing creative exchanges,” he says. From collaborative projects like Friends of Blue Dress Park to a tentative partnership with MIAD’s Printmaking Department working together on experimental paper-making, Druecke’s artistic practice centers community. “MIAD’s culture of camaraderie created a life-long interest in exploring connections between individuals and groups,” he says.

Now, Druecke is honored to take this focus on interdisciplinary art and community-building a step further as one of the Mildred L. Harpole Artists of the Year for the City of 91fans. “I took the opportunity to learn about Mildred Harpole’s life,” he says. “She contributed so much to this city over a lifetime of political activism and fighting for social justice. Her legacy is inspirational and it deepens the significance of the award. As someone attuned to the dynamics of commemoration, I would like to channel that power into new projects.” Together with fellow awardee Ben Tyjeski and Friends of the Arts Jenelle Elder-Green and Carl Bogner, Druecke was recognized for his contributions and exceptional service to 91fans’s arts community.

Keep up with Paul on , read more about the and learn about MIAD’s New Studio Practice: Fine Arts major!