About Dre

Using repurposed, vintage, and rescued textiles, I create works that challenge the traditional notion of quilting and invite viewers to interpret meaning based on their own emotional response to the works.​

My work is rooted in the Appalachian quilting tradition of my upbringing. And in the tradition of Appalachian quilts, they are made from repurposed materials. The use of textiles and appliqué create a bold and graphic quality to the work and I use symbolism as a storytelling and narrative tool. This work focuses on geometric and architectural shapes that symbolize another dimension where emotions live in-between the moments we experience them.

Dre McLeod is a contemporary fiber artist based in Columbus, Ohio. Hailing from Appalachia, her artistic journey is rooted in the rich quilting tradition passed down by her foremothers.  She earned her BFA in Fashion Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2008, where her passion for fiber arts continued to bloom.  She began working with only repurposed fabric in 2011.

Dre’s work evolved from quilting to fine art appliqué tapestries in 2019. Her subject matter is often ornate, architectural, and colorful and the work deals with internal emotions.

Dre was the recipient of the 2023 Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award and her work has been showcased in West Virginia, Ohio, Georgia, California, and France.