Leslie Pontz creates unique sculpture by crocheting wire and monofilament forms and combining them with iron and fiber elements. The result is non-traditional fiber sculpture that challenges the senses and the mind. Leslie holds a masters degree in printmaking from Syracuse University and was the recipient of two grants from the National Endowment for the Arts through the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts as an Artist-in-residence. She is the former owner/designer of Leslie Pontz Design, an international manufacturing company that produced an artist designed and hand printed line of table linens and related tabletop products.
Leslie has shown internationally in invitational and juried exhibits in Paris, Brazil and Venezuela as well as throughout the U.S. She is the recipient of several awards for her work. Leslie is a co-founder of ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick, a nationally acclaimed east coast venue for the exhibition of art quilts. At present, she is represented by the Gravers Lane Gallery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Her work is featured in many private and public collections including but not limited to the Kamm, Best Western, Chestnut Hill Hotel and Philadelphia Museum of Art collections.
[su_spoiler title=”selected exhibitions” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”chevron” anchor=”” class=””]
2022
14th International Textile and Fibre Art Biennial “Scythia”, Ivano-Frankivs’k, Ukraine
San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild Spring Exhibition, Online
DownEast National Indoor Sculpture Exhibition, Emerge Gallery, Greenville, NC
Material lll, The d’Art Center, Norfolk, VA
GoggleWorks 14th Annual Juried Exhibition, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Reading, PA
Installation, GLG at 1213 Walnut, Philadelphia, PA, Invited
Sin Rey Sin Ley, Next Steps, Si Gallery, Austin, TX
2019
De.lin.e.ate, Gravers Lane Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Basketry Now: 10th Anniversary Exhibition, National Basketry Organization, The Kentucky Museum, Bowling Green, KY
2018
Leslie Pontz: Discovery, Gravers Lane Gallery, Philadelphia, PA,
Leslie Pontz: Integrations, James A. Michener Museum, Doylestown, PA
Juried Craft Exhibition, Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington, DE
Achromatic, Barabra Crawford Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Silent Sentinels, Ann Street Gallery, Hudson Valley, NY
Material, d’art Center, Norfolk, VA
2017
Sense of Place, 2017, Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, Augusta, GA
Achromatic, Mt. Airy Garage, Philadelphia
Underbelly, Dab Art/H Gallery, Ventura, CA
Silent, Sentinals, Ann Street Gallery, Newburgh, NY
Expo 36, b.j. Spoke gallery, Huntington, NY
Line In Perception, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Leslie Pontz, Allens Lane Art Center, Philadelphia, PA
2016
Craft Forms 2016, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA
State of Suspension, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC
New Fibers 2016, Eastern Michigan University Gallery, Ypsilanti, MI
2015
From Where I Stand, uBe Art Gallery, Berkley, CA
From Every Fiber, Arts Council of Brazos Valley, College Station, TX
Abstract Catalyst, Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, Portland, OR
2014
Fiber Next, Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington DE
Dublin Biennial, by invitation, June 12- 22, 2014 Dublin Ireland
Leslie Pontz: Shaping Space: Leslie Pontz, Textile Center of Minnesota, March, 2014, Minneapolis, MN
2013
Fiber Optics, 1310 Gallery, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Restructure: Contrast and Balance, Waterwoks Visual Arts Center, Salisbury, NC
Kentucky National 2013, Clara M. Eagle Gallery, Murray State University, Murray KY
Window installation Gravers Lane Gallery, April, 2013, Philadelphia, PA
2012
American Craft Today, at The Bascom, Highland, NC
2011
Raw Beauty: A Sculpture Exhibit, Paul Robeson Gallery, Arts Council of Princeton, Princeton, NJ
2010
7th Annual International Fiber Biennial, Snyderman Works Galleries, Philadelphia PA
Gearheads, Clifford Gallery, Waterfall Arts, Belfast, ME
2009
Knitted, Knotted, Netted, Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton, NJ
The Museum Shop, Cameron Art Museum, Wilmington, NC
Connected: The Stitch, Cervinni Haas Gallery, Scottsdale, AR
Flower Power, Center For Maine Contemporary Art, Rockport, ME
Leslie Pontz, Philadelphia International Airport, International Terminal, Philadelphia, PA
2008
Uncommom Threads: Fiber Arts, Artmobile, Bucks County, PA
Borgenicht and Pontz: Collaboration Linking Metal and Clay, Crane Arts Building, Philadelphia, PA
Sixth Fiber Art Biennial, Snyderman Works Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Beyond Basketry 2008, The Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens, OH
Sculpting America, Museum of Art, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
Jump: The Synergy of Connection, The Lynn Tendler Bignelll Gallery, Brookfield Craft Center, Brookfield, CT
2007
On a Pedestal and Off the Wall, The Sculplture Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Silent Conversations, Craft Alliance, St. Louis, MO
Toxic Color, exit (a gallery space), Cleveland, OH
All Things Condsidered, National Basketry Organization Exhibition, Arrowmont School of Art and Craft, Gatlinburg, TN
Craven Arts Council Gallery’s 2007 Annual Juried Sculpture Show, Craven Art’s Council & Gallery, New Bern, NC
2006
Basket Invitational, Snyderman Works Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2006 International Fiber Biennial, Snyderman Works Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Leslie Pontz:Contrasts, Crocheted Metal Sculpture, Crafts For Living Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Dear Fleisher, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA
2005
Tribute To Fiber, Apex Gallery, Washington,DC
The Juried National Bead And Fiber Exhibit, The Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center, Frederick, MD
2004
Square, Carre, Cuardo, Sponsored by:Women in Textile Art Organization; Quinta Isabela Museum Valencia, Venezuela
Basket Invitational, Snyderman Works Gallery, Philadelphia, PA.
A Tribute to Fiber Art, Apex Gallery, Washinton, DC
Fiber Biennial 2004, Snyderman Works Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Window Installation of Flower Series, Snyderman Works Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2003
SoHo International Art Competition, Agora Gallery, NY, NY
14th National Juried Exhibition, Viridian Gallery, NY, NY
2002
Fiber Focus, Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, KY
The Cutting Edge, Arthur Ross Gallery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Survey Fiber 2002, Snyderman Works Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2001-2002
SOFA Chicago, Snyderman Works Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
1999-2004
ArtQuilts at the Sedgwick, Sedgwick Cultural Center, Philadelphia, PA
1991
Festival Du Lin, Paris, France
1985
Cabo Frio International Print Biennial, Embragel, Brazil
1978
Leslie Pontz, Gallery 500, Lafayette Hill, PA
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Sloane, Adrienne, Leslie Pontz: Blance Through Contrasts, Fiber Art Now, Fall, 2018
TPTMN: Video: An Interview With A Visiting Artist
World Of Threads Festival, Weekly Fibre Artist Interviews – Leslie Pontz: Philadelphia PA Interview 107
Kinsler, Gwen Blakley: The Fine Art of Crochet, (book) published by Author House 2013
Leslie Pontz: Featured Artist, NBO Quarterly Review, June, 2012
Leslie Pontz, Russell, Carol K. Fiber Art Today published by
Schiffer Publishing LTD, page 16, 19 and back cover
Leslie Pontz: National Basketry.org feature Summer 2012
Ruyak, Jacqueline, In Review: Knitted, Knotted, Netted, Surface Design Journal, Fall 2010
Genocchio, Benjamin, Where Fiber Art Meets Hot Fudge Sundae, The New York Times, January 8, 2010
Newhall, Edith, Galleries: Philadelphia’s Airport is a Gallery With Wings, Philadelphia Inquirer, June 21, 2009
Douglas, Leah: Philadelphia International Airport – Art & Exhibitions, online, May – October 2009
Zarro, Jennifer: Collaboration, Art Matters, April, 2008
Sharpe, Shannon: Zoom, Hot Spots, American Craft, April/May, 2008
Exhibition Catalog, Beyond Basketry, The Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens, Ohio 2008
Exhibition Catalog, Second Annual Juried Sculpture Show, The Craven Arts Council & Gallery New Bern, NC 2007
Exhibition Catalog, All Things Considered IV, National Basketry Organization, Inc 2007
Patterson, Sunita: Leslie Pontz’s Visual Vocabulary; FiberArts Magazine, September/October, 2006
Patterson, Sunita: Creative Process: Fiber Fun in Philadelphia, News and Notes; FiberArts Magazine, Summer, 2006
Exhibition DVD, Fiber Biennial 2006, Snyderman Works Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Exhibition Catalog, Women In Textile Art 2004, Museo De La Ciudad, Valencia, Venezuela
Exhibition Catalog, Survey Fiber 2002, Snyderman Works Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Sozanski, Edward: Quilts are Striking; Philadelphia Inquirer, April, 2002
Veshlage, Carolyn: The Fabric of Community; Expository Magazine, summer, 2002
CD ROM Exhibition Catalog, ArtQuilts At The Sedgwick 2003, Sedgwick Cultural Center, Philadelphia, PA
CD ROM Exhibition Catalog, ArtQuilts At The Sedgwick 2002, Sedgwick Cultural Center, Philadelphia, PA
CD ROM Exhibition Catalog, ArtQuilts At The Sedgwick 2001, Sedgwick Cultural Center, Philadelphia, PA
Rice, Robin: A View to a Quilt; Philadelphia City Paper, July, 2002
Dormant, Linda: Fiber Art Biennial; Art Matters, April, 2002
Veshlage, Carolyn: Creating a Nationally Respected Exhibition; SAQA Newsletter, Vol.12 #1
Veshlage, Carolyn: Growing an Art Quilt Exhibition; The Professional Quilter, Issue 77
Veshlage, Carolyn: Cactus Imagery: Leslie Pontz; The Quilting Community, March, 2003
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World Of Threads Festival, Weekly Fibre Artist Interviews – Leslie Pontz: Philadelphia PA Interview 107
Feature Artist: Leslie Pontz National Basketry, Summer 2012
Ruyak, Jacqueline, In Review: Knitted, Knotted, Netted, Surface Design Journal, Fall 2010
Genocchio, Benjamin, Where Fiber Art Meets Hot Fudge Sundae, The New York Times, January 8, 2010
Newhall, Edith, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Galleries: Philadelphia’s airport is a gallery with wings, June 21, 2009
Douglas, Leah: Philadelphia International Airport – Art & Exhibitions, online, May – October 2009
Flannery, Maura C. The Fabric of Life: Where Science Meets Art, Surface Design Journal, Summer 2008
Zarro, Jennifer: Collaboration, Art Matters, April, 2008
Patterson, Sunita: Leslie Pontz’s Visual Vocabulary; FiberArts Magazine, September/October, 2006
[/su_spoiler][su_spoiler title=”presentations” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”chevron” anchor=”” class=””]
Delaware Art Museum, January, 2019
Michener Art Museum, November and December, 2018
Allens Lane Art Center, January, 2017
University of the Arts, January, 2017
Wayne Art Center, 2016
Textile Center of MN, March, 2014
Delaware Art Museum, February, 2014
Hunterdon Museum, January 2010
Heart Strings Guild, January 2009
University of Southern Mississippi, January 2008
Crane Arts Building, Borgenicht and Pontz: Collaboration Linking Metal and Clay; Philadelphia, PA March, 2007
SOFA Chicago, November 2006
Crafts for Living Gallery, Leslie Pontz: Contrast, Philadelphia, PA, May 2006
DaVinci Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, April 2004
[/su_spoiler][su_spoiler title=”professional gallery affiliations” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”chevron” anchor=”” class=””]
Represented by Gravers Lane Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Represented by Boston Art Inc., Boston, MA
American Craft Council
Philadelphia Museum of Art
National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC: Archives of Women Artists-Library and Research Center
Saatchi Online
[/su_spoiler][su_spoiler title=”professional experience” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”chevron” anchor=”” class=””]
2006-2008 Taught crocheted metal sculpture, Water Fall Arts, Montville, ME, summer
1996-present Self-employed artist working in fiber and sculpture media
1984-1996 Owner/designer of Leslie Pontz, a company that manufactured artist designed and hand-printed table linens and related tabletop products sold internationally in upper end boutiques and department store i.e., ABC Carpet and Home, Bendels, Barneys, and Bergdorf Goodman
1979 Taught life drawing, Allens Lane Art Center, Philadelphia, PA
1977-1984 Self-employed artist working in the printmaking and painting media
1975-1977 Awarded National Endowment of the Arts grant by Pennsylvania Council on the Arts; Artist-in-Residence, Neshaminy, PA and Philadelphia, PA School Districts
1973 Instructor, Printmaking, Prints in Progress, Philadelphia, PA
1970-1972 Special Assistant to the Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts, Syracuse University
[/su_spoiler][su_spoiler title=”awards and collections” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”chevron” anchor=”” class=””]
Purchase: 2008, Full Purse, a collaborative piece with Ruth Borgenicht, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
Best in Show: 2008, Desert Contrast, Led By Thread, Torpedo Factory, Target Gallery, Alexandria, VA
Purchase: 2007, Teapot, The Kamm Collection
Third Place Award: 2007 New Bern Sculpture Show, Craven Arts Council and Gallery, New Bern, NC
Second Place Award: Third International Biennial: Women in Textile Art 2004
Festival Du Lin:
Invited to represent the United States in the category “manufacturers of linen products”
National Endowment of the Arts Artist-in-Residence Grant
awarded by Pennsylvania Council on the Arts in 1975 and 1976
[/su_spoiler][su_spoiler title=”educational experience” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”chevron” anchor=”” class=””]
1972 Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, College of Visual and Performing Arts | MFA (Printmaking)
1970 Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, College of Visual and Performing Arts | BFA (Printmaking and Painting)
1969 Syracuse University Semester Abroad, Florence, Italy
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