Art News. Vasari Codex

trending_up market schedule May 12, 2026 visibility 38 link 19 artists, 5 galleries

‘I am very decisive’: designer Jennifer Gilbert on what she collects and why

Designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Jennifer Gilbert, based in Detroit, is selling select works from her contemporary art and design collections at Sotheby's in New York this spring to fund the opening of her own cultural space, Lumana, in Detroit's Little Village neighborhood. Highlights include Joan Mitchell's 1976 canvas *Loom II* (est. $5m-$7m) and Kenneth Noland's 1958 *Circle* (est. $4m-$6m), with proceeds supporting new generations of artists and institutions. Gilbert, who serves on the boards of Cranbrook Academy of Art and BasBlue, recently featured works from her collection in the exhibition *Seen/Scene* at the Shepherd art space.

newspaper The Art Newspaper open_in_new Read original

trending_up market schedule Apr 17, 2026 visibility 20 link 5 artists

Jennifer Gilbert Consigns Blue-Chip Works to Sotheby’s to Fund Detroit Arts Space

Philanthropist Jennifer Gilbert is consigning a selection of blue-chip postwar artworks to Sotheby’s this spring to fund Lumana, a new arts nonprofit in Detroit. The auction highlights include Joan Mitchell’s 'Loom II', estimated at $5 million to $7 million, and a significant target-style painting by Kenneth Noland that could set a new auction record for the artist. The collection also features works by George Rickey and Harry Bertoia, emphasizing a cohesive blend of midcentury abstraction and design.

newspaper ARTnews open_in_new Read original

article news schedule Dec 2, 2025 visibility 16 link 4 artists

jennifer gilbert lumana detroit 2720447

Entrepreneur and art collector Jennifer Gilbert has founded Lumana, a new non-profit arts organization in Detroit's Little Village neighborhood. Housed in a repurposed 21,000-square-foot former shipbuilding and storage facility at Stanton Yards, the space is being adapted by SO–IL architectural firm with landscape design by OSD. Slated to open in Fall 2027, Lumana will feature two exhibition halls, a café, bookstore, auditorium, and educational spaces, and will house Gilbert's foundation. Gilbert plans to draw on her private art collection for exhibitions, including an inaugural show focused on Cranbrook Art Museum's Detroit collection, and is considering curatorial fellowships to commission new site-specific work.

newspaper Artnet News open_in_new Read original

museum exhibitions schedule Apr 29, 2026 visibility 22 link 11 artists, 4 galleries

How Detroit’s Art Scene Is Ushering in a New Chapter for the City

Detroit's art scene is experiencing a resurgence, marked by the reopening of the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) after an eight-month renovation. The museum, now renamed the Julia Reyes Taubman Building, unveiled four new exhibitions, including a career survey of local artist Olayami Dabls titled "Olayami Dabls: Detroit Cosmologies," his first solo museum show in over 40 years. The reopening follows a 2020 reckoning over toxic workplace allegations, leading to the appointment of co-directors Jova Lynne and Marie Madison-Patton, who have refocused the institution on accessibility, civic engagement, and local contemporary art.

newspaper Vogue open_in_new Read original

museum exhibitions schedule Apr 17, 2026 visibility 16 link 11 artists

Harry Bertoia Gets His Moment

The city of Detroit is experiencing a significant Harry Bertoia revival, centered around the rediscovery and restoration of a massive 26-foot suspended sculpture. Originally commissioned in 1970 for a Michigan mall and long presumed lost or destroyed during building demolitions, the steel-wire and brass work was found languishing in a basement in 2017. Following an extensive restoration process, the monumental piece has been installed in General Motors' new global headquarters at the historic Hudson’s site, a feat that required complex engineering and a five-story opening in the building's facade.

newspaper Hyperallergic open_in_new Read original

person people schedule May 9, 2025 visibility 21 link 12 artists

'I do believe in love at first sight': plastic surgeon Charles Boyd on why his heart rules his head in matters of art

Plastic surgeon Charles Boyd, based in Michigan and deeply involved in the Detroit art scene, discusses his art collection and passion for visual art in an interview with The Art Newspaper. Boyd chairs the board at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, serves on the board of the Detroit Institute of Arts, and is on the acquisitions committee of the Studio Museum in Harlem. His collection, which began in earnest in 2004 after inheriting art from his father, includes works by prominent Black American artists such as Ming Smith, Kerry James Marshall, Titus Kaphar, Deborah Roberts, and Sanford Biggers. He shares stories about his first purchase (a sculptural work from Côte d'Ivoire), his most recent acquisition (by the late Cuban artist Belkis Ayón), and a regret over not buying a Norman Lewis painting when he was a resident.

newspaper The Art Newspaper open_in_new Read original

museum exhibitions schedule Apr 25, 2026 visibility 19 link 3 artists, 2 galleries

MOCAD Reopens with New Exhibitions from Detroit Artists

Detroit's Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCAD) has reopened after an eight-month closure for construction, unveiling four new exhibitions as part of its 2026 Spring Exhibition and 20th anniversary. The renovations include a new HVAC system, educational space, and windows that allow passersby to see inside. The building has been renamed the Julia Reyes Taubman Building in honor of the late co-founder, whose family contributed $1.8 million toward the $3 million first phase. Mayor Mary Sheffield toured the exhibitions at an April 23 media preview, praising the museum's role in community healing and access. Featured exhibitions include "Olayami Dabls: Detroit Cosmologies," the first retrospective of the artist's nearly 50-year career, showcasing his evolution from figurative acrylics to abstract collage.

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trending_up market schedule Apr 17, 2026 visibility 31 link 14 artists

Collector Jennifer Gilbert Is Selling Modernist Masterpieces to Fund Her New Arts Space

Jennifer Gilbert, the Detroit-based entrepreneur and philanthropist, is auctioning a selection of Modernist masterpieces from her private collection to fund Lumana, a new nonprofit arts organization. The sales, scheduled for May and June at Sotheby’s New York, include high-profile works by Joan Mitchell and Kenneth Noland, with an overall fundraising goal exceeding $10 million.

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article news schedule Jan 5, 2026 visibility 13 link 3 artists

rediscovered harry bertoia sculpture gm global headquarters 1234768788

A long-lost 1970 Harry Bertoia hanging sculpture, commissioned for a mall in Flint, Michigan, has been restored and installed in the atrium of General Motors’ new global headquarters in Detroit. The 26-foot-tall work, made of brazed steel rods in Bertoia's signature "sunlit straw" technique, was discovered in 2017 in the basement of a demolished mall, damaged and covered in dust. The city of Southfield purchased it, and after extensive restoration, it now hangs in GM’s Hudson’s Detroit building.

newspaper ARTnews open_in_new Read original

museum exhibitions schedule Sep 13, 2025 visibility 17 link 3 artists

Jamea Richmond-Edwards: Another World and Yet the Same September 13, 2025 — June 14, 2026 - Wellin Museum

The Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art at Hamilton College will present "Jamea Richmond-Edwards: Another World and Yet the Same" from September 13, 2025, to June 14, 2026. Curated by Alexander Jarman, the exhibition features a large body of newly created work alongside mixed-media paintings from the past seven years, exploring race, class, and identity. Richmond-Edwards draws on her Detroit roots, incorporating music genres like jazz, soul, Motown, techno, and hip hop, as well as imagery from school marching bands. The title references a 17th-century dystopian novel by Joseph Hall, and the artist adapts its narrative through a fictional character, Iceberg, who leads a voyage to Antarctica to establish an egalitarian society, addressing themes of climate change and self-determination.

newspaper Hamilton College open_in_new Read original

rate_review review schedule May 11, 2026 visibility 12 link 6 artists, 4 galleries

Carole Harris’ Origin Story in “This Side of the River” at MOCAD

The article reviews Carole Harris's solo exhibition "This Side of the River" at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD), curated by Abel Gonzalez Fernandez. The show features twenty fiber pieces and archival materials spanning from 1966 to the present, tracing Harris's creative evolution and her responses to Detroit's social and urban changes. It highlights early works like "Potpourri" (1976) and "Black Jack" (1976) from her 1977 debut at Gallery 7, a Black Power-era space founded by Charles McGee, and later pieces such as "Down the Road a Piece" (2003) that mark her shift toward improvisational, abstract compositions.

newspaper Newcity Art open_in_new Read original

museum exhibitions schedule Mar 7, 2026 visibility 16 link 2 artists

Jack White’s first visual art show to open in London this spring

Musician Jack White is set to debut his first solo visual art exhibition, titled ‘These Thoughts May Disappear’, at Damien Hirst’s Newport Street Gallery in London. Running from May 29 to September 13, the show will feature a diverse array of mediums including sculpture, furniture design, and large-scale installations, many of which are constructed from reclaimed industrial materials and hardware remnants.

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article local schedule Apr 24, 2026 visibility 15 link 4 artists, 5 galleries

Hidden Detroit: Art Galleries You May Have Overlooked

This Detroit City Guide article highlights ten overlooked art galleries and cultural spaces across the city, including Wasserman Projects in Eastern Market, the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery at Wayne State University, Center Galleries at the College for Creative Studies, Galerie Camille, the historic Scarab Club, Detroit Artists Market, Ellen Kayrod Gallery, Schinkel Fine Art, and the N'Namdi Center for Contemporary Art. Each venue is described with its unique focus, from diaspora-inspired ceramics and student showcases to artist residencies and senior artist platforms, with several exhibitions closing in April 2025.

newspaper Hour Detroit Magazine open_in_new Read original

museum exhibitions schedule Sep 23, 2025 visibility 19 link 7 artists, 9 galleries

Detroit’s first fair, Season, revs up for inaugural edition

Detroit will host its first contemporary art fair, Season, from 25-28 September at Michigan Central, the city's renovated former train station. The fair debuts with 11 galleries and a special exhibition featuring ten local artists, evolving from Detroit Art Week, which was launched in 2018 by curator and entrepreneur Amani Olu. Olu, a collector himself, reimagined the festival as Season to fill a gap in the local cultural landscape, offering affordable booth costs of $2,500 and an online viewing room. Participating galleries include four from Michigan, four from New York City, and one each from Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Toronto, alongside talks, studio visits, and large-scale installations.

newspaper The Art Newspaper open_in_new Read original

article local schedule Dec 8, 2025 visibility 8 link 3 artists

part man part machine robocop statue detroit monument 1234765572

A bronze statue of RoboCop, the cyborg protagonist from Paul Verhoeven's 1987 film, has been installed in Detroit nearly 15 years after a grassroots campaign began. The 11-foot, 3,500-pound monument was sculpted by Detroit artist Giorgio Gikas of Venus Bronze Works, funded by a 2012 Kickstarter that raised over $67,000, and finally placed at Eastern Market after years of legal hurdles and location changes.

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museum exhibitions schedule Apr 24, 2026 visibility 18 link 2 artists

First Comprehensive Museum Retrospective For Detroit Artist And ‘Bead Man’ Olayami Dabls

The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) will present "Olayami Dabls: Detroit Cosmologies," the first comprehensive museum retrospective for Detroit artist Olayami Dabls, running from April 25 to July 12, 2026. Dabls, who began his career as a curator at the Afro-American Museum in Detroit (now the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History), traces his artistic journey to a transformative moment in the 1970s when he opened a box of African masks that his colleagues feared to handle. This experience led him to investigate how Hollywood and popular culture had demonized African material culture, associating it with horror movies and voodoo, and inspired decades of work as an artist, storyteller, cultural historian, and civic champion.

newspaper Forbes open_in_new Read original

museum exhibitions schedule Jul 23, 2025 visibility 10 link 1 artist

Emily Legleitner - University Art Department Gallery

Emily Legleitner, a Detroit-based interdisciplinary artist working in print media and installation, presents her solo exhibition "My Life Is the Size of My Room" at the University Art Department Gallery from August 18 to September 26. The show includes a reception and welcome back party on September 4. Legleitner's work explores autobiographical experiences and emotions tied to anxiety, mortality, longing, and the human condition.

newspaper Saginaw Valley State University open_in_new Read original

museum exhibitions schedule Jun 13, 2025 visibility 6 link 1 artist

Detroit’s Cass Café reopens for art exhibit honoring Detroit artists Jim and Lucille Nawara

Detroit's Cass Café, a beloved cultural hub that closed in 2022 after nearly 30 years, is temporarily reopening for a summer art exhibition honoring artists Jim and Lucille Nawara. The show, titled "Retrospective: A Life in Art," opens June 21 at the original location on Cass Avenue, presented by the gallery detroit contemporary. The Nawaras, central figures in Detroit's creative community for over 50 years, will attend the opening; their work spans paintings, prints, and drawings rooted in nature and memory, and has been exhibited at major institutions like the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Cleveland Museum of Art.

newspaper Detroit Metro Times open_in_new Read original

article policy schedule Apr 28, 2025 visibility 6 link 1 artist

Detroit Art Institutions Resist Political Challenges to Diversity

Detroit art institutions, including the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, are actively resisting political pressures and legislative challenges aimed at rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The article details how these organizations are reaffirming their commitments to diverse programming, hiring practices, and community engagement despite a broader political climate that has targeted DEI efforts in the arts and education sectors.

newspaper The New York Times open_in_new Read original

article local schedule Apr 23, 2026 visibility 20 link 2 artists

Metro Events Guide: From art exhibitions to house shows, we’ve got you covered this week in Metro Detroit

This week's Metro Detroit events guide highlights several art exhibitions and cultural happenings from April 23–30. The Elaine L. Jacob Gallery at Wayne State University presents 'Keith Haring: Subway Drawings' (April 17–August 15), featuring 25 drawings created by Haring between 1980 and 1985. Wayne State also hosts its 2026 Undergraduate Art Exhibition (April 24–May 8) showcasing student work in fine arts, art history, and design, with an opening reception on April 24. That same evening, the Wayne State University Graduate Artist Coalition holds an open studio and gallery event with live music and refreshments. Additional events include a 12-hour party at Marble Bar & Lincoln Factory, a house music event by Specter at an undisclosed location, an R&B night at Big Pink, and an Oakland University Film Showcase.

newspaper WDET 101.9 FM open_in_new Read original

trending_up market schedule Apr 22, 2026 visibility 13 link 3 artists

Jennifer Gilbert selling art worth millions to aid Detroit nonprofit

Detroit philanthropist and entrepreneur Jennifer Gilbert is selling major artworks from her personal collection at Sotheby’s this spring, with proceeds going to Lumana, a new Detroit-based arts nonprofit she founded. The collection will be offered across multiple sales, including The Now and Contemporary Evening Auction and Contemporary Day Auction in May, followed by Important Design in June. Highlights include Kenneth Noland’s 1958 painting “Circle” (estimated $4–6 million, a record for the artist) and Joan Mitchell’s 1976 painting “Loom II” (estimated $5–7 million).

newspaper Detroit Free Press open_in_new Read original

museum exhibitions schedule May 5, 2026 visibility 16 link 19 artists, 2 galleries

What We Saw at Buffalo Prescott’s 'Vernal 2026'

Buffalo Prescott’s Detroit headquarters is hosting 'Vernal 2026,' a spring-inspired contemporary arts exhibition running through June 27, with a public opening on May 22. The exhibition features works by resident artists including Jessica Wildman Katz, Halima Afi Cassells, Cyrah Dardas, Sara Nickleson, and Tony Printz, alongside metro Detroit and international artists. Highlights include Katz's botanical rabbit sculpture 'Kindling,' Cristina Umaña's whimsical 'Mesa De Centro' (a stack of white tables with human-like limbs), and Amelia Burns's photographic diptych 'Evil Eye' and 'Evil Eye Transmuted onto Organza, 2026,' which explores contemporary American culture through collage.

newspaper Hour Detroit Magazine open_in_new Read original

museum exhibitions schedule Oct 10, 2025 visibility 16 link 7 artists

A Blueprint of Resonance: Building Detroit’s Artistic Future

A Blueprint of Resonance: Building Detroit’s Artistic Future is a multimedia exhibition presented by DETROIT SALON, running from October 18 to November 9, 2025. Curated by Juana Williams, the show highlights 18 Detroit-based artists who build on the city's legacy of collaboration and community care, drawing from historic institutions like Pewabic Pottery and the Scarab Club as well as artist-led movements such as the Cass Corridor and Gallery 7. The exhibition marks DETROIT SALON's official launch in Paris and the start of its global roadshows, ahead of its flagship event in Detroit in 2028.

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article local schedule May 14, 2026 visibility 7 link 1 artist

A long-awaited dream for local arts lovers is finally set to take center stage this weekend: The Schaap Center. 📷 by David Rodríguez Muñoz, Detroit Free Press

The Schaap Center, a long-anticipated arts venue, is finally opening this weekend, fulfilling a dream for local arts enthusiasts in the Detroit area. The center is expected to host a variety of cultural events and exhibitions, marking a significant milestone for the community's arts scene.

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candle obituary schedule Apr 20, 2026 visibility 13 link 3 artists

Cledie Taylor, Detroit’s ‘First Lady’ of Art Exhibition and Education, Dies at 100

Cledie Taylor, a pioneering Detroit artist, gallerist, and educator who championed the city's Black artisans and shaped its art curriculum, has died at the age of 100. Born in Arkansas in 1926, she moved to Detroit as a child and became a central figure in the local art scene, co-founding the influential artist collective Arts Extended in the 1950s.

newspaper The Michigan Chronicle open_in_new Read original

museum exhibitions schedule Apr 16, 2026 visibility 15 link 3 artists

"Psychedelic Soul: A Journey Through Rhythm and Time" exhibition

The Motown Museum in Detroit has unveiled its latest exhibition, "Psychedelic Soul: A Journey Through Rhythm and Time," hosted at the Esther Gordy Edwards Centre for Excellence. The showcase features a diverse array of artifacts from Motown’s experimental era, including Stevie Wonder’s Minimoog Model D synthesizer, vintage Neumann engineering equipment, and flamboyant stage costumes worn by members of The Miracles.

newspaper The Detroit News open_in_new Read original

museum exhibitions schedule Jan 25, 2026 visibility 7 link 1 artist

Local artists shine in Art Center shows

The Anton Art Center in Mount Clemens, Michigan, is presenting two winter exhibitions: the Michigan Annual LIII, featuring over 50 works from 35 artists across the state, and “Heartwork,” a themed show with nearly 40 works from 30 local artists. The Michigan Annual, now in its 53rd edition, received a record 390 submissions, making it the most competitive yet. The exhibitions run from January 31 to February 28, with an opening reception and awards ceremony on January 31.

newspaper C&G Newspapers open_in_new Read original

museum exhibitions schedule Sep 17, 2025 visibility 6 link 1 artist

Frame Work: Poster art a reflection of culture, history

The Scarab Club, a Midtown Detroit arts club and gallery, is presenting a new exhibition titled "Paper, Place, Power: The Global Language of Posters," showcasing poster art that spans music, movies, social justice, and politics. The works are drawn from local collections including Signal Return, Wayne State, 1xRun, and the Black Canon, with an international perspective contributed by L.A.-based Poster Territory, covering subjects like the environment and the war in Ukraine. The free exhibition runs until October 5, and a related talk by Es-pranza Humphrey, assistant curator at New York City's Poster House, is scheduled for a Wednesday evening.

newspaper Axios open_in_new Read original

museum exhibitions schedule Mar 13, 2026 visibility 7

Frame Work: Detroit art exhibition dives into our curious brains

Multidisciplinary artist Jamie Wineman, also known as Wolfganggang, has debuted a new solo exhibition titled "Neuroplasticity IV: Fragmented Reality" at the Metropolitan Museum of Design Detroit. The interactive installation combines design, sound, and physical elements to create a terrain that mimics the human brain's structure. Visitors are encouraged to navigate the space as active participants, exploring how life experiences can rewire cognitive pathways and reshape our perception of reality.

newspaper axios.com open_in_new Read original

article local schedule Dec 11, 2025 visibility 8

The Metro: Detroit’s Coup D’etat recognized by New York Times

Coup D’état, a boutique located on Detroit’s east side, has been recognized by the New York Times as one of the 50 Best Clothing Stores in America. It is one of only two shops in Michigan to receive this honor. Owner and founder Angela Wisenski-Cobbina opened the space in 2019 with a mission to create an inclusive retail environment accessible at all price points. In 2025, the store hosted an art exhibition celebrating the legacy of Detroit photographer Bill Rauhauser, showcasing his documentation of everyday life in the city throughout the 20th century.

newspaper WDET 101.9 FM open_in_new Read original