Bio
Vere “Duane” Jones Jr. (1981), is an award-winning conceptual artist, designer and podcast host with degrees from Bermuda College, NSCAD University and Dalhousie University. Best know as the founder of Studio Art Pays Me – an artist focused clothing brand and podcast, Duane regularly contributes to creative juries and boards as an advocate for artists and marginalized people. He is the co-chair of the Canadian Art Foundation, a member of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia’s Curatorial committee, is a former member of the NSCAD University Board of Governors and former president of the NSCAD Alumni Association.
Duane is fascinated by how visual language is used to shift culture and change or reinforce prevailing beliefs. His genre-blending creative process requires concept to dictate medium. His practice includes works on paper and canvas, corporate identity, public art and fashion – all brought together by his penchant for employing symbolism, colour and typography to elicit audience responses.
Education
Master of Information Management – Dalhousie University; Halifax, NS (2014)
Bachelor of Communication Design (Honours), Minor in Digital Media – NSCAD University; Halifax, NS (2004)
Associate of Art and Design – Bermuda College; Paget, BDA (2000)
Select exhibitions and fashion shows
Exhibition curator – Halifax Salsa & Bachata Festival: Arte & Movement; Marriott Harbourfront, Halifax, NS (2024)
Group exhibition – Go Figure...; Hermes, Halifax, NS (2024)
Group exhibition – It’s Been A Year: 2023-24 Visual Arts Nova Scotia Mentorship Program Exhibition; The Craig Gallery, Dartmouth, NS (2024)
Exhibition curator – Halifax Salsa & Bachata Festival: Arte & Movement; Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax, NS (2023)
Group exhibition – Monochrome; The Dart Gallery, Dartmouth, NS (2023)
Group exhibition – Strengthening Resilience; St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS (2023)
Group exhibition – Empower Global Artist Showcase; Atlanta, GA (2022)
Group exhibition – Squared Away; The Ice House Gallery, Tatamagouche, NS (2022)
Group fashion show – This Is Us; Parade Square, Halifax, NS (2022)
Group fashion show – Invest in NEST; Light House Arts Centre, Halifax, NS (2022)
Selected public speaking and hosting
Artist talk – Art Work: NSCAD Alumni Talks; NSCAD University, Virtual (2025)
Artist talk – Finding Your Creative Niche; Super Nova Conference; Halifax Central Library (2024)
Artist talk – What If I'm Asked to Paint a Mural? Hub Talks; Sobeys Inspiration Hub, Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre; Saint Mary’s University (2024)
Lecture – How to Use Podcasting and Other Storytelling to Enhance an Art or Design Practice; NSCAD University Creative Entrepreneurship Lab (2022)
Panel Discussion (Dr. Dori Tunstall and Tafui) – Black Designers Connect, RBC Black Diamond Ball Workshops, Virtual (2021)
Artist talk – Creativity During the Pandemic; Creative Kick; Virtual (2020)
Lecture – Hear Tell; Visual Arts Nova Scotia; Virtual (2020)
Mentorship
Mentor – Kordeena Clayton; Visual Arts Nova Scotia Mentorship Program (2023-24)
Mentor – Martins Madumere; Animation Festival of Halifax, BIPOC Animator Film Commission and Mentoring (2022-23)
Mentor – Boma Nnaji; Visual Arts Nova Scotia Mentorship Program (2021-22)
Boards and committees
Co-chair – Canadian Art Foundation; Toronto, ON (2023-present)
Co-chair – Envisioning Our Future Strategic Planning Committee, NSCAD University; Halifax, NS (2022-present)
President – NSCAD Alumni Association; Alumni Association Board, 2020-21 Alumni Association Board, Halifax, NS (2020-21)
Alumni Representative; NSCAD University Board of Governors; Halifax, NS (2019-21)
Awards
Honourable Mention – Halifax Urban Design Award Honourable Mention; Squaretown Courts (2025)
Small Business of the Year Finalist – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce; Halifax, NS (2023)
The Most Inspiring Immigrants In The Maritimes – My East Coast Experience; Halifax, NS (2021)
Assessment and adjudication
Peer Assessor – HRM Arts Grant Program (2023)
Juror – Craft Nova Scotia Members’ Exhibition (2022)
Peer Assessor – Arts Nova Scotia Grants (2021)
Judge – NSCAD Student Art Award (2020)
Selected press
Halifax artist designs courts as part of dream project for Canada Basketball; CTV Atlantic, Halifax, NS (2024)
Style East; Solitha Shortte; Eastlink TV (2023)
Get to Know: Duane Jones; Eilish Bonang; Global News Morning (2023)
2023 Halifax Business Awards; Business Voice Magazine (2023)
Not Everyone Finds Their Dream Job Right Out Of School; My Halifax Experience Magazine (2021)
Bermudian Abroad, Art For A Living; RG Magazine (2021)
21 Black-Owned Products You Need In 2021 And Beyond; Black Enterprise (2021)
Black Canadian Designers Making Waves in Fashion; CTV Your Morning (2021)
Instagram Images that Defined 2020; The Coast (2020)
Episode 205: Duane Jones; Revision Path Podcast; Maurice Cherry (2017)
Memberships
Member – Visual Arts Nova Scotia
Member – Black Artists Network Nova Scotia