Jay Durrah’s Bio

Jay Durrah is a self-taught artist from Western PA who has been sketching since the age of nine.  

Jay has a B.A. from Howard University in Political Science, Class of 83.

Jay draws portraits mostly starting with the eyes, for he believes they capture the essence of a person’s being.

Jay’s style strategically places multiple colors on canvas to create portraits. The use of multiple colors represents the multiracial aspect of humans. Through his art, Jay would like people to focus on the commonality of humanity.

Jay had some formal training at the Corcoran School of Art and the Montpelier Arts Center. 

Jay has shown his work in museums, galleries, corporate shows, music and art festivals throughout the country. A highlight of his journey was getting selected for a group show at the US Embassy in Rome. Jay had 6 solo shows at the Hill Center in Washington, DC, Art Of Noize in Washington, DC, Lamar Art Center in Barnesville, GA, Gallery O on H in Washington, DC, The Harlem Coffee Co. in Harlem, NY and Harmony Hall Art Center in Ft. Washington, MD.  

Jay completed several public art projects in the DMV area. During the George Floyd protests, Jay had a mural on display at the National Buildings Museum depicting a young Black boy holding a sign asking, “Am I Next.”

Jay is currently an instructor at VisArts, a private non-profit art school. 

His works belong to either private or public collections, both in the US and abroad.

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