Sarah Paulsen is an artist and animator. Her painting, collages, and animations, have been shown at UMSL's Gallery 210, the Kemper Museum of Art, Open Lot, the Des Lee Gallery, St. Charles Community College, Baseline Gallery, and the Ragtag Cinema Café.

Paulsen's animated documentary Que Sera, Sera?, the story of undocumented Mexican youth struggling with immigration issues in St. Louis, was screened at Hub-bub, the White Flag Projects, St. Louis International Film Festival, the Chicago International Children's Film Festival, the St. Louis Filmmaker's Showcase, and The Foundry. Her first animated documentary Hablas Espanglish? was made in conjunction with the True/False Film Festival.

While in Columbia, Missouri, Paulsen worked as Gallery coordinator for three years with the CARE Gallery a job-training program for teens. Community projects she facilitated included, a 1 Mile Print Made Walking Path, a Relief Mural for the Columbia Daily Tribune, and First Night Processional Pieces. In 2002, Paulsen spent one year working with Mexican youth and Southside Catholic Community Services to design and execute a 113ft mural at Casa Loma Ballroom.

After receiving her MFA from Washington University she traveled to South America and collaborated on a mural at Aldea Yanapay youth center in Cuzco, Peru. She has taught art and animation through St. Louis Art Museum, Washington University, SCOSAG, Laumeier Sculpture Park, Lewis and Clark Institute, and Columbia Public Schools. She currently teaches at Jefferson College and Marian Middle.