Last updated: December 16, 2020
Article
Doris Leeper
NPS/Photo: photo courtesy Atlantic Center for the Arts
A resident of New Smyrna Beach since 1958, the late Doris “Doc” Leeper’s lifelong interest in the relationship of natural and built environments has created three testimonials to her vision – Canaveral National Seashore, the Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve, and the Atlantic Center for the Arts, an artist community responsible for giving New Smyrna Beach an international arts reputation. In 1999, she was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, the highest and most prestigious cultural honor that can be bestowed upon an individual in the State of Florida.
Born on April 4, 1929 Doc graduated from Duke University in 1951 with a degree in art history and eventually earned an honorary doctorate. Until the mid 60’s she lived off a small income of $3,000 a year selling paintings periodically to supplement her income.
After moving to Eldora she began creating non-representational art in her newly built art studio/guest house located on her beachside property. She enjoyed having guests over and playing tennis at her tennis court. The tennis court asphalt remnants are still present on the historic property.
Doris lived with two great danes in pure solitude. She didn’t however live a lonely life throwing parties at her home that often had business undertones. She was constantly engaged in community relations and worked to raise money for her Atlantic Center for the Arts vision that she shared with others. Art and politics were quite intertwined.
She slowly made a name for herself. Doris was commissioned to create large modern sculptures which are displayed throughout the country by various businesses, museums and private collectors. One such commission known as the “Steel Quilt” is displayed at the Orlando International Airport.
In 1961 John D. MacArthur one of the richest men in the world at that time purchased 5 miles of land just south of Leeper’s beachside residence. MacArthur for a period of time owned the largest portion of land throughout the state of Florida at 100,000 acres. His intention was to develop this property with portions being ocean front the majority of which was in Palm Beach.
Doris was concerned of the possibility of a bridge being constructed to reach this future development. In the 1960’s she was a force within the newly formed Friends of Canaveral that sought to keep the land preserved. She participated until Canaveral National Seashore was established in 1975. She was likely given a lifetime lease or payment for her property by the federal government.
NPS/Photo courtesy ACA
Soon after Doris sought for the same peaceful tranquility by the waters edge for the purpose of creating her art. This lead her to a 67 acre property on Turnbull Bay.
"We said if we could arrange to get some waterfront somewhere, and keep the natural environment, and do everything we could not to disturb the environment, the wonderful sense that I had at my place there could be transferred to the center, and, in fact, that's what happened...The model for the Atlantic Center in spirit was my place down at Canaveral National Seashore," - Doris Leeper
The center was designed to leave a minimalistic footprint and blends in with the environment. The properties themselves are only built on 10 acres of the 67 acres. She initiated the Friends of Spruce Creek which created the Spruce Creek Preserve adjacent to the Atlantic Center for the Arts that she established. After her passing in 2,000 the Spruce Creek Preserve was renamed the Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve.
Doris suggested in one interview to put on her epitaph, “Doris Leeper: Never Lazy”. Later in her life she was known for working on as many as half a dozen projects at a time. She even got to a point where she contemplated turning requests down. Her passion for her art definitely attracted many. With her sculptures she was able to create works of art that were completely open for interpretation. Many eventually came without a title so as not to limit the viewers own interpretations of the art. She often had the viewers in mind when creating her pieces. Art with open interpretation may have been the major selling point for many museums and businesses who ultimately placed these sculptures in there gardens or entryways.
Some adjectives people have used to describe her are “visionary, an awesome force, persuasive, talented, strong, focused, a great artist, and a great free-thinker.” Her focus, strength and free-thinking helped her create major works of art and would be the legacy that she valued. To quote Doris, “If I had my druthers, I would rather be known as an artist”.
The beauty and solace of nature are also her legacy for future generations to enjoy and explore here at Canaveral National Seashore. Canaveral National Seashore was authorized as a unit of the National Park Service on January, 3rd 1975. It was through efforts of concerned citizens such as Doris Leeper that it is now preserved and protected for future generations.
Resources:
About John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2020, from https://www.macfound.org/about/our-history/about-the-macarthurs/
Florida Frontiers: Artist Was a Visionary Environmentalist. (2014, July 7). Retrieved November 11, 2020, from . https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2014/07/07/florida-frontiers-artist-visionary-environmentalist/12325023/
Norman, N. L. (2016). Doris Leeper: Legacy of a visionary. Cocoa, FL: Florida Historical Society Press.
Parker, S. R. (2008). Canaveral National Seashore Historic Resource Study. Atlanta, GA: Cultural Resources Division, Southeast Regional Office, National Park Service.
