...About the Artist...

Mr Midwest Leather 2010: Philip Hitchcock of St. Louis, Missouri; artist, owner of PHD Gallery, supporter of Tom of Finland Foundation, member of Art Dimensions - St. Louis, Art St. Louis, HRC and the ACLU, Philip was chosen First place and named Mr. Midwest Leather 2010 in September 2010.

Philip has sent us two checks, “...making a start here [St. Louis] with some fundraisers. More to come.” ToFF thanks Philip for his generosity, friendship and support over many years.

His book, Dark Impressions: The Art of Philip Hitchcock on his sculpture was released in the year 2000. He was included on the annual list of the 100 most influential gay men and lesbians in America by Out Magazine in 2001; “The Out 100,” for this book.

The Mr. Midwest Leather Contest is a volunteer organization representing 13 states and is dedicated to promoting Leather and LGBT issues and causes to the general public. Hitchcock plans to utilize the platform to expand on the charitable fundraising he started with his namesake art gallery, PHD Gallery. Hitchcock’s early plans include efforts to support Tom of Finland Foundation, an organization of which he has been a member and supported for 15 years, and Growing American Youth, a teen outreach group based in St. Louis.

Originally from St. Louis, Hitchcock moved to Los Angeles and graduated magna cum laude with a BA from UCLA. His career has produced provocative, innovative and sometimes controversial work that has challenged audiences nationwide, earning numerous awards.

Commissions have ranged from World Wrestling Entertainment to Saint Louis University Museum of Art. Other commissions have come from Fox-TV, The Walt Disney Corp., and the LA Stage Alliance.

He moved home to St. Louis in 2005, opening PHD Gallery in 2007, where he presents rotating exhibits of local, regional and national artists. Hitchcock uses PHD Gallery to raise awareness and raise funds for many causes and community institutions. PHD Gallery has raised money for The Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis, Food Outreach and VSL, which supports artists with disabilities. He has donated his own work to raise money for the Human Rights Campaign, The Victory Fund, which works to elect gay candidates, and Food Outreach.