upcoming grant deadline: 05/15/2024
Betty Leacraft is a "shape shifter of textiles.” As a former teaching artist she specialized in and developed culturally inspired fiber/textile arts projects for under-resourced communities from 1989-2015. During that time she received residencies, led special projects and workshops in tri-state area universities, colleges, public schools, libraries, prisons, Senior Centers, Women's shelters, re-entry and substance abuse programs.
Her contemporary mixed media, fiber/textile art works have been exhibited regionally, nationally, and internationally. Selected venues include: International Quilt Convention Africa, (Johannesburg, South Africa); Dei Center for the Study of Contemporary Art (Ghana, West Africa); Museo de Arte Moderna (Bahia, Brazil); Leeway Foundation (PA), Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture (MD); National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center (OH); The Mint Museum of Craft and Design (NC); Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History (MI); Institute of Contemporary Art (PA); Smithsonian National Museum of Art Renwick Gallery (DC); Museum of the African Diaspora (CA); African American Museum of Philadelphia (PA), Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Perelman Galleries.
Curatorial Projects and Special Projects: Assistant Curator to Dindga Mc Cannon, "Generations 7: Reflections on the 'Isms,' - Racism, Sexism, Ageism," RUSH Galleries; Guest Curator, "Warm Spirits: Contemporary African American Quilters," African American Museum Philadelphia (2008); Co-curator with Julia Lopez, "Speaking In our Own Tongues: Latino and African American Artists, A New Beginning," Taller Puertorriqueño, Inc. (1992). Betty’s art works and community-based projects have appeared in independent and documentary films, contemporary art quilts are featured in five books authored by Dr. Carolyn L. Mazloomi, Founder of the Women of Color Quilters Network (WCQN). From 1980-86 Betty was employed by the Fabric Workshop Museum as the Construction Technician, securing special services, engineering sewn construction of artist proofs and limited editions for renowned artists-in-residence including Betye Saar, Moe Brooker, Rev. Howard Finster, Lenore Tawney.
Selected awards/honors, grants/residencies include: Joyce De Guatemala Scholarship, Brandywine Workshop and Archives; five Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grants, two Leeway Windows of Opportunity Awards, and the Leeway Transformation Award; Neighborhood Time Exchange Residency; Portrait of Excellence Award, William J. Harvey III, Malawi Memorial Mission; Gilbert Printing Services Award, Main Line Art Center; Thomas Aiken Encore Award, South Jersey Cultural Alliance; Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Residency Grants; Certificado, II Conferencia Nacional Dos Artistas, Bahia, Brazil.