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“Home Is Where The Art Is” – Peter Leeds – Studio Artist Showcase
“Home Is Where The Art Is”
Peter Leeds
Studio Artist Showcase
September 1 – October 27, 2025
Reception (in tandem with opening for “I’M SCARED TOO”): Friday, October 10, 2025 6-8PM
GALLERY HOURS: Mon – Fri 10AM – 4PM
Peter Leeds is a contemporary traditional painter based in Westchester, NY, whose work is rooted in realism and infused with heartfelt storytelling. Born and raised in suburban Long Island in the 1980s, Peter grew up in a blue-collar household where education, hard work, and family values shaped his life. His father, an elementary school teacher, and his mother, an emergency room nurse, surrounded him with adventure books of N.C. Wyeth and the art of Andrew Wyeth and Jamie Wyeth. These vivid images of pirates from ‘Treasure Island’, cloaked characters from ‘Robin Hood’, and pastoral landscapes sparked his imagination and inspired him to see art as a way to connect generations.
Peter earned his BFA from SUNY Cortland College and his MFA in anatomical drawing and figurative painting from the New York Academy of Art. He works in oil, watercolor, acrylic, and pencil, drawing on Old Masters’ techniques, literature, and nature to create a visual journal of his life. His personal art often centers on family and friends, capturing the romance of everyday moments with intimacy and depth.
In addition to his studio work, Peter is known for his large-scale mural commissions in Westchester and New York City. While his public projects are driven by clients, his private paintings remain deeply personal, reflecting his belief in the power of art to preserve shared experiences and strengthen bonds. You can also find him working part time at Captain Lawrence Brewing giving tours and promoting the newest beers in the market, another passion he has as a Beer Sommelier.
“My images,” Leeds says, “are a visual journal of a time in our life that is sometimes long gone.”
WHY BETHANY
Peter has been part of the Bethany Arts Community since 2019, where his journey has expanded far beyond his studio practice. “I’ve been brought into this amazing community not fully realizing how personally important it is for my journey in life,” he reflects. Within Bethany, he has been an instructor, student, mentor, guidance counselor, and even philosopher—roles that have deepened his art and his relationships.
As an instructor, he has taught Painting 101, Portrait from a Photo, Creative Drawing, and the Fundamentals of Anatomical Drawing. Peter takes special pride in hosting his monthly Drink and Draw sessions, which have fostered a culture of artistic camaraderie and creative exchange.
“Inspiring others inspires me the most,” he says. “Bethany has become a place where art is not just created, but shared, lived, and celebrated.”
Featured Image: “The Weight of Growing Between Childhood and Change” by Peter Leeds
