Meet Cara Leepson | Arts Administrator, Curator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cara Leepson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cara, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
A career in the arts was never really NOT an option for me. From a very early age, I was drawn to artistic practice. This was partially because my mother is an artist who encouraged me to explore creative concepts and ideas in the everyday. As a kid and teenager, journaling, collaging and photography allowed me to expand my mindset while I challenged myself to view the the world through an artistic lens. As I began my undergraduate studies, I found my conceptual art making skills to take a back seat and my analytical skillset to take control. Eventually, I abandoned my personal art-making and transitioned my focus into curatorial research and developing opportunities to uplift artists and their creative practices. In my graduate studies, I coined the mantra “every artist needs an art administrator” – and I am happy to serve that role.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
After graduating with my undergraduate degree, I thought I immediately wanted to go to grad school but life had other plans for me. Instead, I ended up spending a year in Charleston, S.C. and took an internship at a non-profit arts organization called Redux Contemporary Art Center. I went on to graduate school in Washington DC and subsequently spent my studies, and the next 8 years of my professional experience working toward the goal of one day running Redux. Flash forward to today, I’m four, going on five years as the Executive Director of Redux and working every day to provide opportunities for artists and arts appreciators to experience and educate themselves with contemporary art and contemporary art practice.

Dedication and passion brought me here, but it wasn’t without struggles and successes. I remained focused and committed to my goals and career path and never gave up shooting high.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Charleston Pour House for some live music, Redux Contemporary Art Center for some incredible contemporary art, Chubby Fish for the best meal of your life, Folly Beach for the waves and some weirdness, Bowen’s Island for some steamed oysters and views for days, Rockville for the dreamy Lowcountry vibe, and any Kate Counts yoga or work out class for a mind, body, and soul reset.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Transformer, a non-profit arts organization in Washington D.C. Redux Contemporary Art Center, a non-profit arts organzation in Charleston, S.C. (where I am currently Executive Director)

Website: reduxstudios.org

Instagram: reduxartcenter

Image Credits
Headshot – Nickie Stone Gallery Shot – Karson Photography