Perhaps one of the most beautiful aspects of art is its ability to address – and even put a visual to – the intangible concepts and emotions experienced in the world. Mary Bergs, the artist behind exhibition “UNCERTAIN CLASSIFICATIONS” now displayed at The Pablo Center at The Confluence, explores that sentiment. 

“Art has its own meaning. Just as written language and numeric notation are organized and arranged to convey ideas, visual art functions similarly. Each person who encounters an artwork, comprehends in their own way,” the art show’s description states. “I am interested in creating situations where non-specific ideas merge, a place where two or more ideas come together to form a relationship, a possibility, a new association.” 

Bergs’ most recent connection to the Chippewa Valley was through another Pablo Center show back in 2023 – which she juried – she has long had a history with Eau Claire. “Many, many years ago, I got my undergraduate degree at UW-Eau Claire,” Bergs said in a recent phone interview. 

A Wisconsin native, Bergs earned her first degree at UW-Eau Claire before taking an international trip to India in 1989, where she “became aware” she was going to be an artist, she said. While Bergs’ career has taken her – and her artwork – across the country and globe; Her project and exhibition resume is extensive, featuring solo- and two-person exhibitions from the Minneapolis area to Iowa, Kentucky, Wyoming, Canada, and even Costa Rica.

UNCERTAIN CLASSIFICATIONS is displayed at the The Pablo Center’s James W. Hansen Gallery (128 Graham Ave., Eau Claire) now through May 11. Learn more about the artist at marybergs.com.