Déja M. Jones of the Wampanoag

Déja M. Jones is a self-taught Black and Indigenous Creole artist from New Orleans, Louisiana. They began their career at the intersection of advocacy and art in 2017, focusing on the themes of spirituality, community wellness, land, culture, and governance. Through community organizing, curating, and their studio practice, they create spaces that celebrate joy, honor, and revolution. In 2021, Jones’ Museum Professionals Fellowship at the Studio Museum in Harlem set the foundation for their curatorial practice. In 2024, with funding from the National Performance Network’s Take Notice Fund and the Louisiana Division of the Arts Project, Jones’s dedication to uplifting voices from the American Southeast has led to a series of community development-focused exhibitions across Louisiana. In 2023, Jones was selected to be a member of the Front Gallery Collective, where Jones made their solo exhibition debut. Over the years, Jones has shown work nationally and internationally. After serving as the Program Director for the local land stewardship organization, Imagine Water Works, they are now working as a Youth Development Specialist with the New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board. In this role, they focus on promoting positive youth development through intergenerational collaboration and art.