About the artist:

DuBois is a Marine Corps veteran, who served from 1952 to 1956. “It was something I felt I had to do,” he says. It gave him his first chance to see the world: He did hitches in South Korea and Japan. He came home to study at the Art Institute of Colorado courtesy of the G.I. Bill and was a member of the school’s first graduating class in 1957. Today he is a member of the institute’s hall of fame. DuBois has deep roots in Colorado. He was raised by his stepfather Obrey and mother Melba Hamlet (his biological father died when he was 12.) His stepfather built Winks Lodge, the first facility opened in Lincoln Hills, which was been founded in 1922 as a resort property for black patrons. At the time, it was the only such resort west of the Mississippi River. When DuBois’ mother married Hamlet, she became the growing resort’s chef, turning out barbecue for the likes of Count Basie, Lena Horne and Duke Ellington. Art is his calling, his passion, his life. - parts from Denver Post article interview with artist from February 27th, 2013 Portrait artist Jess DuBois was a member of the Art Institute of Denver's very first graduating class in 1957. DuBois owned a gallery in Estes Park in which he exhibited his portrait works until he was forced to close after the town's devastating 1982 flood. He moved back to his native Five Points neighborhood in Denver, where he cultivated the art of glass blowing and sculpture work. In 1988 he was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Denver Black Arts Festival. Also in 1988 he was commissioned by the Denver transportation agency to create a bronze statue which is now located at the 30th & Downing light rail station in Denver. In 2004 he was honored at the Denver Mayor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts. Source: http://aic.aii.edu/alumni_hof04.asp