Leon Sevier
Leon Sevier was born in Circle, MT, in the mid twentieth century, moving to Glendive, MT when he was six, and where he currently resides. He graduated from the local schools, Washington and DCHS, and received an Associate of Arts Degree from Dawson Community College. He transferred to Bozeman, MT, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and a Master of Science in Business Education from Montana State University.
Leon then began his professional career as a business education instructor at DCHS in Glendive, retiring after 28 years. He still substitute teaches at DCHS.
While teaching at DCHS, Gene Fixmer, art instructor, introduced Leon to leather tooling and stamping. His first projects were a belt for himself and then a bowling bag for his wife for Christmas. When that was completed, he put leather work aside, as he was busy with family, teaching and playing guitar in a local band.
After retirement, Leon promised his wife not to become a couch potato, so he blew the dust off his leather tools and again took up leather tooling and stamping. While at a leather trade show in Sheridan, WY, he discovered wet formed jewelry. He made some Calla Lily and Prairie Rose pins and earrings, and went to his first craft show in Medora, ND. He was hooked! he currently constructs address books, billfolds, belts, checkbook covers, wet formed jewelry and flowers, money clips, wallets, etc., and has now branched into embossed carved pictures. Outlets for Leon's work are craft shows and The Gallery in Glendive, MT.
Leon has attended two International Federation of Leather Guilds shows in Bismarck, ND and Denver Co. He has participated in workshops presented by well-known leather artists - Robb Barr, Robert Beard, Clinton Fay, Bill Gomer, George Hurst, Tony Laier, Jim Linnell, Peter Main, Darwin Ohlerking, Jan Schoonover, Lisa Sky Horse and Cheryl Smeja.