Chloe Dukes' art makes prime time

Chloe Dukes' art makes prime time

NBC show “Kenan” uses prints by South Bend native Chloe Dukes as part of set design.

Written by Kathy Borlik, Tribune Columnist, as seen in the South Bend Tribune

Budding artist.Chloe Dukes, Integrated New Media Studies BFA '17.

It took a few years for Chloe to decide that art was her future. It has worked out.

A designer from NBC’s “Kenan” show recognized her talent and incorporated two pieces of her prints into a set design in the pilot episode of the Kenan Thompson comedy in February.

Right over a desk, there it was. She was thrilled to pieces.

Chloe is originally from South Bend, an Adams High School grad and the daughter to Gail and Howard Dukes. Yes, that Howard Dukes from The Tribune.

She’s currently working on her master’s in art administration at Indiana University Bloomington. She taught art for several years and worked at the South Bend Museum of Art.

How did this all happen with “Kenan” and the set designer? She said it was luck and Instagram. She got busy and posted some of her art during the quarantine period. The art was shared and shared again. Until someone from the show found it. The set designer for "Kenan" was looking for a strong representation of Black women. Chloe’s untitled work was just what the designer wanted.

“I got a message from the designer.” She didn’t take it seriously right away. “I Googled it, and it was legitimate. I was so excited.”

For the show, Chloe basically knew it was going to be on a shelf in a scene.

Chloe is also working on some murals in Bloomington for Artisan Alley. She is on track to graduate next fall.

Mom Gail said she wanted her daughter to follow her heart. “You never know what babies are going to do, but as a child, she loved texture and colors. She took notebooks to church. I knew she was an artist. We told her to do what makes your heart sing.”

And it has been singing for a few years.

Howard said they are very proud of her and excited that her dreams are coming true.

Chloe told her mother that she was inspired by an art teacher at Holy Cross School, Jen Sweazy. “Mrs, Sweazy saw something in Chloe’s art,” Gail said. Jen currently teaches at St. Joseph Catholic.

Jen said she remembers Chloe and her creativity. “I always knew Chloe had a gift when I saw her drawing women in her thought-up fashion designs. It’s funny how so many years later something like that sticks with you.”

Jen said Chloe is an example of the importance of art education and giving kids a chance to explore. “It just takes one, one person to say, ‘That’s good. I see you.’ Kids just want to be seen and appreciated.”

We can’t wait to see what is next.

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