Debra Hand is an award-winning, international sculptor and painter whose work graces some of the nation's most prominent fine art collections. Her original works are preserved in world-class institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution in
When it comes to honoring Americans of historical significance, Debra Hand is one of the most commissioned female sculptors in
Among the list of history makers who own her sculptures are: President Barack Obama; Dr. Winnie Mandela; Senior White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett; Dr. Maya Angelou; Astronaut - Dr. Mae Jemison; Bill Cosby; Harry Belafonte; Cicely Tyson; Deloris Jordan; Stedman Graham; Spike Lee; Kenneth 'Baby Face' Edmonds; Seal; Tavis Smiley; Sinbad; LL Cool J; Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura of Star Trek fame); Susan Taylor, former Editor-in-Chief of Essence Magazine and Founder of the National Cares Mentoring Movement; Branford Marsalis, Jazz Great and former "Tonight Show" band leader; and Dr. Margaret Burroughs - principal Founder of the DuSable Museum, the very first museum in the world that was devoted to preserving African-American history.
In fact, it was the legendary museum founder and artist, Dr. Burroughs, who first recognized Hand's talents. She personally arranged for Hand's first public exhibit and remained a mentor as Hand's career catapulted her to unprecedented heights.
As a self-taught artist, Debra Hand provides a sparkling example of what is possible through sheer determination. Through self instruction, she has worked her way from the very bottom to the very top of her field, inventing new techniques as she navigated her way through the learning process. Her unique artistic approaches, both to subject-matter and material, is respected and admired by people from every nationality, age group, and walk of life. She is often invited to unveil her work before some of the nation's top dignitaries during milestone occasions, as a way of expanding and promoting the beauty of
From dancers to musicians to portraitures of dignity, the exquisite works of Debra Hand are inextricably linked. Her narrative of characters show us humanity at its finest -- the individual immersed in self discovery; a process through which one might find his or her full potentiality and thus become a greater contributor to humanity. Through her work, Hand seeks to share a subtle, but profound, message -- a narrative of triumph, mastery, and beauty.
Debra Hand is a world class sculptor whose prominence is evidenced by the growing list of aficionados who covet her work. Industry presidents and leaders who own her sculptures include: Chris Gardner - CEO of Gardner Rich whose life story was made into the movie "Pursuit of Happyness" starring Will Smith; Donzell & Alisa Starks - Founders and Owners of ICE Theaters who made a historic forty million dollar investment in inner city movie theater complexes; Herb Kent - Guinness Book of World Records Inductee and renowned radio personality; Senator Emil Jones, Jr. - Former President of the Illinois Senate and early Obama mentor; Frank Clark, Chairman & CEO of ComEd; Melody Spann-Cooper, President of WVON Radio; Cheryle Jackson, President of the Chicago Urban League; Mike Roberts, former President of McDonald's USA; Frances Jones, former President of the National Black McDonalds Operators Association; Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, former President of Spellman College and Bennett College; Merri Dee, President of AARP/Illinois; Barbara Bowles, former CEO Kenwood Group; Dr. Carol Adams, President of the DuSable Museum; Abena Joan Brown, President of Eta Creative Arts Foundation; Joan Gray, President Muntu Dance Theater; Don Jackson, CEO of Central City Productions and wife, Rose Jackson; Eugene Morris, President and CEO of E Morris Communications; Diane Carr, President of South Side Community Arts Center; Barbara Bates, CEO and President of Bates Designs; Leigh Jones, CEO of Leigh Jones Coiffures; Clyde Hammond - President of Summit Labs; Curtis Jones, CEO of Green Velvet Records, and wife, Paula Jones; Attorney Gregory Wilson and wife, Leanna Flowers Wilson, Chairperson Muntu Dance Theater; Teesee Hooks, legendary Chicago Defender Newspaper columnist; and Cheryl Burton, Emmy Award winning journalist at ABC News - WLS.
In 2008, the Chicago Defender newspaper named Debra Hand as one of their top "Fifty Women of Excellence." She is featured in "Who's Who in Black Chicago" and was the sole artist showcased at their 2008 VIP reception and unveiling. Her work was also featured during Ebony Fashion Fair's historic 50th Anniversary show. Debra Hand has been awarded the coveted "Visual Artist of the Year" award from the African American Arts Alliance. In 2009, Debra Hand was selected to create the official image for the milestone concert season of Jazz Unites. For this occasion, Hand created a colorful abstract painting that fused a grand piano, an upright bass and a musical composition. An image of the original painting was used on all 2009 collectibles of Jazz Unites including: black-tie gala program covers, concert programs, stage banners, city banners, and t-shirts. Additionally, Hand created their signature "We Love You Madly" Award which has been bestowed on jazz greats such as Dr. Billy Taylor, James Moody and legendary drummer, Roy Haynes.
Debra Hand has completed several projects for the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra -- the organization she credits with inspiring her stringed instrument collection by giving her a real violin and challenging her to use it as a canvas upon which to create a work of art. Hand's stringed instruments are now preserved in major museum collections. Hand's work has been exhibited in the Sculptural Objects Functional Art (SOFA) Show, an internationally acclaimed, world class exhibit that showcases the greatest artists from each country, worldwide. She has also been represented by prominent gallerists both in
Debra Hand has a Master of Science Degree from the Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.