Kevin Lehman, the founder and director of the Lancaster Creative Factory, has always enjoyed the creative process, most notably the way it evolves. That’s especially evident at the home he shares with Stacy Martin, where his creativity is a perfect match with her horticultural expertise.
What had been a catchall space that was defined by an expanse of grass and a cutting garden has been transformed into a shady sitting area that features a stone patio, a water garden, a firepit, a greenhouse, a revolving display of floral color and Kevin’s art that ranges from a large installation to the side table and plant containers.
Kevin recognized his creative calling early on. As a sixth grader in the Eastern Lancaster County School District, he was given the opportunity to work on a pottery wheel by his art teacher, Steve Lewis. “Well, I’m doing that!” he remembers of making the instantaneous decision about the direction his life would take from a career perspective. He furthered those plans by taking art classes at Garden Spot High School, where any spare moments he had during the school day would be spent working on pottery projects. Kevin’s next stop was Millersville University, followed by the University of the Arts (Philadelphia), where he earned his Master of Fine Arts degree. In 2002, he leased the former Posey Iron Works facility from Lancaster City and launched Kevin Lehman Pottery.
Lancaster Creative Factory
Kevin’s ever-expanding creative pursuits and a growing connection to the community prompted him to refocus the mission of Kevin Lehman Pottery, which relaunched in 2009 as Lancaster Creative Factory. The goal was to “cultivate creativity” and utilize it to “encourage problem-solving, connection, and transformation” with the ultimate goal being “a happy, healthy community.” The repertoire of classes extended to pottery, ceramics, glass and painting. A gallery showcases the work of on-site artisans.
Kevin began creating the tree while studying in Philadelphia. He later added glass branches to it. The tree stood in the late Jim Showers’ garden until three years ago, at which time Kevin updated it with more glass and placed it on his property.
Community connections are established on the local level as well as further afield. For example, in April, Lancaster Creative Factory once again was the site of the Empty Bowls event for which area artisans create hundreds of bowls that are then selected (as keepsakes) by guests to hold soup and other items donated by local restaurants. The international initiative, whose goal is to fight hunger issues, operates on a local level through events such as the one that was held at Lancaster Creative Factory, with proceeds benefiting Meals on Wheels of Lancaster.
Workshops bring in creative talents from other areas. Next month, Sarah Wells Rolland, of Ashville, North Carolina, will be in Lancaster to conduct workshops on June 7 and 8. She is the owner of Village Pottery, which was destroyed by Hurricane Helene last fall. Proceeds from the workshops will help to support ongoing relief efforts in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.
Kevin is particularly proud of the work Lancaster Creative Factory carries out with the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center, which oversees detention and shelter programs as part of the youth justice system. The Center’s mission to provide detainees and unsheltered youths with a secure, safe and structured environment extends to programs such as Lancaster Creative Factory’s award-winning ArtSmart. “We’ve been working with them since 2011,” says Kevin. “We’re there twice a week.” From a personal perspective, Kevin says it’s rewarding to work with underserved kids who, at the outset, tend to be withdrawn and untrusting but once their creative juices are flowing, experience breakthroughs that are evidenced by enthusiasm for what they are accomplishing. One project is ongoing and entails a mural. “It’s a transient population,” Kevin notes. “So, we came up with the idea that the mural would never be finished. Instead, it’s always evolving, as different people bring in new ideas and dynamics.”
Containers made by Kevin to hold plants, herbs and trees.
Other projects challenge students to handle the entire process – design, redesign and execution. “It’s exciting to watch,” Kevin says of the problem-solving lessons the students learn through the creative process. Residents of the facility’s shelter take part in individualized field trips to Lancaster Creative Factory, where they can engage in art projects. “Art leads to bigger ideas,” Kevin says of exposing his charges to possibilities they never dreamed of pursuing.
Lancaster Creative Factory also works with the population at the other end of the age spectrum. “We go to the eight centers that are operated by the Office of the Aging,” Kevin notes. “We have also been providing them with online classes since 2021. It’s been popular with older people. Some of them are doing really nice work,” he adds.
Kevin is also expanding Lancaster Creative Factory’s reach beyond the city. Lancaster Creative Factory now maintains a presence in Columbia, where the second floor of Kettle Works is home to the Switchboard Studios & Gallery, which is described as a “place for artists, wordsmiths and musicians to collaborate.” It’s also becoming a hub for community organizations. Monthly/themed gallery exhibits operate on an open-call basis.
The studio known as Columbia Creative Factory is overseen by Mychal LaVia, who also teaches at Lancaster Creative Factory and is part of the faculty for the Youth Intervention Center projects. Classes are held in Columbia, as well (a recent clay class was devoted to creating Spirit Houses). Switchboard is open during Kettle Works’ regular hours. Switchboardstudiosandgallery.com
Speaking of Columbia, Kevin worked with children to design some installations that can be seen along the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail. “They provided the ideas, and we took them and created installations,” he recalls.
As for the Garden …
Stacy is steadily replacing the lawn at the front of the house with gardens. Last summer, the gardens bloomed with orlaya (aka white lace flower), a low-maintenance annual that attracts pollinators.
You might equate Kevin and Stacy’s garden to the mural at the Youth Intervention Center, as it’s always evolving. Over the course of eight years, what had been a sea of green grass and a few trees has been transformed into a natural palette that blooms with color from early spring to late fall. “I plant through the season to ensure that something’s always in bloom,” says Stacy, who puts a greenhouse to use to get a jumpstart on the growing season. “It’s definitely not a planned look,” she says.
Pathways lead to gallery-like displays of creativity. Kevin has been creating art for his and Stacy’s garden for as long as he can remember … even before they became a twosome. “I’ll start something and before I know it, I’m on to something else,” he explains. “It may take me some time, but I always come back to a project.” Such was the case with the clay-and-glass tree that now creates a wow effect in a part of the backyard that, according to Stacy, was in need of something special. “I started working on that in Philadelphia,” Kevin recalls. “My dad and I hauled it back to Lancaster,” where it was put out of sight and out of mind at the studio. When Kevin became adept at creating glass art, the tree benefited.
Kevin Lehman and Stacy Martin have transformed a typical, grass-filled subdivision lot into an artistic and horticultural wonderland.
So, what happened to it between then and now? Along the way (2010) Kevin made the acquaintance of Jim Showers, whose gardens in Elizabethtown exuded creativity and attracted visitors by the busloads. “Jim had a cool garden, so I asked if I could install the tree there,” Kevin says. Soon, the two were collaborating on other items, with Jim creating an outdoor gallery to which Kevin could send interested clients. They also hosted several special “By the Light of the Moon” events to demonstrate how art can take a garden to another level.
When Jim unexpectedly passed away three years ago, Kevin was faced with the task of removing everything he had created from the property. Most of the pieces found a home on Kevin and Stacy’s property. The tree was updated with more glass, as well as metal leaves that were provided by Jim and Kevin’s good friend, metal artist John Morrow.
Fish sculpture by John Morrow
Another addition to the garden that was 10 years in the making is the arched lighting fixture whose design was inspired by the plant, Solomon’s seal. “I’d work on it and then walk away from it,” Kevin says. “I knew what I wanted to achieve but I wasn’t sure how to do it.” Fortunately, John Morrow provided the missing link with large metal leaves that travel the length of the “stem.” It was installed last spring. Kevin calls the results “functional and fun” and loves how it gracefully frames the view looking west.
A project that was 10 years in the making: an arching lighting fixture inspired by the plant, Solomon’s seal. Metal artist, John Morrow, helped Kevin with the finishing touches.
Stacy has gotten to know Kevin’s work habits all too well. When she needs something for the garden, Stacy knows she can go to Lancaster Creative Factory, poke around and leave with a find. “I can usually find something,” she says of Kevin’s propensity to make something, forget about it and move on to something else.
More of Kevin’s handiwork, glass pond balls that float in the water gardens.
Kevin continues to dabble in creating art for gardens. The glass balls that float in the ponds are his work, as are the containers that hold flowers, herbs and trees. He also provides containers to a senior living community that contracted him for such services. “I’d like to do more garden-related art,” he says of finding the time to pursue it. He also shares that because his work and interests vary, boredom is never an issue. “My mind is always working,” he says.
Problem Solving
Over the past two years, Stacy and Kevin have been tweaking their outdoor spaces in order to find solutions for problem areas and put them to better use. The clay-and-glass tree solved the issue of a long and narrow area that is framed by trees, arborvitae and berry vines. “There was nothing to focus on, it was just a tunnel-like expanse. Now, when you come up the driveway, your eye is drawn to it,” Stacy says of the 12-foot-high installation.
An area behind the garage had been used as a sort of catchall, as it held a cutting garden, a greenhouse and a small grassy sitting area. “It was just kind of a dead area,” Stacy comments. “But it had shade going for it.” Her vision was to transform it into a secret garden. “It needed to provide us with a reason to go back there,” she explains. She began by replacing the grass and cutting garden with a stone patio. She also created a small pond (thus, providing a soothing sound) and added a fire pit. It’s surrounded by plants, trees and Kevin’s art. “It’s just a nice place to sit and enjoy nature,” she says.
Stacy’s She Shed solved another problem area in which nothing would grow. Inspired by English Summer Houses, Kevin built the structure while Stacy found repurposed items (opposite) such as the windows, doors and furnishings.
The latest project Stacy and Kevin tackled is a She Shed, a term that seems to have evolved lately into such descriptives as a Reading Shed, Outdoor Library and other variations. Stacy’s shed makes its home in another “dead spot” in the garden. “That area of the yard is bordered by a huge maple tree that sucks up all the water,” Stacy notes. “Nothing would grow there.” Just when she admitted defeat, the idea of installing a She Shed occurred to Stacy.
She knew exactly what it would look like. A devoted fan of English horticulturist, Monty Don, whose television shows can be viewed/streamed in the U.S., she became enamored of the English tradition of Summer Houses, which no doubt helped to inspire the She Shed on this side of the pond. The small structures became fashionable on estate properties during the 16th and 17th centuries. By the 18th century they were being installed in the backyards of city properties and eventually became required additions to middle class homes. Modern Summer Houses essentially provide a restful place from which to enjoy the garden or entertain guests. Designs range from utilitarian to classic architectural styles.
Stacy decided to keep the design of her shed rather simple, hence it’s devoid of electric and water. Flooring is composed of pavers, which Stacy installed. Kevin built the shed. Repurposing came into play, as Stacy found old windows at Cornfields Primitives & Décor in New Holland, which she had repaired and repainted. The inclusion of double entry doors materialized when she was visiting her friend, Carolyn Hess, and shared she was looking for doors. Carolyn had an idea: she had doors from an old church in Leola that had been languishing in her basement for 40 years (they are estimated to date from the late 1880s, early 1900s). They were perfect! Jason Lichty of Leola Stained Glass took on the job of replacing glass that was missing. The door was also in need of a handle, and Stacy located the solution at Renninger’s in Adamstown. “I needed something with impact, and this was perfect, plus it was made by a company in Reading,” she reports.
Inside, the shed is furnished with finds from sources such as Wayfair, Cornfields Primitives & Décor and Vintage & Co. in Silver Spring. She also did some DIY projects including creating the daybed.
The updates were completed just in time for a Berks County garden club to visit last year. “We had 200 people come through,” says Stacy. “Someone told me the club has been doing tours for 30 years, and our garden was the best they’ve seen. That was very flattering to hear.”
For more information about Lancaster Creative Factory, visit Lancastercreativefactory.org.
Exciting. Super artists both and a loss to the spaces and places of the “southern end.” Much prefer your vision to that of fabled staid Longwood. Creative daring, imaginative excellence. Perfect article.
Great to see Kevin’s accomplishments and his creative progression over the years. Way back when, I was one of his first two pottery students. I have come to love being a potter and have been creating pottery ever since. Thanks Kevin for your early instruction.