About | Leanne Fortney

My Background

Hello, I'm Leanne Fortney—an artist, mother, nurturer, gardener, and lifelong learner. Some even call me a unicorn. My passion lies in advocating for those who need a voice. I believe in becoming a driving force for change in our generation by embracing the vision of a healed, thriving planet filled with hope.

With deep roots in helping others grow and expand, I embrace change, even when it challenges traditional norms. Life has taught me the value of perseverance. No matter how often I stumble or how big my fears become, I will keep moving forward.

In the end, to see the change I envision, I know I must first become that change, welcoming the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

My Character

Being an artist is an ever-evolving journey. My artwork shifts and morphs, just as I do, with each collection offering a glimpse into my life. I’m fascinated by people—their habits, patterns, and the narratives they choose to share with the world. This applies to me as well.

I find myself balanced between my masculine and feminine energies, rooted in my desire to support those I love while also nurturing, creating, and expressing that love. Below are my top four character strengths that I strive to reflect in my work.

Love of Humor

Love of Learning

Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other people; seeing the light side; making (no necessarily telling) jokes.

Mastering new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge, whether on one's own or formally; related to the strength of curiosity but goes beyond it to describe the tendency to add systematically to what one knows.

Love of Fairness

Treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and justice; not letting feelings bias decisions about others; giving everyone a fair chance.

Love of Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence

Noticing and appreciating beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in various domains of life, from nature to art to mathematics to science to everyday experience.

My Education

May 2013

Bachelors of Art in Art History

University of Delaware

My bachelor's degree program focused on the study of American art history.

"The Department of Art History at the University of Delaware is dedicated to education and research in the history of the visual arts. Internationally recognized for their authoritative and often groundbreaking scholarship, our faculty members are equally dedicated to teaching, having garnered accolades and awards both within and beyond the University community."

My Experience

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Group Exhibitions

Washington County Arts Council, Hagerstown, Maryland
Annual Community Art Show: The Best Local Art of 2025
December 4, 2025 - January 13, 2026
Washington County Fine Arts Museum, Hagerstown, Maryland
2025 Cumberland Valley Artists
November 8, 2025 – April 26, 2026
Artspiration, Frederick, Maryland
Women Artists of the DMV
November 1, 2025 – January 4, 2026
The Ven at Embassy Row,
aVENues of connection Gallery, Washington, D.C.
International Women's Art Exhibition
February 7 – March 29, 2025
Hill Center Galleries, Washington, D.C.
2025 Regional Juried Exhibition
January 15 – May 3, 2025
Maryland Art Place (MAP), Baltimore, Maryland
Out of Order Online
June 19 – July 6, 2020
The Athenaeum (Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association), Alexandria, Virginia
Doodles of These Times
April 2 – June 10, 2020
Shenandoah Valley Art Center, Waynesboro, VA
40Under40 Exhibition
March 1 – 30, 2019

Publications

Hedge Apple Literary Magazine
Hagerstown Community College
Spring 2025
Hedge Apple Literary Magazine
Hagerstown Community College
Spring 2021

Leanne Fortney