Jim Dukes

At 8:00 a.m. on Friday, August 13, you can watch the livestream event on YouTube by clicking HERE (no password required). If you registered for this event, a Zoom link was also emailed to you.

Jim Dukes is the Executive Director of Charlotte Art League. Prior to entering the arts industry, Mr. Dukes was an Explosive Ordinance Disposal technician and seasoned engineering design and construction manager. Jim is disabled from two blast injuries and a total of five Traumatic Brain Injuries. In 2013, as part of a yearlong arts residency at Tapps Arts Center in Columbia South Carolina, he completed the daily operations of the gallery, hung exhibits and ran special events, all while completing his designed healing arts programs and exhibiting his group work. Mr. Dukes won the education partner of the year for his work Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands at the end of his residency. He then went on to start his own freelance photography and graphic arts business, In 2016 he became the Director of Healing Arts Programs at The Big Red Barn Retreat Center in Blythwood, SC. He drew on his experience with his own trauma and his art residency to develop, implement and instruct non-therapeutic art and photography workshops for active duty military, drill sergeants, veterans, couples, children and military care givers. During his time at the Big Red Barn Retreat, he instructed over 2,500 clients, intervened in over a dozen suicides resulting in no client losses. The programs Mr. Dukes developed are innovative, non-threatening and provide a highly effective alternative to knee to knee therapy for trauma. His programs were utilized by the Dorn Veterans Administration Hospital in Columbia, SC, where their outpatient mental health groups partnered with Mr. Dukes to complete therapeutic art and photography programs with their work exhibited in the regional library and City Mayors Office. Jim is a member of the Charlotte Art League and previously volunteered as the Community Manager. In September 2020, Jim was appointed to ASC’s Cultural Sector Advisory Council (Institutions) for a two year term.