Artist Biography
Originally from Caledonia, Michigan, Stephanie Leaver, a highly accomplished artist and photographer, currently calls Lakewood Ranch, Florida, home. In 2022, Stephanie graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Art from Western Michigan University's Gwen Frostic School of Art. Her deep engagement in both artistic and educational pursuits during her college years laid the foundation for her subsequent ventures.
Stephanie's collegiate journey was marked by consistent recognition in the academic realm, underscoring her unwavering dedication to her craft. She took great pride in her scholarly achievements, maintaining a consistent spot on the Dean's List at the Gwen Frostic School of Art at WMU. As a dedicated member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and the esteemed Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Stephanie remained deeply engaged in academic excellence. Navigating the collegiate landscape with determination, she secured scholarships that became essential fuel for her artistic pursuits.
Having graduated, Stephanie now serves as the sitting Vice President and an exhibiting artist at The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island, a founding artist at Gulf Coast Artists, a photography instructor at the Sarasota Photography Group, and is the proud founder of Stephanie Paige Photography LLC. Her artistic focus revolves around macro and nature photography, a reflection of her ardent commitment to capturing authenticity in every frame.
Her artistic influence transcends borders, earning acclaim both nationally and internationally. Stephanie's impressive showcase includes exhibitions, insightful interviews, prestigious awards, and noteworthy publications, leaving an enduring impact on diverse audiences worldwide.
Stephanie's diverse photography portfolio caters to families, newborns, local businesses, graduates, and individuals, showcasing her ability to authentically capture moments. Her talents extend to covering group events and documenting intimate moments of couples, adding a personal touch to her commercial work.
Beyond the realms of commercial photography, Stephanie's personal artistic pursuits delve into environmental themes, political and social issues, family history, and mental health awareness. Her work spans various mediums, including digital and traditional photography, videography, installation art, and mixed media. Drawing inspiration from Surrealism and BioArt, she remains closely attuned to the natural environment surrounding her. Stephanie's dedication to her craft and her artistic exploration of diverse themes make her a dynamic force in the world of photography and visual art.
Curriculum Vitae
Awards/Scholarships
2023-Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 40th Annual Juried Photo Contest - ‘The Birds and the Bees’ - Honorable Mention
2022-Western Michigan University’s The Hilltop Review’s “Best Artwork” Award
2021-Western Michigan University Carmer Art Scholarship
2021-Western Michigan University John Carney Enrichment Award
2020-Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 40th Annual Juried Photo Contest - ‘Birds, Bugs, Critters’ - Honorable Mention
2019-Western Michigan University Gwen Frostic Scholarship
2019-Scholastic Art Award West Central Region Michigan: Gold Key
2019-Scholastic Art Award West Central Region Michigan: Honorable Mention x2
2019-3rd District of Michigan Congressional Artfest Award
Publications
2023-Shoutout Michigan Magazine, Interview, November 28, 2023
2023-“Discover the Artist” media holding and Art Publications Network’s The Book of Arts: Extinction 2023
2022-Voyage Michigan Magazine, Interview, September 21, 2022
2022-“Discover the Artist” media holding and Art Publications Network’s The Book of Arts: Extinction 2022
2022-Western Michigan University’s The Hilltop Review. Volume 13 Issue 1
2022-Western Michigan University’s The Laureate. 20th Edition
2021-Western Michigan University’s The Laureate. 19th Edition
Solo Exhibitions
2023-Hive Mind, SoloS 7th International Solo Exhibition, Online Exhibition, Exhibizone, Ontario, Canada. Juried by select jury.
Group Exhibitions
2024-Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 44th Annual Juried Photographic Online Exhibition, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, FL. Juried by select jury.
2024-May Flowers Online Exhibition, HMVC Gallery New York, New York City, NY. Juried by select jury.
2024-Key Royale Golf Club in association with Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island (AGAMI), Holmes Beach, FL. Juried by AGAMI members & select jury.
2024-Earth Online Exhibition, Diversia, Ontario, Canada. Juried by select jury.
2024-New Beginnings Online Exhibition, Lioncourt Gallery, Indiana. Juried by select jury.
2023-Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 43rd Annual Juried Photographic Online Exhibition, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, FL. Juried by Olivia Braida-Chiusano, Christopher Jones, Stanton B., Nancy W. Kaplan, Keith Monda, John Pirman, & Walter Gilbert.
2023-EXTINCTION: Save the Planet 2023 Online Exhibition, Gallerium Art, Ontario, Canada. Juried by select jury.
2023-New Beginnings Online Exhibition, World Photo Club, Florida. Juried by David Akoubian.
2022-Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 42nd Annual Juried Photographic Online Exhibition, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, FL. Juried by Olivia Braida-Chiusano, Radiah Harper, Christopher Jones, Stanton B., Nancy W. Kaplan, Keith Monda, John Pirman, & Cliff Roles.
2022-Gallerium Art Prize 2022 Online Exhibition, Gallerium Art, Ontario, Canada. Juried by select jury.
2022-UN Calendar May 2022 Online Exhibition, Diversia, Ontario, Canada. Juried by select jury.
2022-EXTINCTION: Save the Planet 2022 Online Exhibition, Gallerium Art, Ontario, Canada. Juried by select jury.
2022-Annual Frostic School of Art Student Exhibition, Monroe-Brown Gallery, The Richmond Center for Visual Arts at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. Juried by Rehema C. Barber.
2021-Art Hop Student Show, James C. Westin Gallery, Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Juried by Bianca Washington.
2021-Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 41st Annual Juried Photographic Online Exhibition, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, Florida. Juried by Olivia Marie Braida-Chiusano, Christopher Jones, & John Pirman.
2021-Annual Frostic School of Art Student Online Exhibition, Monroe-Brown Gallery, The Richmond Center for Visual Arts at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. Juried by Tyanna Buie.
2021-Eyes on Ukraine, Mind on America, Western Michigan University Frostic School of Art Digital Photography 1 and Photo Workshop Undergraduate Student Exhibition, Monroe-Brown Gallery, The Richmond Center for Visual Arts at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. Juried by Jack Toolin & Amanda Weiss.
2021-5th Annual National Undergraduate Juried Exhibition, Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, St. Joseph, MO. Juried by MWSU & AKMA experts.
2020-Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 40th Annual Juried Photographic Online Exhibition, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, Florida. Juried by select jury.
2020-Annual Frostic School of Art Student Online Exhibition, Monroe-Brown Gallery, The Richmond Center for Visual Arts at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. Juried by Naomi van Niekerk.
2019-2020-Art Exhibition Wall, Office for Sustainability at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI.