Installation Artist, Textile Sculptor, Educator
Chicago, IL
www.justindouganleblanc.com
studio@justindouganleblanc.com
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2026–2027
Worn Silence, Linda K. Jordan Gallery, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC
2025
Background Noise: Reframing Perception, Dyer Arts Center, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY (expanded from Background Noise, Facility Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2023–2024)
2023
Retrospective: Soundwaves, Dyer Arts Center, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
2019–2020
Probable Normal Hearing, Contemporary Art Museum Raleigh, Raleigh, NC
Selected Group Exhibitions
2026–2027
Costume Art, The Costume Institute, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Work featured in the exhibition catalogue and selected for official exhibition merchandise through The Met Store.2025
The Face Magazine Issue Release, Charlotte, NC
2024
Voice Embodied II, Design Museum Chicago, Chicago, IL
Curator: Alex Stark
2024
Chicago Fashion Week, Selected Designer, Chicago, IL
2023
Ear Dysphoric, Warmhug Gallery, Chicago, IL
2023
Queering the Crip, Cripping the Queer, Schwules Museum, Berlin, Germany
Curators: Kenny Fries, Birgit Bosold, Kate Brehme
2021
Voice Embodied, Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, IL
Collections
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Schwules Museum, Berlin, Germany
Private collections in the United States and Europe
Residencies
2025
Slough Farm Artist Residency, Martha’s Vineyard, MA
2023
Ragdale Residency, Lake Forest, IL
2022
Foundation House Residency, Greenwich, CT
Selected Awards & Honors
2025
Guy Wonder Deaf Artist of the Year
2023
DEI Faculty Achievement of the Year Award
2016
The Advocate, 40 Under 40
2013
Project Runway, Season 12 Finalist
Selected Lectures & Presentations
2025
Chicago Humanities Festival, Moderator
2025
“The Role of the Disabled Artist in the Polycrisis,” Medical Anthropology Europe Conference, Vienna
2024
“Future of Fashion Design through Technology and Accessibility,” Gallaudet University, Washington, DC
2024
“Your Stories Are Your Power,” Imagination Texas, Fort Worth, TX
2021
Cripping Style, Panelist, Columbia College Chicago
Selected Press
Wallpaper* — “The Met’s ‘Costume Art’ Exhibition Explores Fashion and the Dressed Body” (2026)
Scholastic Art — Ordinary / Extraordinary (2025)
Columbia College News — “Justin Dougan-LeBlanc on Inclusion, Innovation, and the Future of Fashion” (2025)
Business of Fashion — “Rewiring Fashion Education for Today” (2020)
Walter Magazine — “Project Runway’s Justin LeBlanc Returns Home for a Solo Show at CAM” (2019)
The Advocate — “40 Under 40: Justin LeBlanc Fights for the Deaf, One Garment at a Time” (2016)
USA Today — “This ‘Project Runway All Stars’ Challenge Suits Justin LeBlanc” (2015, print)
Chicago Tribune — “Project Runway Real Talk With Justin LeBlanc” (2013)
Vulture — “How Project Runway Is Getting Deafness Right” (2013)
Academic Appointments
2018–Present
Professor, School of Fashion, Columbia College Chicago
2018–Present
Visiting Instructor, Bath Spa University
2013–2018
Assistant Professor, Fiber Art & Design, North Carolina State University
2013–2016
Guest Lecturer, Graduate Textiles, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Professional Experience
Nick Cave Studio, Studio Assistant (2009–2012)
Alexander McQueen Design Studio, Studio Assistant, Womenswear and Footwear (2010)
Swarovski, Design Installation Assistant (2012)
Education
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Master of Design, Fashion, Body & Garment
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Fashion, Body & Garment
North Carolina State University
Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture