About

Bio
Vere “Duane” Jones Jr. (1981), is an award-winning artist, designer and information manager with degrees from Bermuda College, NSCAD University and Dalhousie University. Best known as the founder of Studio Art Pays Me – a socially conscious creative consultancy and clothing brand – he has produced personal and commercial works across a variety of mediums. 
Duane regularly contributes to professional juries and boards and is a strong advocate for 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.
Education
Master of Information Management – 2014
Dalhousie University; Halifax, NS
Bachelor of Communication Design (Honours), Minor in Digital Media – 2004
NSCAD University; Halifax, NS
Associate of Art and Design – 2000
Bermuda College; Paget, BDA
Awards and Grants
$2,312.50 CAD – 2026
Arts Nova Scotia, Grants to individuals; Halifax, NS
Silver, Design: Spatial/Environment – 2025
Ice Awards; Atlantic Canada
Honourable Mention, Community Connections & Initiatives – 2025
Halifax Urban Design Awards; Halifax, NS
Small Business of the Year Finalist – 2023
The Halifax Chamber of Commerce; Halifax, NS 
The Most Inspiring Immigrants In The Maritimes – 2021
My East Coast Experience; Halifax, NS 
$2000 USD – 2003
Bermuda Arts Council Education Grant; Pembroke, BDA 
Faculty Prize – Excellent academic performance in the Art and Design Program – 2000
Bermuda College; Paget, BDA 
Hubert Smith/Alfred Birdsey: Sandys Rotary Scholarship – 1999
Bermuda College; Paget, BDA 
Public Art and Spacial Design
Mural – 2025
Halifax Mural Festival; Community YMCA, Halifax, NS
Mural on canvas; The Outsider – 2025
Nova Scotia Legal Aid; Halifax, NS
Mural – 2024
AKOMA Hydroponic Farm; Cherry Brook, NS
Spacial design; The Square – 2024
Buckets & Borders; George Dixon Community Centre, Halifax, NS
Mural; Unapologetic Pride – 2023
Halifax Mural Festival; Maxwell’s Plum Beer Garden, Halifax, NS
Mural on canvas; Black Joy – 2022
Dalhousie University; Halifax, NS
Mural; Real Unity Is Power – 2022
Halifax Mural Festival; Quinpool Road, Halifax, NS
Exhibition design; Tyranny – 2021
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia; Halifax, NS
Residencies
Pavia Artist-In-Residence Program – 2025
Pavia Gallery – Espresso Bar & Cafe; Herring Cove, NS
Select Exhibitions
Co-exhibition with Andrea Tsang Jackson – 2026
DesignTO: Out of Bounds; Daniel’s Spectrum, Toronto, On
Pavia artist in residence exhibition (Solo exhibition) – 2025
Pavia Gallery – Espresso Bar & Cafe; Herring Cove, NS
Go Figure... (Group exhibition) – 2024
Hermes Gallery; Halifax, NS
It’s Been A Year: 2023-24 Visual Arts Nova Scotia Mentorship Program Exhibition (Group exhibition) – 2024
The Craig Gallery; Dartmouth, NS
Halifax Salsa & Bachata Festival: Arte & Movement (Exhibition curator) – 2023
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia; Halifax, NS
Monochrome (Group exhibition) – 2023
The Dart Gallery; Dartmouth, NS
Strengthening Resilience (Group exhibition) – 2023
St. Francis Xavier University; Antigonish, NS
Empower Global Artist Showcase (Group exhibition) – 2022
Atlanta, GA
Squared Away (Group exhibition) – 2022
The Ice House Gallery; Tatamagouche, NS
This Is Us (Group fashion show) – 2022
Parade Square; Halifax, NS
Invest in NEST (Group fashion show) – 2022
Light House Arts Centre; Halifax, NS
Purpose: Atlantic Fashion Week (Group fashion show) – 2018
Dartmouth Crossing; Dartmouth, NS
Moments In Culture (Solo art and fashion exhibition) – 2018
Halifax Central Library; Halifax, NS
Group exhibition – 1999
Bermuda National Gallery; Pembroke, BDA
Public Speaking and Workshops
Griffon Day Keynote Speaker – 2025
Halifax Grammar School; Halifax, NS
Art Work: NSCAD Alumni Talks – 2025
NSCAD University, Virtual
Finding Your Creative Niche; Super Nova Conference – 2024
Halifax Central Library 
What If I'm Asked to Paint a Mural? Hub Talks – 2024
Sobeys Inspiration Hub, Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre; Saint Mary’s University 
How to Use Podcasting and Other Storytelling to Enhance an Art or Design Practice – 2022
NSCAD University Creative Entrepreneurship Lab
Panel Discussion with Tafui, moderated by Dr. Dori Tunstall – Black Designers Connect, RBC Black Diamond Ball Workshops – 2021 
Virtual
Creativity During the Pandemic; Creative Kick – 2020
Virtual
Hear Tell; Visual Arts Nova Scotia – 2020
Virtual
Art Pays Me Podcast live recording host – 2019
Halifax Pop Explosion; The Carleton, Halifax, NS
Community Involvement
Hermes Art Gallery Cooperative
Member – 2026
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Curatorial Committee
Member – 2024 to present
Black Artists Network Nova Scotia
Member – 2024 to present
Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine Anti-Oppression Sub-Committee
Member – 2024 to present
Visual Arts Nova Scotia
Member – 2022 to present
Canadian Art Foundation
Co-chair – 2024 to present
Member – 2023-2024
Envisioning Our Future Strategic Planning Committee, NSCAD University
Co-chair – 2022-2023
Creative Enterprise Lab Advisory Board, NSCAD University
Member – 2021-2022
President’s Advisory Council on Anti-Racist Initiatives, NSCAD University
Member – 2020-2022
NSCAD Alumni Association
Vice President – 2021-2022
President – 2020-2021
Vice President – 2019-2020
NSCAD University Board of Governors
Alumni Representative (First of African descent) – 2019-2021
Mentorship
Kordeena Clayton – 2023-2024
Visual Arts Nova Scotia Mentorship Program
Martins Madumere – 2022-2023
Animation Festival of Halifax, BIPOC Animator Film Commission and Mentoring
Boma Nnaji – 2021-2022
Visual Arts Nova Scotia Mentorship Program
Assessment and Adjudication
Juror – 2025
Berwick Mural Project 2025 - Art for Art’s Sake
Peer Assessor – 2023
HRM Arts Grant Program
Juror – 2022
Craft Nova Scotia Members’ Exhibition
Peer Assessor – 2021
Arts Nova Scotia Grants
Judge – 2020
NSCAD Student Art Award
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