Cole M. James

Associate Professor | BFA Animation

Education

Master of Fine Arts in Painting & Digital Media, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California
Bachelor of Arts, California State University at San Bernardino
2007 AS Riverside Community College
2007 AA Riverside Community College

Bio and Affiliation

Cole M James is an interdisciplinary artist and educator whose work spans digital media, installation, social practice, curation, and visual storytelling. Rooted in diasporic memory, identity, and spiritual abstraction, zhir’s art practice engages both digital production and the analog collecting of lived experiences, often centering collaborative engagement and community–based arts initiatives.

Zi holds an MFA in Installation & Digital Media from Claremont Graduate University and a BA in Painting from California State University, San Bernardino. James has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Alfred B. Friedman Grant, Walker Parker Artist Fellowship, and Mignon Schweitzer Award, and served as the 2019–20 Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation Artist in Residence. Zhir’s work has been exhibited in New York, Miami, Korea, and throughout Los Angeles, including Holding Half the Sky at Roberts Projects (curated by Jill Moniz and Betye Saar) and Wayward, a two–person exhibition curated by LA Times critic David Pagel.

James is a community collaborator, having worked with organizations such as Justice LA, artworxLA, Amnesty International, Liberated Arts Collective, Los Angeles Nomadic Division, Project 51, the Hammer Museum, LACMA, the California African American Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and Michelada Think Tank. Through teaching, public art projects, and international workshops, James fosters inclusive spaces that support radical imagination, critical thought, and cross–cultural connection.

Awards and Honors

2024
- Precipice Fund Grant Recipient–Portland Institute of Contemporary Art
- Teaching Excellence Award – Otis College of Art
2022–23
- Faculty Development Grant – Otis College of Art
2021–22
- Faculty Development Grant – Otis College of Art
2020
- Curriculum Development Grant – Otis College of Art
- ESMOA Film Festival Award Designer
2019
- Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation Fellow
2015
- Human Rights Leadrship Fellow – Amnesty International
2014
- Fiscal Sponsorship– Hatchfund
2010
- Art Merit Fellowship – Claremont Graduate University
- Minority Fellowship – Claremont Graduate University
- Certificate – Preparing Future Faculty & Curriculum Development Program – Claremont Graduate University
2009
- Walker Parker Fellowship – Claremont Graduate University
2008
- Albert B Friedman Grant – Claremont Graduate University
2007
- Studio Art Commencement Speaker
2007
- Mignon Schweitzer Award – Cal State San Bernardino
- Best in Show Juried Exhibition – Cal State San Bernardino
2006
- Innovations in Painting Award – Cal State San Bernardino
2006
- Certificate in Special Congressional Recognition – Cal State San Bernardino

Professional Accomplishments and Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions

2024
- Curator – Converge Vertex – Santa Monica College + Black Lunch Table
2022
- Call Them In, William Roland Gallery of Fine Art Cal Lutheran University Thousands Oaks, CA
2019
- One Day, Performance Accra, Ghana
- 3 Movements, Carolyn Glasoe Baily Foundation Ojai, CA
2013
- Fusion MIA, Artist Muse Productions Wynwood (Miami), FL
2011
- Fresh, Fruit Robert V Fullerton Museum San Bernardino, CA
2010
- Ontogeny, Peggy Phelps Gallery Claremont, CA

Selected Group Exhibitions

2023
- David Hammons, Joan, The Garden Los Angeles CA
- De–Lie–Luh, Sur Biennale, Harris Gallery, Lavern CA
2022
- B–LA–M, Goethe Institute, Los Angeles CA
2021
- Art Beyond Survival–The Collective–Los Angeles, CA
- 9 Voices –Launch Gallery–Los Angeles, CA
2019
- Fierce Generosity 2.0, Burnet Fine Art+ Advisory, Wayzata, MN
- Radical Reading Room–Studio Museum Harlem–New York, NY
- De Colores Means All of US–Sur Biennale–Los Angeles, CA
2018
- Surreal By Nature, SBMCA + Hotel Indigo, Santa Barbara
- Holding Half The Sky – Roberts Projects – Culver City, CA
- Dirty Looks On Location–Jewels Catch/Union–Los Angeles, CA
- Gut Friends –Porch Gallery – Ojai, CA
- US – Peggy Phelps Gallery – Claremont, CA
2017
- Diasporgasm–South Bay Contemporary – Los Angeles, CA
- Black Mirror–Charlie James Gallery – Los Angeles, CA
- Black Women Artist for Black Lives Matter – Project Row Houses – Houston, TX
2016
- Skin–Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery – Los Angeles, CA
- Our Prime Property – Online Exhibition
2015
- Yes All Women – East LA Women’s Center – Los Angeles, CA
- Primo Lane – Outpost Projects–Joshua Tree, CA
- Savage Sentimentality – Wignall Museum – Rancho Cucamonga CA
2014
- Play The LA River – Project 50 – Los Angeles, CA
- Savage Sentimentality – Cerritos College Gallery–Cerritos, CA
- Transforming Feminisms – PS Zask Gallery – Rolling Hills Estate CA
2013
- Wayward – Peggy Phelps Gallery – Claremont, CA
- Doing Pennants – Fifth Floor Gallery – Los Angeles, CA
2012
- Abject Deco – PS Zask Art Gallery – Rolling Hills Estate CA
- Oasis – Shangrila Exhibitions – Joshua Tree, CA
- Medicine Chest – Lux Exhibition – Burbank, CA
2011
- Single Fare – Sloan Fine Art – New York, NY
- Inviting Internationally – Gallery Iang – Seoul, Korea
2009
- 29 by 92–Sam & Alfreda Maloof Foundation–Alta Loma, CA

Publications

Print Media+Publications

2021
- Liberation Tarot Deck, PM Press
2020
- Remote Control, East of Borneo
- How To Survive A quarantine, Liberated Arts Collective
2014
- ARTICULATE II, Fantastic Heliotherapy Publication
2011
- ARTICULATE I, Fantastic Heliotherapy Publication
2010
- Objective Affection Fantastic, Heliotherapy Publication

Website Publications Videos

2022
- Love Berto + Cole James Eric Minh Swenson Art Films
2020
- Black University
2018
- Lady Scumbag
2016
- - Our Prime Property

Visiting Artist Lectures/Presentations/Critiques

2022
- Stable Change: Enter Rhythm Life Long Burning Network, Berlin, Keynote Speaker
2020
- How to Survive in Quarantine, Liberated Art Collective, Facilitator
- Road Trip Ghana, Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation, Lecturer
- Artist Lecture, Wignall Museum, Chaffey College, Lecturer
- Visiting Artist Conversation, Claremont Graduate University, Lecturer
2019
- Include Me, Diversity Equity & Inclusion AICAD, Presenter
2018
- Designing Empathy, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego Workshop Facilitator
2016
- Analog Dissident, Lecturer
2015
- Lecture: Savage Sentimentality, Chaffey Community College, Lecturer
2014
- Play The LA River – Project 51,Workshop Facilitator
2012
- Mapping the Metropolis: HeArt Project LA & La Plaza de Culture y Artes, Workshop Coordinator
2009
- Annotations from the Past: Kara Walker, Pomona Museum Panelist

Collaborative Projects

2024
- Liberation Tarot Panel Discussion, Philosophical Research Society, Los Angeles CA, Panelist
- Paletas Communal Social, City of Portland, Portland OR Co–Facilitator
2023
- Radical Hope/Black Mattering, Othering & Belonging Institute–Online
2022
- Open House: New Trends in Philosophy House Of Beautiful Business,
- Paletas Communal San Deigo, CA
2020
- Why Abstraction: Youth Justice Coalition Liberated Arts Collective, Los Angeles CA
2018
- Books That Breathe California African America Museum, Los Angeles CA
- Beyond Cages an Abolitionist Summit Justice LA, Lecturer, Los Angeles CA
- We Wanted a Revolution: Black Radical Women 1965–85, California African American Museum, Workshop Facilitator, Los Angeles CA
- Liberated Arts Collective District 11 Transitional Housing, Workshop Facilitator, Los Angeles CA
- We Wanted a Revolution: Black Radical Women, 1965–85 Symposium CAAM Los Angeles CA

- Experimenting: Art+Ideas HeArt Project LA & Hammer Museum, Workshop Facilitator
  Los Angeles CA
2017
- Paletas SaMo City Of Santa Monica
- Cruising Kchung @ The Getty, Los Angeles CA
- LA Bird Day UCLA, Los Angeles CA
2016
- Black Mountain College: Experimenting: Art & Ideas Artworx LA & Hammer
  Los Angeles CA
- Human Rights Leadership Conference Amnesty International St Louis, MO
2014
- Play The LA River Project 51 & UCLA Los Angeles CA
2012
- Mapping the Metropolis LA Plaza & Artworx LA Los Angeles CA
- Iconic Women: HeArt Project LA & Hammer Museum,Workshop Facilitator Los Angeles CA
- Design In A Modern Way: HeArt Project LA& LACMA, Workshop Facilitator
  Los Angeles CA
2011
- Revisions of LA: Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions,Workshop Facilitator
  Los Angeles CA

Collections

Hammer Museum Permanent Collection
The Getty Permanent Collection
University of LaVerne Permanent Collection
Robert & Frances Fullerton Museum Permanent Collection
Diane Klein Collection
Sara Goodman Collection

Professional Service & Development

2024
- Design + Drawing Area Head in Animation
- K–12 Partnership Committee
- Rank + Promotion Committee
2022
- 2D Area Head in Foundations
- Black Creative Institute Faculty Mentor
2023
- LGBTQ+ Committee
2022
- Adobe Max
2021
- Adobe Max
2020
- Current Black Creatives Institute
- Technology Covid Response Committee
2020–2022
- Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee
- DEI Statement Committee
- DEI Accountability Committee
- DEI Marketing Committee
- DEI Curriculum Committee
2019–2025
- Interdisciplinary Curriculum Committee
2017
- Diversity Council
- Personnel Committee
2011
- Design Based Learning: Art Center College of Art & Design
2009
- Grant Writing Seminar
- Non–Profit Organization Seminar

Awards Grants Fellowships

2024
- Precipice Fund Grant Recipient–Portland Institute of Contemporary Art
- Teaching Excellence Award – Otis College of Art
2022–23
- Faculty Development Grant – Otis College of Art
2021–22
- Faculty Development Grant – Otis College of Art
2020
- Curriculum Development Grant – Otis College of Art
- ESMOA Film Festival Award Designer
2019
- Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation – Fellow
2015
- Human Rights Leadership Fellow – Amnesty International
2014
- Fiscal Sponsorship– Hatchfund
2010
- Art Merit Fellowship – Claremont Graduate University
- Minority Fellowship – Claremont Graduate University
- Certificate –Preparing Future Faculty & Curriculum Development Program – Claremont Graduate University
2009
- Walker Parker Fellowship – Claremont Graduate University
2008
- Albert B Friedman Grant – Claremont Graduate University
2007
- Studio Art Commencement Speaker
- Mignon Schweitzer Award – Cal State San Bernardino
- Best in Show Juried Exhibition – Cal State San Bernardino
2006
- Innovations in Painting Award– Cal State San Bernardino
- Certificate in Special Congressional Recognition – Cal State San Bernardino

Teaching Experience

2025Current Associate Professor – Otis College of Art
2018– Assistant Professor – Otis College of Art
2016–2017 Adjunct Professor – Otis College of Art
2018 Lecturer Claremont Graduate University
2015–2018 Adjunct Professor – University of LaVerne
2015 Adjunct Professor – Pepperdine University
2015–2016 Lecturer – Otis College
2011–2015 Educational Associate – Otis College of Art
2012–2015 Workshop Coordinator – Artworx LA
2011–2015 Teaching Artist – Artworx LA
2010–2022 Adjunct Professor – Santa Monica College
2010 Digital Media Instructor
2009 Teaching Assistant Scripps College
1998–2008 Visiting Dance Instructor – Valley View High School

Consultancies

Artist Infrastructure Initiative, Now Be Here
Baseman Studios
Paletas Communal Social + City of San Deigo
Paletas Communal Social

Curatorial Projects

2024 Converge Vertex, Barrett Gallery, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA
2010 Spaces In Between Igniting Conversations Among Disciplines, Curator
2010 World on Fire Conference: Hybrid Identity in Art, CGU Curator

Clients and Employment History

Artiwox LA
Now Be Here
Artist Muse
Baseman Studios
City of Los Angeles