Leah (Peer Mentor)

Meet Leah

My name is Leah and I am a first time peer mentor at The Union for Contemporary Art. I adore kids and have volunteered with youth in schools and other programs. I hope to gain more experience working with older youth and am excited to get to do that with this opportunity. My role models and people I look up to greatly influence my art. This includes mentors and my favorite activists and poets. Also getting away from my work space and exploring urban areas of Omaha, museums and gardens inspire my creative energy. I most frequently work with fashion design/sewing and collaging. I love going thrifting and up-cycling the clothes or fabric I get. Often I make tote bags and alter clothing. I use collaging as a way to speak out against injustice and portray a certain mood using words and images that are powerful to me. I see art as a way of learning about other people. Telling stories, finding creative ways to incorporate activism into art pieces and discovering things that may not be talked about or brought up in conversation all contribute to an intimate connection between the artist and observer. I hope to create strong relationships and encourage youth to use art to tell THEIR story.

Who inspires you?

My role models, especially Amanda Gorman, Audre Lorde, Marsha P. Johnson and Michelle Obama.

Where is your favorite place in the world? Why?

Craters of the moon in Idaho. I’ve only visited once, but it was one of the most breathtaking experiences I’ve had. Craters of the moon is a national park and it’s full of caves to explore, all created by volcanic rock!

What is your favorite quote or motto?

A bit of fragrance clings to the hand that gives flowers —Chinese proverb