Biography
Lea Colie Wight was born in Philadelphia, Pa in 1951. She earned a BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1974. In 2003 Lea discovered Studio Incamminati, a small intensive Atelier founded in Philadelphia by world renowned artist Nelson Shanks and entered as a student. Lea flourished in the environment of rigorous study under the attention of Nelson Shanks and the other top realist painters instructing at the school. In 2005 Lea was invited to join the teaching staff rising to become one of the lead teachers at that school. Lea periodically serves as teaching assistant to Nelson Shanks at the Art Students League on New York and has served as lead instructor for various Studio Incamminati workshops.
Lea maintains a studio in Manasquan, New Jersey as well as at Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia.

SPRING 2009 -
Lea's painting "Waiting" was selected as one of the 15 finalists paintings that were juried for the top awards at the 2009 Portrait Society of America annual convention. The painting was selected from over 1,300 entries to this years competition and was awarded an Honor Award.
"Morning" was awarded 3rd place at the 2009 Salon International exhibit at Greenhouse Gallery, Texas.
"Breakfast News" has been juried into the prestigious Salmagundi Club's annual non-member show in NYC this June. Update: "Morning" has been awarded the Art Times award.
Lea is featured artist in American Artist magazine, November 2009

Selected Exhibitions & Competitions

2009 Portrait Society of America annual Portrait Competition, top 15 finalist
2009 F.A.N. Gallery, Philadelphia, Group Show
2009 Salon International - Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio Texas, 3rd Place and Honorable Mention, Daniel Green, Juror
2009 The Ambassador's Show: Portrait Society of America, Bernardsville, NJ
2008 Solo Show "Beyond Classical Realism: Paintings of Light and Color" Georgian Court University
2008 Drawing Magazine, Finalist Cover Competition
2008 Studio 21 Gallery, "The Art of Drawing", Charlotte NC
2008 International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art Salon, Green House Gallery, Texas
2007, 2006, 2005 American Red Cross Benefit Show, Princeton, NJ
2006 Mastery and Meaning: Nelson Shanks with Studio Incamminati Instructors, The Union League,
Philadelphia
2006 The Art Students League of New York
2005 The Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club Annual Juried Exhibition
2004 Daylesford Abbey, Paoli, Pa
2003 NJ American Artist’s Professional League Juried Show
2002 Ocean County Artists Association Print Media Exhibition
2002 Art Alliance Annual NJ State Juried Exhibition
2001 Guild of Creative Art, Shrewsbury NJ Juried Exhibition

Teaching
2005 to present - Instructor Core Program, Studio Incamminati, Philadelphia, PA
2005 to present - Instructor, Studio Incamminati Advanced and Intensive Workshops
The Art Students League, New York City, teaching assistant to Nelson Shanks

Bibliography
American Artist Magazine, November 2009 featured artist
"Lea Colie Wight - Painting What You See at a Glance"
American Artist Drawing Magazine Summer 2008
American Artist Drawing Magazine, Fall, 2007, “Top Drawing Schools & Ateliers”
The Art Students League of New York, 2006-2007 catalog
Broad Street Review, Philadelphia, November 2006
American Artist Workshop Magazine, Winter 2005
The Art Renewal Center web site – Ateliers

Education
BFA Minneapolis College of Art and Design 1074
Printmaking, Georgian Court College, 2000
Studio Incamminati, Philadelphia Pa, 2004 - present