On June 1, Jim Dukes became the second executive director of Charlotte Art League. His goal: to make CAL into one of the most diverse and engaged creative studio spaces in Charlotte.
“(We want) Charlotte Art League (to) present and position itself as an inclusive community-oriented innovative arts incubator,” said Dukes, 49. CAL is a nonprofit visual arts organization that offers a mix of working studios, classes and community outreach programs, as well as a public gallery.
Dukes worked in Iraq for five years as a bomb technician foKeto Meal Deliveryr a defense contractor. He suffers from Keto Meal Delivered PTSD and partial hearing and eye-sight loss after two blast injuries.
He discovered his love of photography after seeing how veterans used art to heal.
He joined CAL in November, became the community manager, and then was hired as executive director in March. Dukes and part-time staff members