We are sad to announce the passing of our artist and beloved friend Danny Simmons (1953-2026). Danny was a visual artist, writer, poet, philanthropist, civic leader and creative supporter.
Daniel Simmons, Jr. grew up in Hollis, Queens, a multicultural neighborhood of New York. His father, Daniel Simmons, Sr., worked in the New York school system as a professor of black history, served as a civic activist, and wrote poetry. His mother, Evelyn Simmons was an artist at heart who painted and created crafted projects. Danny’s brothers, Russell Simmons and Joseph ‘Rev Run’ Simmons were integral to his life path as co-founders of Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation (1995). The non-profit organization’s mission was to provide art programs that built a bridge for artists of color to receive opportunities through exhibitions, events and art education. After Danny moved to Philadelphia in 2015, he founded Rush Arts Philadelphia, providing arts access and education to disadvantaged youth in the community. In 2019, he was appointed to Philadelphia Museum of Art's African American Collections Committee.
In the 1990s, Danny lived in Brooklyn, where he became an active community leader in the arts, serving on non-profit boards for art, music, and education, including the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. He transformed his home into a gallery and through the decades, always provided space to support local artists. Danny was also a co-creator of Def Poetry Jam. From its beginnings as performances in Danny’s home and later in galleries, Def Poetry Jam became a hit HBO series from 2002 to 2007, through the work of Danny and his brother Russell as well as producers Stan Lathan, Bruce George, Bob Sumner and Deborah Pointer. The Broadway production of Def Poetry Jame won a Tony award in 2003.
Danny also shared his own poetry in several books, including I Dreamed My People Were Calling But I Couldn't Find My Way Home, and The Brown Beatnik Tomes. In 2003, Danny published his first novel, Three Days as the Crow Flies.
Danny drew inspiration for his artwork, in part from his vast collection of African tribal objects. He understood his role as an artist to be not unlike that of a priest of spiritual expert — he sought to create work that could serve as a crucial conduit of spiritual essence.
Westwood Gallery NYC became the exclusive representative for Danny Simmons artwork with a solo exhibition in 2022. This was followed by a traveling solo museum exhibition, Danny Simmons: The Journey to Everything, at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore and the Houston Museum of African American Culture, with future museum exhibitions to be announced. Danny Simmons: Visual Expressions, an exhibition of original prints is currently on view at The Butler Institute of American Art through June 28, 2026. Westwood Gallery NYC will mount a solo exhibition for Danny this September 2026, curated by James Cavello. The exhibition was previously planned with Danny to coincide with the unveiling of a three-year public art project in New York City.
Danny holds a Bachelor’s degree in social work from New York University, a Masters in public finance from Long Island University and in 2012 was a recipient of an honorary PhD in fine arts from Long Island University.
Danny Simmons is survived by his wife, Keia, his son Jamel, and his grandson, his brothers Russell Simmons (Ming Lee, Aoki Lee) and Joe Rev Run Simmons (Vanessa, Angela, Joseph, Daniel, Russell, Miley Justine and predeceased Victoria
