After receiving her BFA from Alfred University in 1992 Leslie Speicher traveled the country finally choosing Seattle, WA as her home. During her seven years there she focused on her glasswork, teaching at Pratt Fine Arts Center and assisting and studying with local and international glass artists. During this time she was a TA and AA at Pilchuck Glass School, Instructor at Urban Glass in Brooklyn, NY and Red Deer College in Alberta, CA. Residencies include Urban Glass, Hastings College and Pratt Fine Arts Center. Leslie has shown her glasswork, sculptures and installations in Seattle, NYC, Miami, Philadelphia and Chicago. Publications include International Glass Art; Richard Yelle, author.

She then decided to return to school to get her Masters so she could teach at the college level. In 2004, she received her MFA from the University of Illinois. Her teaching career took her first to the University of Miami where she taught 3D Design. Leslie then taught at the Cleveland Institute of Art as an Adjunct in the Glass Department before moving to Chicago, IL after her solo show at the Museum of Surgical Science in 2006.

No matter what she is making her aspiration is to create pieces with unique character, which are thought-provoking and visually pleasing. Leslie’s interest in exploring materials leads her to create narratives between design, texture, form and color. Every piece is one-of-a-kind, designed and handcrafted by the artist.

Leslie is the owner of Chicago Glass Collective in Chicago, IL where she also teaches and makes her work.