Ed Dwight joined the U.S. Air Force after obtaining a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Arizona State University. In 1961 he was chosen by the United States President John F. Kennedy to enter the experimental test pilot program to become the first African American Astronaut. However the untimely death of the U.S. President may have prevented him from going into space. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Dwight.
He resigned from the Air Force in 1966 and became a Renaissance Man; an IBM Computer Systems Engineer, a Aviation Consultant , a Real Estate Developer and Construction Entrepreneur but focused his energy on art and earned an Masters Degree in Fine Arts sculpture from the University of Denver in 1977. He had only became an engineer because of his dad, who was Edward Dwight Sr., who played second base for the Kansas City Monarchs, the longest running team in the Negro Baseball league. As a results of following his own passion he became one of the most prolific and insightful sculptors in America.
His first serious artist work was in celebration of the Colorado’s first African American Lt. Governor, George Brown. He was then commissioned by the Colorado Centennial Commission to create a series of bronzes titled, “Black Frontiers in the American West.” With the support of The National Parks Service the 50 bronze were on exhibit for several years throughout the United States.
Here are some of his memorial sculptors: Texas History – Austin TX
SC African American History – Columbia SC
Underground railroad – Detroit MI.
Underground railroad – Battle Creek MI
Rosa Parks Memorial – Grand Rapids MI
Hank Arron – Atlanta GA
B.B. King Memorial – Memphis TN
Dizzy Gillespie – Cheraw SC
Ed Dwight created over 100 Public Art sculptures. He has a gallery of African, Jazz, Black History, Black Western, small works and paintings.
Special life-time opportunities will come to some, but if you follow your passion and do the work you will receive your reward. As a two-time military veteran I feel like I have a little of that Tuskegee Airman and the Buffalo Soldier in me. I started writing late and I finally wrote my story. If you don’t write your story, no one else will.
H.G.M.
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