Ed Dwight

Ed Dwight has been an artist since his youth. He is a graduate engineer, a former USAF Test Pilot and America’s first African American Astronaut candidate. After successful careers as an Air Force Officer/Pilot, and real estate and construction entrepreneur, he has dedicated the last 33 years solely to his artistic endeavors.

In 1975, while in the Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) Program at the University of Denver, Mr. Dwight was commissioned by the Colorado Centennial Commission to create a series of bronzes depicting the contribution of Blacks to the American Frontier West. The series of 50 bronzes was exhibited for several years throughout the United States, gaining widespread acceptance and critical acclaim. In 1979, while the series was on exhibit at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (National Park Service), he was encouraged to create a bronze series portraying the history and historical roots of Jazz. The series created, entitled "JAZZ: An American Art Form," now consists of over 70 bronzes characterizing the creation and evolution of Jazz from its African and European roots to the fusion of contemporary music.

In 1978, Mr. Dwight’s first large-scale commissioned work was the abolitionist Frederick Douglass. This life-sized monument was commissioned by the National Park Service and is on display at the Douglass Museum in Anacostia, Maryland. Since this commission, he has completed over 128 Public Art & Large Scale Memorial installations throughout the United States. He has also created over 18,000 gallery sculptures and is represented in several galleries throughout the country.

In 2009, Mr. Dwight was honored with the commission to create an historical life size sculpture presentation of President Barack Obama’s first inauguration scene. The scene includes the President, The First Lady, the two Obama girls and Chief Justice John Roberts administering the oath. The exhibit is on tour throughout the U.S. in museums & other venues.  

On October 27, 2010, Mr. Dwight unveiled 2 major sculptural installations on the sight of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.  The first sculpture of “Hope” is of bronze and granite construction. It features three bronze figures with the themes of Humiliation, Harassment & Hope. The sculptures stand on a circular pedestal with graphics engraved on the base and are separated by three 16’ high granite elements.  The second installation is a 27’ tall cylindrical “Tower of Reconciliation,” features in bas-relief form, the history of the African American experience from Africa, the Middle Crossing, Slavery, and the Trail of Tears from Florida to Oklahoma. The relief vividly depicts the experience of Blacks, Native Americans and Black Indians in Oklahoma from the 1830’s, slavery, the Civil War experience, Buffalo Soldiers, the building of the all Black town of Greenwood, the burning of Greenwood to the ground, the rebuilding of Greenwood, and today’s attempt at Reconciliation.

Currently, Mr. Dwight operates a 30,000 sq. ft. studio/gallery and foundry in Denver. He employs several artisan craftsmen. He is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from his Alma Mater Arizona State University and hundreds of “Living Legends Awards” from around the Country for his achievements & contributions to racial progress through his many Memorials & Public Art. Museums, institutions and art appreciators throughout the world rigorously collect Mr. Dwight’s sculptures.