The sculptural ceramic work of Donté K. Hayes pulls from his interest in hip-hop culture, history, and science fiction to explore themes in Afrofuturism, a projected vision of an imagined future which critiques the historical and cultural events of the African Diaspora and the distinct black experience of the Middle Passage. He combines ceramics with printmaking, installation, and performance to elevate his ceramic sculptures as a historical and creative base materials to inform memories of the past. Donté will present his work through images and/or a brief demo and host Fabio J. Fernández will guide the discussion through a range of topics including access, mentorship, and community.

Learn about all eight artist events in The Artist’s Studio series.

Registration and general info:

This event will be held live on Zoom and attendees will be able to ask questions, time permitting. Each event will be recorded, and registered participants will have access to the recording for 30 days.

There are two ways to register for events in The Artist’s Studio series: You can register for individual artist events or subscribe to the entire series at a discount with the Series Pass. The Series Pass includes exclusive access to a Google Classroom with all eight event recordings, handouts and resource materials, good through June 8^th.

Individual Artist Event Fees: $50 general admission. Free to Harvard Undergraduate Students

Register for this event

Limited scholarships are available. To be considered for a scholarship, fill out an application form. Questions? Contact Director Kathy King at kking@fas.harvard.edu.

Artist Biography

Donté K. Hayes graduated summa cum laude from Kennesaw State University at Kennesaw, Georgia with a BFA in Ceramics and Printmaking with an Art History minor. Hayes received his MA and MFA with honors from the University of Iowa and is the 2017 recipient of the University of Iowa Arts Fellowship. Recent art exhibitions include group shows at the Museum of Science + Industry in Chicago, Illinois, the Association of Visual Arts in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia in Atlanta. Donté’s artwork has been presented at the 1-54 art fair in London, England, and at Design Miami in Florida. He has also been included in recent juried exhibitions from the 2019 NCECA Student Juried Show, and the 2018 River to River Midwest Regional Ceramic Juried Show at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Hayes is a 2019 Ceramics Monthly Magazine Emerging Artists and Artaxis Fellow. Donté is the 2019 winner of the Society 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art from the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, South Carolina. Donté K. Hayes is represented by Mindy Solomon Gallery in Miami, Florida.