De’von “Divine” Downes
, a non-binary artist from South Jersey, creates impactful works in watercolor, public art, and jewelry. Their portraiture focuses on the black experience, weaving in symbolism from folklore and nature. They’ve contributed to projects with Murals Arts, Atlantic City Arts Foundation, Made in America, Glassboro Public School, and Camden FireWorks, leaving permanent murals across various locations.
Before muralism, De’von studied Art Therapy, worked as an Arts Coordinator, and conducted community-based workshops, emphasizing wellness and emotional literacy. Their belief in influencing change through inclusive, educational art drives them to challenge norms and use public art as a platform for inspiration and education.
De’von is cofounder of Philly Queer Life Drawing, and a resident artist at Camden Fireworks. They are currently still based out of South Jersey / The Greater Philadelphia region.
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Education
Associates Degree - Art Option Rowan College of South Jersey, Gloucester County Campus 2023
Certification
Trauma Informed Workshop Training, Bartol Foundation
Lyft Cerfited
Safe Space Trained, Montclair State University LGBTQ+ Center
Curating
Love Feels Like, Rowan College SJ Upper Mezzanine
Tattooed Moms, Philly QueerLife Drawing Takeover
Solo Exhibitions
2024 Only Child, Ross Bitezel Gallery Rowan College Of South Jersey (Gloucester County)
2024 Glassboro Library System, Opening Gallery Exhibition
2021 Loose Ends, Upper mezzanine Rowan College of South Jersey
Group Exhibitions
2024 RIZZ, Curator KennyBee Trenton Social, Trenton NJ
2024 Intimacy, William Way @ Dirty Franks, Philadelphia PA
2024 Honor Thy Mother, ThinkMakerSociety, Philadelphia PA
2023 (RE)Focus, Moore College Philadelphia PA
2023 HotBits, William Way Center, Philadelphia PA
2022 Queer Ecologies , William Way Center Philadelphia PA
2022- MobiFest, Curated by Kendrick Daye, Agora Gallery New York
2020- Women's History Month Exhibition, MADE Artisan Gallery Woodbury NJ
2020- Local Artist Group Exhibition, Torc Yoga Studio Philadelphia PA
Panel Discussion
2023 (RE)Focus: Then and Now Panel Discussion Moore College
2022 Local Queer Artist Talk Rowan College of SJ
Public Art
2024 With Us, Arc Gloucester County Sewell Nj
2023 Hope In the Heart Trenton Artworks Trenton Nj
2023 Stories of Fairhill, Mural Arts Julia De Burgos Philadelphia PA
2023 Community In Bloom, Atlantic City Arts Foundation, Chelsea Atlantic City Nj
2023 Love Letter To Camden, NJ transitional Arts, Walter Rand Station Nj
2023 Beach Body, New Jersey Ave Atlantic City Nj
2022 To be, Streets Dept LOVE Park Philadelphia PA
2020 Brick N Kulture Cafe Murals Woodbury Nj
Workshops
2018 Wire Wrapping & Wellness - Ongoing
2019 Watercolor and Wellness- OnGoing