Carolyn Enid Sadowska

Carolyn Enid Sadowska was born in Wallasey, England, across the legendary Mersey River from Liverpool. She came to Canada as a child and grew up in largely francophone Quebec City. She returned to England later to study at the Liverpool College of Art (LCA). An early fan of the Beatles, Carolyn could be found on the dance floor whenever they played the local clubs.

After one year at LCA, Carolyn transferred to L’Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Quebec. After graduation, she moved to Toronto and exhibited with La Cimaise Gallery. But her appetite for growth drew her back to the academy and she completed an Honours degree in Fine Arts/Film at York University and Bachelor of Education at Ontario Teacher Education College.

Wanting to experience a new environment and different culture while contributing professionally, Carolyn accepted an offer to teach Cree children in an isolated fly-in community inland from James Bay. It was her subsequent good fortune to have many great adventures flying around the north. Her artistic eye absorbed the light, the colours of the land and the energy of the people.

In an unexpected twist of fate, Carolyn stepped onstage for the first time at the age of 40, unleashing a passion and talent for performing. Two years later found her working live, professionally, for an audience of 40,000 people.

Through the hectic years of performing, at home and abroad, Carolyn never failed to carve time from her schedule to paint and sketch. And her success as an entertainer provided the income to build her own free-standing studio at home. There she continued to nourish her love of the visual arts and its expression.

Her unique works include ethnographic drawings used in two prominent Canadian aboriginal court cases, and an exuberant mural (25’ x 15’) created for Café Casablanca in Victoria, BC.

She continues to live and work near Mile 0 in Victoria, BC.