Dawn Leigh
San Francisco, CA
Artist and storyteller crafting fine art collages from recycled materials, inspired by marine life, ecology, and collective memory.
Message
Dawn Leigh is a San Francisco–based mixed-media artist whose work bridges storytelling, ecology, and cultural memory. Through her studio practice, she repurposes recycled paper, magazines, packaging, and found textures into layered fine art collages that invite viewers to pause, look closer, and uncover the hidden narratives within each piece.
Her current body of work, Tide Keepers, explores endangered marine species and fragile ecosystems, reflecting a deep commitment to ocean conservation and environmental storytelling. By transforming discarded materials into new forms of beauty, Dawn highlights the interconnectedness between human consumption, memory, and the natural world.
Dawn’s work has been recognized internationally, including her participation in the UNESCO-endorsed Ocean III Virtual Art Residency and selection as a finalist in juried exhibitions such as Echo | Passage | Tide. Locally, she has exhibited with Covet Art Gallery and is actively engaged in San Francisco’s vibrant arts community.
In addition to her studio practice, Dawn is the founder of Dawn Leigh Creations and creator of Joyous Mermaid Mercantile, where she curates unique, ocean-inspired art and design. With over a decade of experience in arts communications and community engagement, she brings a strong dedication to building inclusive platforms and fostering meaningful relationships with collectors.
Her work is held in private collections and continues to resonate with those who value art that is both visually compelling and deeply purposeful.
Statement
My work begins with what others discard. I collect fragments of magazines, packaging, and found paper — remnants of daily life that carry unseen histories. Layer by layer, these materials transform into intricate collages that mirror the complexity of memory, ecology, and human connection.
The ocean is my constant muse. Through my Tide Keepers series, I explore endangered marine species and fragile ecosystems, creating portraits that are both a call to attention and an invitation to wonder. Each piece reflects my belief that art can hold space for beauty and urgency at the same time — reminding us of what is precious, threatened, and worth protecting.
As an artist, I seek to create work that slows people down. My collages ask viewers to step closer, to see how individual fragments weave into a larger whole, and to consider their own role in the interconnectedness of life. By turning waste into art, I hope to inspire a shift in perspective—one where resilience, reverence, and responsibility coexist.