Curtis E. James originally from Albany, Georgia moved to New York in 1985 to attend Pratt Institute.  There he received his BFA and MFA in Fine Art.  He has garnered several honors and awards including:

• Pratt Institute $50,000 scholarship 

• Silver Plate Award from the U.S. House of Representatives 

• Albany Museum Purchase Award (at age 18 & 19 the youngest in the history of the museum to receive this award) 

• Gold Key Award from Savannah College 

• Merit Award from Atlanta College of Arts 

• Outstanding Artist Award from the Georgia State Board of Education  

Curtis has exhibited at the Historical Museum of Alabama, Albany Museum of Art, Georgia, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Cathedral of St. John the Divine and Siena College, New York, Chicago Black Fine Art Show, Chicago (hosted by Oprah Winfrey).   Mr. James work provides an ambiance on the walls of The Shark Bar Restaurant in New York City.  

His media credits include E Entertainment TV, the Source Magazine TV Show, CNN, CBS, WNYW and various local cable television stations in New York and Georgia; WJIZ Radio, Albany, Georgia and Showtime's Soul Food television series.  Magazine credits include Essence, Ebony, American Legacy, Upscale, People Magazine, Chain Leader, Images, Art Trend and Decor Magazines and Artistic Impressions Catalogue. 

Books illustrated include "Vampire Bugs", "Linda Brown, You Are Not Alone", "The School Is Not White" and "Freedom Ship".  

Curtis E. James work is in the collection of such notables as Tyler Perry, The Late Johnny Cochran, Susan Taylor, Holly Robinson-Peete, Kordell Stewart and Oliver Gibson formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Al Wash, ALW  Entertainment , just to name a few.