courtesy of Donna Jackson
The Scarab Club, a cultural landmark and artistic hub in Detroit for over a century, has appointed seasoned arts professional Donna Jackson as its new Gallery Manager. Known for her creative leadership and community-driven approach, Jackson brings a wealth of experience to the role, ensuring the Club’s exhibition program continues to thrive and evolve. Jackson is the first Black woman in this position in The Scrab Club’s 117 years.
“I came in under one of the annual exhibitions that I enjoy myself, which is the Gilda Snowden Memorial exhibition,” Jackson said.
“Gilda Snowden, we lost her in 2014, but she was an amazing artist who has inspired many, many artists that we love today or have loved over the years. So to be able to come in and that be the first exhibit that I can curate and put on the walls here, that was just an amazing time.”
With over 20 years of expertise in design, project management, and cultural programming, Jackson has dedicated her career to making art accessible to diverse communities. As the founder of DMJStudio, she has spearheaded numerous projects to bridge cultural gaps and enhance urban landscapes with artistic expression. Her background also includes pivotal roles in major public library systems, where she honed her skills in marketing, branding, and audience engagement.
Jackson’s Souls of Black Folk exhibition offered another opportunity to highlight Black art and artists in a prominent venue. By showcasing her own works alongside those of several colleagues, she aimed to enhance this visibility. The exhibition fosters a sense of accessibility in the space, aligning with the Scarab Club’s broader mission.
“That’s something that I thoroughly enjoy, and I feel like now that I’m here (The Scrab Club), that is something I want to continue to do, but also these threads of what makes us human, Black, Brown, white, purple, what makes us human, I think that’s very, very important, because people are totally forgetting that.
“I want black people to feel comfortable in this space,” Jackson said.
Kathryn Dimond, Executive Director, highlighted that she and the team are delighted to welcome Donna Jackson to the Scarab Club.
“Her unique combination of artistic vision, marketing expertise, and commitment to community engagement makes her the ideal person to lead our gallery program into its next chapter,” Dimond said.
Prior to joining the Scarab Club, Jackson held key positions in both the Detroit Public Library and Houston Public Library systems. As the graphic and web manager, she developed innovative promotional strategies that expanded audience engagement. Her tenure as brand manager for Houston Public Library further solidified her expertise in institutional advancement and community connection.
“I carry a sketchbook everywhere,” Jackson said.
“I got one in my bag now. So I feel like sometimes we get caught into, ‘Oh, I’m trying to make this amazing painting’, and I don’t have enough time to make the amazing painting because I don’t have four hours. But I do have 15 minutes to sit and sketch, and a lot of times, those sketches become the next series or the next painting. So, I think just the little moments of drawing have allowed me to continue to be creative.”
Jackson’s appointment aligns perfectly with the Scarab Club’s mission to promote artistic excellence and cultivate a vibrant creative community. She has a variety of artists and mediums she admires, Cy Twombly’s art resonates with her on a spiritual level.
“He has a museum in Houston, the Cy Twombly Foundation but the whole room has his pieces, and it feels like a spiritual place,” Jackson said.
“I’m honing into spirituality in art, because I think that is important to me. In the long run, I think that’s what all artists are doing, trying to get to know who they are. Their true selves, their spiritual selves”
Holding a degree in University Studies with minors in arts and applied engineering from Western Michigan University, along with studies in graphic communications at the College for Creative Studies, Jackson’s multidisciplinary background positions her as a dynamic leader in the arts sector. She also serves as a marketing specialist for Plymouth District Library, further showcasing her dedication to creative communication and outreach.
“The Scarab Club has been a cornerstone of Detroit’s artistic community for over a century,” said Jackson.
“I am honored to join this historic institution and look forward to building on its legacy while creating new opportunities for artists and art lovers alike.”
In her new role, Jackson will oversee exhibition planning, artist relations, and program development, working closely with the Executive Director and Exhibition Committee to shape the Scarab Club’s artistic vision.
Transforming comes to mind. I think art does that to any space, and it’s changing what that space is and was from that point on; it can never be the same once art has been, so transformation or transforming is what art means to me,” Jackson said.
Jackson is looking forward to and excited about the upcoming exhibit poster exhibition and creating the space for artists. As she steps into this pivotal position, Detroit’s arts community eagerly anticipates the innovative and inclusive direction she will bring to one of the city’s most treasured institutions.
“Expanding the notion of what art looks like, feels like, and who enjoys and experience it, that’s what I’m looking forward to doing. And I feel like I’m already starting to do that.”
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