Leilah Hodges is an artist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is currently completing her BA in Studio Arts at UC Santa Cruz with a focus on illustration and animation. Her work is currently on view at the Society of Illustrators gallery in New York City, where she received the 2025 Jason Polan Scholarship Award.

Storytelling is central to Leilah’s practice. Since childhood, she’s been drawn to the quiet details in art that bring characters and worlds to life. This sensitivity to narrative now drives her exploration of identity, culture, and history through visual media.

Drawing inspiration from her family history and community, Leilah creates work that encourages curiosity, challenges assumptions, and deepens connection. Through zines, illustrations, and character-driven animation, she invites viewers to look closer and engage with the everyday moments that hold deeper meaning.

As she continues to grow her practice, Leilah is excited to pursue projects that blend personal storytelling with collaborative work. She hopes to contribute to more inclusive conversations in the arts and build work that resonates across communities. Outside of her practice she loves to travel, visit new cafes, and spend time in the kitchen baking!