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.
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
Awards & Honors
1988 Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Fellowship
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
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
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
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
