Gallery Talk: Polymer Clay as a Versatile Artists’ Medium

Polymer Clay as a Versatile Artists’ Medium with Lesley DeLia

Free Gallery Talk:  Tuesday, April 5 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.

Seating is limited! Click Here to Register in Advance

Join Lesley DeLia in the Art League’s Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery and learn about the versatility of polymer clay art in this free discussion.

Those interested in learning about polymer clay in a hands-on can way can register for her upcoming class at https://artleagueli.org/program/?program_id=57963

With the goal of recognizing the versatility of this medium, participants will learn about the characteristics, various products and brands, common techniques and methods, studio tools for getting started and resources for learning more about polymer clay. We will also view the work of some of the award winning polymer clay artists in the international polymer clay community as a source of inspiration.

Please bring a journal our sketch pad and something to write and/or draw with. Wear comfortable clothes.

About the Artist:
Before devoting full time to creating unique and aesthetic functional crafts and works of art, Lesley Magaril DeLia, the artisan behind “Down the Road Designs”, practiced law for over 35 years as a staff attorney and ultimately as the Executive Director of a Statewide public interest legal services program serving individuals struggling with mental health challenges.

She took her first painting class at the Art League of Long Island in the mid-1980s and subsequently studied painting privately with a local artist. During those years she reminded herself often that “down the road” she could someday retire and paint full time, satisfied that on her journey she had had used the power of the law to help make the world a better place. One day during these busy years juggling family and career, she became fascinated watching an accomplished polymer clay artist create a polymer clay cane. She left her friend’s studio that day with some spare clay and tools and started to experiment with polymer. She was immediately seduced by this remarkable, versatile medium and set to work to understand its behavior and all of its unique properties.

Lesley retired from the practice of law in 2014 and is finally “down the road”. She refers to her current work as “claynting” … painting with polymer clay.

Since 2015 she has been giving private lessons and leading workshops and classes to introduce others to this remarkable modern artists’ medium.

 

Pictured above is a clay on glass 9×11 “Claynting” from Lesley’s African Women Series titled “The Ladies” . This piece is inspired by her volunteer work in Tanzania. Learn how to support her project below.

Do a Good Deed
The first $1,000 of sales each year are donated to “A is for Africa”, a 501 (c)(3) supporting education in a
small Massai village in Tanzania where she has volunteered time with her husband, teaching computers
skills to teachers. When you buy a piece from Down the Road Designs you are helping to provide school
lunches and school supplies to eager students.
Explore the success of “A is for Africa http://www.aisforafrica.org/