Artist Statement

My work is mainly sculpture and installation- usually temporary. It is meant to be experienced in relation to the whole body. I am interested in the dichotomies between fragility and strength; ephemerality and solidity. The use of fabric as a basic material allows me to explore these issues. My studio practice is very process-oriented- and part of that involves information-gathering. I am always looking for projects that engage others and occur outside of the studio or gallery. I like to work with a particular site in mind because it adds to the mix of information.

When I started out (over 35 years ago), I was most interested in placing art in places where it could be encountered by anyone. At the time I was using fabric in mixed media constructions. I was drawn to using fabric because of its various uses; for protection, disguise, decoration, etc., as well as its association with women’s work. While working at a shelter for battered women and their children I began to think about the concept of shelter- physical, psychic, metaphoric. This has remained as one of the basic elements in my work. I also began to realize that I needed to find a balance between solitary studio time and collaborative work.

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Education

2020
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
MSW

1986
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
MFA, Sculpture

1980
Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
BFA, Printmaking

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Awards & Honors

1988
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Fellowship

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Professional Experience

2017
Artist in Residence, Art Futures, Masterman High School, Philadelphia, PA

Youth Arts Day, Center for Emerging Visual Arts, Philadelphia, PA

Kite Project, People's Emergency Center, Philadelphia, PA

2015 - 2016
Mighty Writers, El Futuro, Philadelphia, PA

2015 and 2016
New Courtland Fellowship, Philadelphia, PA

2013
Awbury Recreation Center Summer Camp, Philadelphia, PA

2012
Artist in Residence, Philadelphia Mural Arts/Parks and Recreation, Awbury Recreation Center, Philadelphia, PA

2010
Artist in Residence, Moth drawing project with seventh grade classes, Independence Charter School, Philadelphia, PA

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Theatre Set Design and Construction

2017
The Vagina Monologues, Sedgwick Theatre, Philadelphia, PA

2004
Chrysalis, multi-media performance, Meetinghouse Theatre at the CEC, Philadelphia, PA

1990
DanceFusion, Philadelphia, PA

1989
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

1984
Chapel Gallery, West Newton, MA

1982
Providence Public Theatre, Providence, RI

Trinity Conservatory, Providence, RI

Flat Branch Theatre Company, Providence, RI

Exhibitions

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Solo

2016
Trap(ped), Old City Publishing, Philadelphia, PA

Outdoor Installation, Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, Philadelphia, PA

2015
110 Church Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2012
Like a Moth to a Flame, URBN, Philadelphia, PA

2011
Leah Reynolds: Bee Life, Nexus Foundation for Today’s Art, Philadelphia, PA

2010
Like A Moth to a Flame, The Hall, InLiquid at the Crane Arts Building, Philadelphia, PA

2009
Sphericity, Nexus Foundation for Today’s Art, Philadelphia, PA

2007
Furl, Philadelphia International Airport, Terminal A-West, Philadelphia, PA

55 Mercer Gallery, New York, NY

2005
Reading Art Works, Reading, PA

55 Mercer Gallery, New York, NY

2002
The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Wilmington, DE

2000
Outdoor Installation, Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Philadelphia, PA

1995
Window on Broad, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

1993
University City Arts League, Philadelphia, PA

Fleisher Challenge, Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

1991
West Chester University, West Chester, PA

School One Gallery, Providence, RI

1984
Chapel Gallery, West Newton, MA

1983
Outdoor Installation, Rhode Island State Arts Council, Providence, RI

1982
Outdoor Installation, Brown University, Providence, RI

Outdoor Installation, Lincoln Woods Park, Lincoln, RI

1981
Outdoor Installation, Providence Public Library, Providence, RI

1980
School One Gallery, Providence, RI

Outdoor Installation, Roger Williams Park, Providence, RI

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Group

2017
Message to Our Daughters, Art in City Hall, Philadelphia, PA

Unanchored Geometry, Park Towne Place, Philadelphia, PA

2016
Art in the Open, Philadelphia, PA

2013
Fleisher Art Memorial, Founder’s Award Celebration, Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

2010
GROUND PLAY: Nexus at The Schuylkill Center, The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, Philadelphia, PA

2008
J. Makary, Leah Reynolds, and Blaine Siegel: New Members Exhibition, Nexus Foundation for Today’s Art, Philadelphia, PA

2003
Repetition: Day After Day, InLiquid at the Bride, Painted Bride Art Center, Philadelphia, PA

2000
Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA

1999
Focus on Fibers, Art in City Hall, Philadelphia, PA

1998
20 x 12: A Generation of Challenge Artists, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

1997
The Nature of Form, Borowsky Gallery/Gershman Y, Philadelphia, PA

1996
Defining the Edge, The Painted Bride Art Center, Philadelphia, PA

1992
Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA

1991
Port of History Museum, Philadelphia, PA

1990
Arthur Ross Gallery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

1989
Levy Gallery, Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA

1988
Momenta Art Alternatives, Philadelphia, PA

1987
Momenta Art Alternatives, Philadelphia, PA

Painted Bride Art Center, Philadelphia, PA

1983
Gallery Naga, Boston, MA