DJ is a neon artist, educator, and the owner of Hex Neon in Durham, North Carolina. She is a founding member of the Neon Makers Guild, a community dedicated to supporting neon education and promoting transparent and ethical practices in neon production.

She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Metal Design from Millersville University and a Master of Fine Arts in Metal Design from East Carolina University. During her final year of graduate studies, she started to transition from metalwork to neon by apprenticing at The Neon Company in Atlanta, where she pursued extensive knowledge of illuminated glass tubing, developing a lasting passion for neon art.

In addition to her work with metals and neon, James served as the Arts Program Director at The Eureka Springs School of the Arts for four years. In this role, she was responsible for recruiting artists and educators for week-long classes covering a variety of regional crafts, including blacksmithing, painting, basket weaving, ceramics, jewelry making, and woodworking.

She co-hosts “”The Neon Nonsense Podcast”” and has presented at several conferences, including the 2019 Yuma Art Symposium, the 2023 Glass Arts Society Conference in Detroit, the 2020 San Francisco Neon Speaks Conference, and at The Museum of Neon Art in Los Angeles. Her artwork has been exhibited across North America and is currently showcased in the gift shop at the North Carolina Museum of Art, The Porter Price Collection at The Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte, and The School House Gallery at STARworks in Star N.C.

www.hexneon.com