The Pawtucket Hall of Fame honors the late Gretchen Dow Simpson, a celebrated painter and arts advocate whose work elevated Rhode Island’s cultural life. A RISD graduate, Simpson gained national acclaim with more than 50 covers for The New Yorker. Returning to Rhode Island, she became a vital force in Pawtucket’s arts community, notably creating the iconic 1,400-square-foot mural along I-95 in 2012 that bridges the city’s industrial heritage with her refined geometric style. Her paintings, found in major museums worldwide, and her leadership in local arts organizations cement her legacy as a visionary artist and cultural leader.