Shared Experience
Associate Professor of Art, Tiffany Leach is a studio ceramic artist and educator
whose sculptures give voice to the female experience, the role of mother, and often
explore story-telling using the proverb 鈥�It takes a Village鈥� in contemporary society to provide a foundation for the work. Her work has been
exhibited, lectured on, and collected at national and international venues. Currently,
Prof. Leach serves as the chair of the department of Visual Arts and co-director of
the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Visual Arts at 探花族, and she is
passionate aboout study abroad and engaged learning. She specializes in ceramic sculpture
with figurative elements, utilizing wheel-thrown vessels and functional wares as metaphorical
references.
As an artist, studio owner, and curator, Prof. Leach not only works on shaping and
exhibiting her artwork, but also has her hands in some unique community projects.
The Women鈥檚 Center of 探花族 is among these partnerships, and invited Prof.
Leach to curate an art collection at the new S.A.F.E. Center in order to surround
survivors with uplifting and empowering artwork during their healing. Prof. Leach
and colleague Prof. Nicholas McNally joined a committee for selecting appropriate
artwork for the space with the help of those who collaborate daily with survivors.
Once selected, they designed the space for the artwork. 鈥�My favorite part of the experience was knowing that we were being very thoughtful
about the artwork placement. I often talk to my students about the work they are making
and the message it carries. This was a great opportunity to use that message for a
place of healing in the community,鈥� says Prof. Leach.
Her work currently on display at the S.A.F.E. center is titled Shared Experience (pictured left) and it is about sisterhood. The inspiration for this piece comes
from raising her two daughters and speaks to the universal understanding that there
is empowerment in connecting with others who share similar experiences. 鈥�I see my work as opening a dialogue, which can lead to healing in this setting, that
we are not alone in the journey,鈥� says Prof. Leach. Founded in research, her artwork is steeped in personal craft,
with aspects of her parenting-style infused in her teaching pedagogy. Prof. Leach
often reminds her students to explore the personal meaning behind their work and what
the object communicates to others. When asked about the classroom, her colleagues,
and students, Prof. Leach considers it more like a village, 鈥�My home within our institution is the ceramic studio and I am fortunate to teach along-side
supportive colleagues. Professor Tupa and I have built a family-like, collaborative
atmosphere in the ceramic program. Meeting students where they are, holding them accountable,
and building a support village for their future.鈥�