Awards
2021 Alabama State Council on the Arts, Visual Arts Fellowship Recipient
2021 44th Biennial Montgomery Art Guild/ MMFA Exhibition, Foy Gilmore Goodwin Award
2020 ArtsRevive, “Roots and Wings”, Best in Show
2019 43rd Biennial Montgomery Art Guild/MMFA Exhibition, Landmark Award
2018 Selma Art Guild, “Lost and Found”, Best in Show
2006 Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, “Southern Roots Exhibit”, 1st Place
2005 Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, “Southern Roots Exhibit”, 2nd Place
Press Coverage and Media
Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, Tuscaloosa AL
Shaken By The Roots, January 11 - February 28, 2022
Narrated video chronicling works in the exhibit by Leanna Leithauser-Lesley
BMA Education
Interview: Artists in Quaratine
Interview by Carey Fountain, Manager of Public Programs
https://www.artsbma.org/leanna-leithauser-lesly/
Madison-Oconee Lake Living, Jan-Feb 2019 Edition
Article: Threads of Change - Revolutionizing an Art Form through Justice,
Tolerance, and Jazz
Story by Tia Lynn Ivey
National Public Radio, April 2017
"Needlepoint Artist Brings Jazz Portraits to Theatrical Outfit"
Article by Gabbie Watts and audio interview with NPR's Lois Reitzes:
https://www.wabe.org/needlepoint- artist-brings-jazz-portraits-theatrical-outfit/
Atlanta Journal Constitution
April 2017 Atlanta Journal Constitution Article: "Needlepoint Portraits Celebrate Jazz Icons"
Story by Sheila M. Poole
http://www.myajc.com/entertainment/arts--theater/needlepoint-portraits-celebrate-jazz-icons/oV59BCJFLAj4QJVWZ69LKI/
True North Podcast
June 2017 NorthStar Podcast: "Leanna Leithauser-Lesley: Art Reflecting History"
An in-depth interview with the artist, how she got her start and where needlepoint and a love of music has led her.
Good Grit Magazine
March 2017 Good Grit Magazine article, "Not your Grandmother's Pillow, Celebrity Needlepoints"
Story by Allison Underwood