SNAPCHAT — ARtist Series + Lens Fest Award
Role: Featured AR Creator / Cultural Innovator
In 2021, Leighton McDonald was selected as one of Snapchat’s featured creators for their ARtist Speaker Series, spotlighting his work blending art, identity, and augmented reality. His project Blacksoul Gallery, built for Snap’s Spectacles 2.0, showcased emerging Black artists in spatial AR environments—reimagining what a gallery could be for the next generation of digital creatives.
That same year, Leighton was awarded Best Lens That Informs & Innovates at Snap’s first-ever Lens Fest Awards, recognizing his use of AR as a tool for cultural storytelling and social impact.
📎 Watch the Lens Fest Feature
📎 Read the ARtist Series Feature
📎 Lens Fest Awards Announcement