ST. BONAVENTURE — The rich artistic legacy of Léone Elizabeth Worden, a beloved Olean-area artist and community figure, will be honored with a special exhibition opening during Reunion Weekend 2025, June 6-8, at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure University.
Worden (b. 1907, St. Paul, Minn.; d. 1999, Olean) was known for her vibrant plein-air landscapes and evocative still-life works, created between the 1930s and early 1960s. The exhibit will showcase a wide array of her artistic expressions, ranging from graphite and charcoal sketches to pastels, watercolors, and oils. Many of the pieces on display reflect her deep connection to rural Western New York, where she often painted while exploring the countryside with her husband, St. Bonaventure biology professor Dr. John L. Worden, and fellow local artists.
“Supporting alumni through the arts isn’t just about showcasing talent — it’s about honoring the journeys that began here,” Paula Bernstein, assistant director of the Quick Center for the Arts, said. “When we uplift alumni artists, we strengthen the bond between past and present, and affirm that creativity, like community, is a lifelong legacy of St. Bonaventure and the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.”
In addition to painting, Worden was deeply engaged in ceramics, jewelry and quilting. She also served as a longtime member of the Art Department of the Olean Little Theatre Guild. Her work demonstrates a keen eye for the region’s architectural and natural beauty, drawing viewers into sensitive compositions that reflect both cultural and environmental familiarity. The exhibition also features contemplative still-life paintings of domestic scenes, offering an intimate glimpse into her life and surroundings.
Worden’s artistic journey began in St. Paul, where she studied at the Convent of the Visitation School and later the Minneapolis School of Art (now the Minneapolis College of Art and Design). She worked as an interior decorator before moving to Olean in 1934, where she became a vital member of the university and local arts communities, contributing illustrations to academic publications and volunteering extensively in civic and religious organizations.
The exhibit opening reception will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7, and will include a gallery talk at 1 p.m. The works will be on display in the second floor Mezzanine Gallery through August 8.
Summer hours for the Quick Center galleries are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, beginning June 1. Admission is free and open to the public.
This exhibition is one of many special events celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. For a full schedule of anniversary events, visit sbu.edu/qca-anniversary. To learn more about the Quick Center’s exhibitions and programs, visit www.sbu.edu/QuickCenter.
