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Hello Everyone.

My name is Donna and I am an artist, designer, project manager and strategist.

The standard stuff that you need to know about an artist (CV)

View my artwork here.

Looking for Donna the designer, project manager and strategist?

View my resume here. Download resume PDF

View my design portfolio here. Download portfolio PDF 

 

ARTIST BIO

For the past 20 years, Donna has dedicated her design and project management skills to developing marketing and promotional strategies for urban libraries and non-profits. She has been a graphic/web manager for Detroit Public Library and Houston Public Library systems and a brand manager for Houston Public Library. 

She graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in Universities Studies, minoring in arts and engineering, and attended the College for Creative Studies as a graphic communications major. She is the founder of DMJStudio, a creative studio devoted to developing art projects that close cultural gaps, beautify communities, and make art accessible to all. DMJStudio is also home to her personal visual and digital artwork. Beyond running DMJStudio, Donna currently consults non-profits and artists in brand identity development and digital platform management. In 2021, Donna became President of the Women’s Caucus for Art, a national organization supporting women in arts and activism. 

To ensure DMJStudio events and projects are free, Donna works and provides branding and design services to cultural and non-profit institutions and individuals. Organizations such as United Way, Charles H, Wright Museum of African American History to Focus Hope, Neighborhood Service Organizations, City of Houston, and Detroit Public Schools. Her goal is to work for non-profits and art institutions as a consultant while developing community-based art projects and exhibitions.

Specialties: Branding and Identity, graphic design, fine art, public art.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Most artists began the journey of creating to find out more about themselves or the world around them. I’m no different. My bodies of work are the results of what I’ve learned about womanhood and what I want to share about my hometown.

COLORFUL WOMEN: A series of illustrations, writings, and paintings of women in abstract form. Through color, shape, and the use of the human female figure, this series’ objective is to open viewers’ eyes to another type of feminine beauty that is beyond the curves, clothes, makeup and teased hair. These images convey a beauty that comes from the colorful nuisances of women’s personalities, emotions, and experiences. The paintings in this series are acrylic on canvas or wooden panels: the illustrations and drawings and mixed media and range from 4″ x 6″ to 3″ x 3″ inches. I am currently developing an illustrated series of 1000 3×3 cards, depicting women portraits, bodies, and words. The small and detailed mixed media cards create an intimate relationship between the artist and the viewer and display women in the only way they should be experienced; up close and personal. For more details, go to Colorful Women page or Colorful Women portrait page.

SHE SAID NO: This series of black and white acrylic paintings size 16 x 20 is a collection of narratives about the word NO. How many times as a woman, you hear the word NO as you make a life for yourself and how many times a woman must say NO to grow, empower, and protect herself in society. Such a small word with so much power. The installation includes 48 panels, also include a small book of stories entitled “She Said No.” For more details, go to She Said No page. 

COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND INSTALLATIONS

DETROIT: DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY is a traveling exhibition displaying the creativity and opportunities in Detroit for artists. What makes this exhibit unique is the visual art in this exhibition are actual doors transformed into art. Participants range from students to seniors, emerging artists, and seasoned artists – all Metro Detroit residents. This is not a competition or a juried show. It is open to all Metro-Detroiters who want to create. We are in our first year, but the vision is clear; to grow Door of Opportunity into a project that continually tours around the city, bringing more art to communities. We also will work diligently to install doors in Metro-Detroit neighborhoods and communities permanently. These doors will be visual symbols of the opportunity that exists in Detroit for all Detroit residents. For more details, go to Door of Opportunity page.

POP UP ART EXHIBIT (AND WORKSHOPS)This project takes abandoned lots, cleans them up, and then places public art from local artists on the land, transforming it into a space that can be used by the neighborhood. Community Pop-Up Art Exhibition Project provides clean, safe community spaces for family and neighbors to connect while revitalizing their neighborhoods. Cleaning up the lots and transforming them has the potential of bringing investors in to purchase the land and good neighbors to expand the neighborhood. Art from Detroit100 and other local art organizations are the focus of these exhibits. 

CURRICULUM VITAE

ART EXHIBITS

  • 2022 Hey Sexy, Hatch Gallery, Hamtramck MI

  • 2022 Seeing White, INAI Gallery, Adrian MI

  • 2022 In Her Hands, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI

  • 2022 Where We At, Irwin Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2022 Black Women Rock, Andy Art Center, Detroit, MI

  • 2021 Detroit Womenhouse, Detroit, MI

  • 2021 Souls of Black Folk, Scarab Club, Detroit, MI

  • 2020 Poster on Politics, Detroit, Charles H. Wright Museum, Detroit, MI

  • 2020 Poster on Politics, Black Box Gallery, Dearborn, MI

  • 2020 Seeing White, Detroit, MI

  • 2019 Seeing White, Ypsilanti, MI

  • 2019 Community Collective, Marygrove Conservancy Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2018 Posters On Politics, Black Box Gallery,  Dearborn, MI

  • 2018 She Said No, Art Prize, Grand Rapids, MI

  • 2018 Door of Opportunity, Detroit Public School, Bates Academy, Detroit, MI

  • 2018 Door of Opportunity, Public art Installation, Detroit Neighborhood Art Project, Detroit, MI

  • 2017 Door of Opportunity, Detroit Public Library, Detroit, MI

  • 2017 Posters on Politics, The Baltimore Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2017 In Pursuit of Hope, Focus: HOPE, Detroit, MI

  • 2017 Gilda’s Girls, The Baltimore Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2017 Door of Opportunity, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

  • 2016 Door of Opportunity, The Baltimore Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2016 Wall of 100 Makers, Civilla, Detroit, MI

  • 2016 Door of Opportunity, Daly in the Alley, Detroit, MI

  • 2016 Door of Opportunity, Belle Isle Art Show, Detroit, MI

  • 2016 Door of Opportunity, Palmer Park Art Show, Detroit, MI

  • 2016 Indie Art Fair Mural Exhibition, Down River Council of the Arts, Wyandotte, MI

  • 2015 Door of Opportunity, Northend Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2015 Door of Opportunity, 4731 Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2015 Door of Opportunity, One Mile Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2015 Door of Opportunity, Detroit Public Library, Detroit, MI

  • 2015 Door of Opportunity, The Baltimore Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2015 Door of Opportunity, The Virgil Carr Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2015 Door of Opportunity, Downriver Council of the Arts, Wyandotte, MI

  • 2012 Detroit Got Talent, Heidelberg Project, Detroit, MI

CURATORIAL PROJECTS

  • 2023 Color of Sci-Fi - Octavia, Detroit, MI

  • 2023 Color of Sci-Fi - REAL!?, Detroit, MI

  • 2022 We Are the North End, Eastern Market After Dark, Detroit, MI

  • 2022 FIBER: Art, Design and Business, Chroma Detroit, Detroit, MI

  • 2022 YOU Belong, Chroma Detroit, Detroit, MI

  • 2021 The Skin I’m In, South Haven Art Center, South Haven

  • 2021 Griot, Norwest Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2021 Souls of Black Folk, Scarab Club, Detroit, MI

  • 2020 Poster on Politics, Charles H. Wright Museum, Detroit, MI

  • 2020 Poster on Politics, Black Box Gallery, Dearborn, MI

  • 2020 Women Show, Andy Art Center, Detroit, MI

  • 2020 Posters on Politics, Detroit MI

  • 2019 Focus On Detroit, Photography Festival, Detroit, MI

  • 2019 Community Collective, Marygrove Conservancy Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2018 Fenkell: Unknown Treasures, Andy Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2018 Posters On Politics, The Baltimore Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2018 Door of Opportunity, Public art Installation, Detroit Neighborhood Art Project, Detroit, MI

  • 2018 Inner Fragments: Iranian Women Art Exhibition, Norwest Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2018 Survive In America, The Baltimore Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2017 Door of Opportunity, Detroit Public Library, Detroit, MI

  • 2017 Posters on Politics, the Baltimore Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2017 Gilda’s Girls, The Baltimore Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2017 Door of Opportunity, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

  • 2016 Door of Opportunity, The Baltimore Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2016 Wall of 100 Makers, Civilla Detroit, Detroit, MI

  • 2016 Door of Opportunity, Daly in the Alley, Detroit, MI

  • 2016 Door of Opportunity, Belle Isle Art Show, Detroit, MI

  • 2016 Door of Opportunity, Palmer Park Art Show, Detroit, MI

  • 2015 Door of Opportunity, Northend Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2015 Door of Opportunity, 4731 Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2015 Door of Opportunity, One Mile Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2015 Door of Opportunity, Detroit Public Library, Detroit, MI

  • 2015 Door of Opportunity, The Baltimore Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2015 Door of Opportunity, The Virgil Carr Gallery, Detroit, MI

  • 2015 Door of Opportunity, Downriver Council of the Arts, Wyandotte, MI

BOOKS PUBLISHED

  • 2017 Posters on Politics

MEMBERSHIP AFFILIATES

  • 2020 - Present | AIGA Detroit (VP of Programming)

  • 2020 – Present | Mint Artists Guild (Board Member)

  • 2022 - Present | Women's Caucus for Art, National (President)

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY