About Leah

Leah Parkhurst is an art historian, surface designer and educator who started as a printed-textile designer, training at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Savannah College of Art and Design. Soon after graduation, from her dining room table, she founded Rustbelt Fiberwerks and sold some of her first products at farmer’s markets, craft fairs and, eventually, galleries. 

Leah took a short break from Rustbelt Fiberwerks to pursue other interests in the art community which solidified her passion for writing and research, which resulted in the development of The Limner Group, Stationery Bike and Dirty Art History. Leah’s quirky, non-fiction tales and functional textiles are presented with an exuberant, yet objective, view of the art world. With humor and slightly tarnished charm, Leah puts an emphasis on craftsmanship and quality design. 

However, it isn’t all work. Leah is also a devoted lover of genmaicha green tea with lemon, dark chocolate bars and cycling, but not necessarily all at the same time! Leah Parkhurst splits her time between a mid-century tri-level in Wisconsin and a small, but efficient, studio in Oregon.