Doris Leeper

Modern Marvel

March 7 - 28, 2026
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 7, 4 - 7 PM
In the Foyer Gallery

About the Exhibition:

This tribute exhibition honors Doris “Doc” Leeper, founder of Arts on Douglas, artist, environmental advocate and cultural visionary whose impact on Florida’s arts landscape is immeasurable.

Before founding Arts on Douglas, Leeper was already a prominent figure in the arts and environmental preservation. She played a key role in the grassroots effort that led to the national park designation of Canaveral National Seashore, preserving miles of undeveloped coastline for future generations. She also founded the Atlantic Center for the Arts, now an internationally respected artist residency that attracts creatives worldwide to New Smyrna Beach.

Recognizing the need for a professional exhibition space for Florida artists, Leeper purchased a historic building at the corner of Magnolia and Douglas in early 1995. She partnered with her friend and fellow artist Ed Harris, who served as benefactor and business partner on this new venture. Leeper then selected the original 24 artists who would exhibit in solo and group exhibitions for the first 2 years.

Shortly after graduating college, Meghan Martin was hired to manage the gallery and worked closely with Leeper, Harris, and the founding artists to launch and grow the organization.  Arts on Douglas officially opened in February 1996. Thirty years later, Martin continues to advance Leeper’s vision.

When asked about this tribute exhibition, Martin explains, “Leeper managed to balance an extraordinary civic legacy with a rigorous studio practice.  She was a nationally recognized artist, and I felt that the best way to honor our founder was to showcase selections of work from her various points in her career.”

This display features rarely seen works from the mid-1950s through the late 1990s, tracing Leeper’s evolution from textured compositions with rudimentary shapes to her increasingly simplified compositions defined by strong geometry and luminous color as well as the bold geometric and spherical sculptures forms that became her signature style.