Art, community, innovation and resources combined with a hardcore spiritual impetus are central to Lex Leonard’s work.

Leonard does the work of building and feeding Home.  Whether managing artists’ live/work spaces, spearheading galleries or creating venues that showcase emerging and established artists in the performing and visual arts.  His commitment is clear – rigorous culture needs a HOME.

VISIONARY presents Lex Leonard.

- Noelle Lorraine Williams| VISIONARY| A Project of REBORN

This interview took place by email August 2009.

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LEX LEONARD is building Home.

NOELLE LORRAINE WILLIAMS | You have a very significant and ongoing engagement with creating artist run spaces and promoting creative expression. How long have you been developing artist communities?

LEX LEONARD | I've been involved in the arts proactively since the mid 90's. I started with a Central Jersey based art collective called La Di Da. The rest is history.

NOELLE LORRAINE WILLIAMS | What are the key elements that are at the core of what you
do?

LEX LEONARD | Passion, DIY, free-spirit, grassroots, volunteerism, beauty, truth, music, visuals, dance [and] soul.

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"Collaborations are integral to what I do for my projects are about galvanizing the art community thus perpetuating its existence. The best way to do that is by working with others who'll bring more people to the fold (new blood and old)." - Lex Leonard 
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NOELLE LORRAINE WILLIAMS | One significant reoccurrence in some of your projects is collaborating with others, including your most recent project- Grassroots Facilities. I see that even when you are not present the projects seem to have ownership with on the part of everyone involved. In what ways is collaboration integral to what you do?

LEX LEONARD | Collaborations are integral to what I do for my projects are about galvanizing the art community thus perpetuating its existence. The best way to do that is by working with others who'll bring more people to the fold (new blood and old).

NOELLE LORRAINE WILLIAMS| Where did you develop this vision? In what ways has your community, family and history influenced what you do?

LEX LEONARD | I saw Woodstock 69 when I was a little boy and that made a deep impact. My father being a muralist influenced me artistically.

NOELLE LORRAINE WILLIAMS| What are the projects that you are currently working
on?

LEX LEONARD | Grassroots Community Space. Urban Myth.

NOELLE LORRAINE WILLIAMS| You also noted in our previous conversation that you are cultivating your own art practice? What is the concept behind your work and what materials do you work with? How does this relate to your entire life’s work?

LEX LEONARD |  I consider many of my male friends (as well as myself) progressive urban playboys. My next body of work has to do with this. It'll be a series of photographs taken with my little Blackberry.

www.lexleonard.com