Founder, Creative Director & Lead Photographer Duke Wells has retired from the Art/Culture project he founded 12 years ago with the help of his wife Lisa.
Mr. Wells has been diagnosed with a terminal lung disease and has decided to spend his remaining days cherishing his wife, his animals, and his time in The Bahamas, while reviewing his life’s work and enjoying his photography book collection.
The Bahamian Project will continue under the direction of Ana-Lisa Wells and a hand-picked board of Directors including Guilden Gilbert, Donald Knowles, and Nicolas & Jane Popov.
We offer this tribute to our founder and friend.
Duke Wells: Capturing The Bahamas Through Photography and Innovation
Duke Wells (born: Patrick Cromwell) is a Detroit-born, Bahamian photographer who has not only documented the people of his island nation but also fostered its digital landscape through his entrepreneurial spirit. His career is a testament to his passion for The Bahamas and his unwavering belief in its potential.
Wells’ love for photography began at a young age. He honed his skills as a top advertising photographer in the United Stares before meeting his Bahamian wife and moving to The Bahamas in 1998, after a very successful 25 year career in photography in the United States.
Upon arriving in Nassau, Wells saw the transformative power of technology.
He and his wife Lisa started one of the first web design companies in The Bahamas. Benelda.com (Lisa’s first name is Benelda) became one of two preeminent design firms in the country. Together, they have helped dozens of Bahamian companies and individuals create an online presence, including some of the largest and most progressive companies in the country.
The company, now named CocoLupe (the names of their beloved rescue dogs) has morphed into a dynamic full service boutique advertising shop that serves the growing needs of many prominent Bahamian companies.
Recognizing the nascent potential of the internet, Duke founded BahamasB2B in 2000. B2B was the first Bahamian portal; which included the first online news in The Bahamas, a business directory, classified ads, real estate listings, message boards and an art gallery.
BahamasB2B quickly became the largest, highest traffic website in the country and was among the top 100,000 websites in the world.
This pioneering venture provided a crucial platform for Bahamian businesses to connect with a global audience, paving the way for e-commerce in The Bahamas.
Fueled by his desire to celebrate Bahamian excellence online, Wells launched the Bahamas Web Awards in 2003. This prestigious awards program recognized and honoured the best websites designed and developed by Bahamians. The Bahamas Web Awards played a significant role in encouraging the growth of a local web development industry, promoting innovation and setting high standards for Bahamian websites.
Antonius Roberts – sculptor and creator of the exclusive Best of The Bahamas Award sculpture, the top honour in The Bahamas Web Awards.
Henry Knowles – Webmaster for the Queen’s College Website, winner of the 2005 Best of The Bahamas Award.
Erica James – Curator of the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas and Presenter of the 2005 Best of The Bahamas Award.
Further demonstrating his multifaceted talents, Wells took on the directorship of Popopstudios International Center for Visual Arts. His time at Popop was instrumental in bringing fine art photography out of the shadows of the art community and into the mainstream.
Under his leadership, Popopstudios undoubtedly flourished as a platform for artistic expression and cultural exchange. With 22 artists Popopstudios became the incubator for legendary Bahamian artist John Cox to create The Current at Baha Mar, now the centerpiece of Bahamian art and culture.
Finally, in a testament to his deep love for The Bahamas, in 2012 Wells embarked on his most ambitious endeavor – The Bahamian Project. This multifaceted art photography initiative aimed to create a comprehensive photographic archive of Bahamian art, culture, history, and heritage. The Bahamian Project envisioned a space where Bahamians and the world could explore the rich tapestry of Bahamian life, documenting the character and preserving the legacy of the people who weave the fabric of Bahamian society.
The Project’s first major exhibition at the NAGB in 2013 was a milestone for photography in The Bahamas, bringing photography to the forefront of art in the nation. Duke’s 50+ portraits comprised the first solo exhibition by a foreigner at the prestigious national gallery.
Duke’s, love of the Bahamas extends beyond the people and includes the animals. Concerned with the stray dog population, Duke built and maintains the Bahamas Humane society website for free. He created their first online payment interface that has brought in tens of thousands of dollars in donations. Duke also helped arrange and fund a rescue flight of 70 stray dogs to the United States.
Throughout his time in The Bahamas, Wells has worn many hats – photographer, entrepreneur, web designer, art advocate, animal lover and innovator for Bahamian digital identity. His unwavering dedication to his island home is evident in all his endeavors.
Through his captivating photographs, he has showcased The Bahamas most precious natural resource – its people – to the world. Through web design and programming he has helped dozens of Bahamian businesses grow their online presence. With BahamasB2B, he empowered Bahamian businesses to thrive in the digital age. The Bahamas Web Awards became a cornerstone for excellence in Bahamian web development. At Popopstudios he encouraged a generation of artists, and The Bahamian Project is a cultural treasure trove of Bahamian life that provides recognition, fosters cultural awareness and creates a record of the people who form the heart and soul of the nation.
Duke Wells’ story is one of vision, innovation, and a deep love for his country. He is a true Bahamian success story, a testament to the transformative power of both artistic expression and technological advancement.
Nothing but love and respect for this man.
A brilliant artist who did so much to further the recognition of photography as a true art form in The Bahamas.
Pat and Lisa have been my dear and cherished friends since the early 1970’s.
They are outstanding artists , and more importantly, great human beings, and deserve all the accolades you shower upon them.
I pray and hope that there is a medical miracle so Pat can continue his life’s work.
My love to both of you!
Mark
Love you Duke!!!
Ive never met you but as I read I can see the contribution you and your wife have made and continue to make to our country.
Thank you.
Wow this is lovely to give him his flowers now. Happy retirement, Duke. You will be remembered.
Congratulations Duke on your retirement!
You have impacted many and have certainly created a legacy image bank through The Bahamian Project. Maybe one day a National Portrait Gallery will be established so that future generations will be able to see who the nation builders were!
Thank you for such a fine contribution to the Bahamas. Best wishes on the journey ahead. Legacy.
Thank you for the wonderful contribution that you have made to the cultural life of The Bahamas. And to your wife for sharing your story (and hers) with all of us.
Thank you for gifting yourself and talents to us. I wish you inexplicable joy and happiness. I wish you had photographed my parents. Your legacy is amazing!
A man that truly loved his work, a man that truly cared and had a heart for community. Duke has inspired my journey in photography in ways unmatched and his passion for creating has been a cornerstone for artists in this country for years. Thank you for your contributions Duke, not just as a creative, but as a friend and mentor.