ENRIQUE LEON SPIRIT

Enrique R. Leon

Enrique was born in the Andes Mountains of Peru in 1938.  His family moved to the coastal town of Chimbote when he was 10 years old. To help support his family, Enrique worked on a tuna fishing boat during his school vacations.   He began developing his artistic skills while attending teacher’s college.  

In 1965, he met Peace Corps Volunteer, Marjorie Lam.  They were married in 1967 and lived the next 10 years in Peru where their two sons were born. Enrique earned a master’s degree in counseling from the Catholic University in Lima.  The family moved to Maryland in 1977. Enrique worked as a Manpower Development Specialist for the DC government for the next 26 years.

Enrique began carving in earnest after he found an abandoned black walnut log in a wooded area behind his house in Maryland.  He carved pre-Incan and Incan designs for a fireplace mantle and several large wall plaques. He became interested in Northwest Native Art while visiting Washington state and Southeast Alaska.

Upon retirement, Enrique and his wife moved to Tacoma, WA. He joined the Carvers Camp and helped carve a dugout canoe under the leadership of Chief Philip Red Eagle. Since then, Enrique has carved many canoe paddles and participated in 6 Northwest Tribal Journeys. In 2017 he was honored to be adopted as a member of Tlingit tribe.

In his home shop and garage, Enrique continues to carve both Peruvian and Northwest figures.  He has carved over a dozen totems of different sizes, countless masks, plaques, pendants, bowls, and other utensils. He has exhibited in Washington, DC, and Tacoma.  He frequently donates pieces for charity auctions. 

Currently, Enrique volunteers at the Tacoma Community Boat Builders, where he mentors young people who have been referred by the judicial system.