About

Leslie Yolen earned her B.F.A. from Bennington College and an M.S. in Visual Arts Education from the College of Saint Rose. She recently retired from her position as the Arts Education Associate for the New York State Education Department’s Office of Curriculum & Instruction, where she provided statewide leadership in relation to the implementation of the NYS Learning Standards for the Arts, supporting arts teachers, administrators and students across the state. Prior to working with NYSED, Leslie taught Visual Art in the public schools, focusing on curriculum development, instructional planning, and professional development for arts teachers.

Her recent exhibitions include ‘Connections’, a two person show at the Lake George Arts Project; a solo show at Carey Institute for Global Good in Rensselaerville, NY, and “Great Places and Spaces”, Albany Center Gallery’s satellite exhibit at the New York State Museum, Albany NY.  She lives and works in rural Albany County, NY.

Leslie has worked predominantly in clay until recently, when encaustics became her favored medium. She finds her process of encaustic painting, (beeswax and tree resin mixed with pigments) similar to the additive and subtractive processes of working with clay. Her paintings on wood panels are created using brushes, torches, knives, and scraping tools.