Regional Artists - Leo Dwyer

Calabash, NC

Leo Dwyer

mixed media

Leo Dwyer is a retired career Army officer who recently moved to Calabash, NC from the Boston area. Following his military service, he was executive director at several Boston law firms.

As a former artilleryman, Leo spent much of his time in Oklahoma. It was here that good friends introduced him to John Hernandez, executive director of The Museum of The Great Plains in Lawton, OK. John had developed an art form that married Cherokee gourd crafting with Seminole-style stitching longleaf pine needles together using sinew (formerly natural; today artificial). The result creates stunning pieces that resemble pottery more than gourds.

Leo has entered his work in several juried art shows in New England and has earned a number of first prize awards in the mixed media category. He also enjoys conducting seminars and classes sharing his art form with others.

Today he spends as much time on the links as he can when not creating gourd art.