Leah’s film

Leah is a creative spirit, her hand crafted postcards to friends and commissioned book cover designs are intricately curated, bringing joy, surprise and inspiration to their viewers.

As a child, Leah Leaf decided that when she ‘grew up’ she wanted to be, "Either a clown, a writer, an artist, or a psychiatrist”. She’s had to fight to make space in her life for creative expression, and it’s a journey she’s still on, as an underrepresented voice in the artistic world, from a working class background with disabilities and previously a single parent, she continues the daily strive to connect, share and be heard.

Her tenacity along with a chance correspondence with writer David Rose, led to a collaboration on a book published by independent Manchester publisher Confingo Publishing. Leah created artwork for his short story collection, ‘Interpolated Stories’, and has continued freelance artistic commissions with Confingo Publishing, and Nightjar Press, creating cover design and interior artwork. 

She undertook a paid internship in Factory Academy, the adult education department of Factory International at Aviva Studios in Manchester, increasing her confidence and expanding her network. More recently she’s taken up the role of Culture Co-op’s Heywood Community Connector, coordinating a panel of local residents to co-produce and commission art and activities in her hometown as part of the Arts Council’s Creative People and Places project in Rochdale. She’s passionate about giving people opportunities to explore and find their own voice through creative expression.

“I think self expression is important for everyone, for people to have a voice and know that they matter.”

Find out more on Leah’s instagram