Jamaal Durr

Contemporary Artist and Museum Artist–Educator, Dayton Art Institute 

Jamaal Durr is celebrated for his figurative works that seamlessly blend reality with the surreal. Utilizing oil paint, charcoal, and graphite, Durr’s narratives explore identity and self-reflection and resonate deeply with timely themes. Over the years, he has expanded his creative practice by gaining experience as a curator, muralist, and teacher. As a full-time working artist and museum artist–educator at the Dayton Art Institute, Durr applies his artistic passion to inspire and uplift his community. He is also a Kettering Foundation 2025 Dayton Democracy Fellow. He serves as the sole instructor for the Black Boy Brilliance program, where he leads preschool aged children through art-based activities centered on social and emotional learning skills and monthly reading material. Drawing from his worldly experiences and fatherhood, Durr creates a warm, encouraging environment that fosters creativity, confidence, and self-expression. His presence as a Black male educator provides representation and challenges stereotypes, leaving a profound and lasting impact on the children in his care. Durr’s dual role as artist and educator offers him a platform to boost community awareness and inspire greater participation in democracy. Through his art and teaching, he empowers others to explore their voices, connect with their identities, and engage meaningfully with the world around them, creating ripples of change that extend far beyond the classroom.