Author | Curator | DJ | Artist | Educator
Adrian Loving is a multifaceted arts professional with over 25+ years of experience in the global creative scene. He has curated exhibitions, music festivals, and public programming at renowned venues such as the Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art (DC), The Andy Warhol Museum (PA), and Miami Art Week (FL). His global participation and leadership at cultural festivals have enriched his insights into contemporary art and dance music culture, informing his creative service to the community.
Loving’s recent book, Fade to Grey: Androgny, Style & Art in 80s Dance Music examines the intersection of gender, art, and fashion, focusing on iconic 1980s musicians including David Bowie, Grace Jones, and Prince. He has presented at notable conferences, including the Disco Conference at the University of Sussex and the Harvard/NYU Black Portraitures Conference in Johannesburg. His research into club culture has led to panel discussions such as Shoot to Thrill: Picturing Identity In Underground Dance Music and Walk The Night: Nightlife and Club Culture 1977-1990 further solidifying his expertise in this field. Additionally, he has appeared in the Henry Louis Gates PBS documentary Making Black America.
As a DJ | Producer, Adrian has performed domestically and internationally, including in Brazil, Spain, Malta and South Africa. His debut album, Inner Temples: Travelscapes Vol. 1, marks his first foray into producing a global music imprint on his label Field2Factory Music. His keen eye for talent in Jazz, Funk, Soul, and Afro-Diasporic music has been instrumental in curating events including the 3rd Annual Rock The Park DC: Weekender, featuring artists Jazzy Jeff, Moodymann, Just Blaze, Trouble Funk, and Lisa Shaw. Loving recently transitioned from an 11-year art faculty position at Georgetown Day High School to dedicate himself fully to art, events, and music production - furthering his positive impact on the cultural landscape.
Photo: Jungle Room - Richmond, VA, 2024 / by Meru R.
Design For Diversity is an online publishing organization that offers educational materials to teachers, students, schools, and creative institutions. The goal is to provide thought-provoking content that mixes art, music, gender, and social justice themes — created by in-house writers or commissioned works by select artists. Fade To Grey: Androgyny, Style, & Art In 80s Dance Music is the first project produced by Design For Diversity.
— Adrian Loving
