Art-inspired activities dominate the weekend

Local weather forecasters are calling for record temperatures this weekend, but I'm sure that won't stop thousands of metro Detroiters from getting outside and enjoying some of the cool activities that will take place in the D this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

First up is the 22nd annual Detroit Festival of the Arts, the Motor City's free premier arts and entertainment extravaganza featuring world-renowned artists and performers. Located in the D's Midtown area, this annual outdoor fete will feature more than 100 international, regional and local artists, 10 stages with more than 100 performances, and an Arts and Crafts market. Organized by the UCCA and Wayne State University, the Detroit Festival of the Arts runs from June 6 - 8. Click here for a complete schedule of performances, directions, hours and more.

After you take in the art in Midtown, head over to Detroit's historic Pewabic Pottery for the organization's House & Garden Benefit Show. Celebrating its 18th year, this event will showcase the works of more than 70 ceramic artists. The annual fundraiser -- which is open to the public and runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 -- will also feature exhibitions, museum tours and demonstrations. Pewabic is located at 10125 East Jefferson Avenue.

Also on the agenda this weekend is the Indian Village Historic Home and Garden Tour, which marks its 35th year anniversary on Saturday, June 7. Running from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., the tour will showcase a geenrous handful of IV's glorious homes, including the Dodge and Buhl Mansions, as well as a beautiful Queen Anne at 853 Iroquois and the restored beauty located at 776 Seminole. While you're toruing, be sure to check out the Art Lot, featuring the works of 20 Detroit artists, and the historic neighborhood's Community Garden. Tour tickets are $20 each and are available at Iroquois Avenue Christ Lutheran Church, the Waldorf School on Burns, and Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church.

For more art-inspired events this weekend in Detroit, visit thedetroiter.com's comprehensive and up-to-date arts calendar here.

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Great art, great prices

Looking to update your home's look for spring, or add something to those bare walls? Now is the perfect time to do it. The Student Exhibition at CCS is right around the corner, and it is a fantastic way to buy high-quality, original artwork and at lower prices than typical galleries.

Ashley Cook, "Thank You I Love You"

Running from May 16 - 30, this year's event will showcase more than 3,500 student works of art, ranging from ceramics, furniture and sculpture to jewelry, paintings and photography.

The 2008 exhibition begins with a special Collectors' Preview and Private Reception, which runs from 5:30 - 10 p.m on Friday, May 16. Tickets are $350 each and give attendees the opportunity to select and buy student artwork first. Ticket purchase also provides access to the exclusive Collectors’ Preview Private Reception.

If $350 is more than you'd like to spend on a ticket, but you'd still like to be among the first to see the artwork and make a purchase or two, consider purchasing a $50 ticket to the General Exhibition Opening and Sale, which runs on May 16 from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Lee Ann Foshee, "Latch Hook Lizzie", Fiber

If you want to attend but don't want to pay for a ticket, the Student Exhibition continues May 17 - 30 for public viewing and sales, and admission is free. Daily hours during this time period are as follows:

Saturday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Thursday and Friday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

CCS is a private four-year college offering 11 Bachelors of Fine Arts degrees in 11 majors, and Masters of Fine Arts degrees in 2 majors. The campus is located at 201 East Kirby in Midtown.

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MassiV Growth at CAID

Three years ago, the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit (CAID) and its half dozen members moved into the art program's first home on Rosa Parks after 25 years of nomadic existence.

Now, just 3 years later, CAID is operating four venues throughout Detroit, and the organization has over 500 members.

Celebrate CAID's continued metamorphosis on May 10th, when the non-profit arts organization kicks off its 2008 exhibition season with shows at all four of its venues: the CAID; the Carriage House Gallery; Ladybug Gallery and Studios; and MassiV, the newest addition to the CAID family of galleries.

Opening Reception festivities are free and open to the public, and start at 6 p.m. on Saturday May 10th. CAID recommends parking at either CAID (5141 Rosa Parks Boulevard in Detroit) or MassiV, inside the Russell Industrial Center (1604 Clay Avenue in Detroit) and taking advantage of the free shuttle service to all four galleries.

Each of the galleries will offer a different perspective of CAID's exhibition and education vision and mission. Opening Night highlights of each gallery include:

CAID Main: the Eco Village Student Design Competition. Part of the city of Detroit's latest green initiative, this exhibition includes cutting edge solutions to vacant land usage courtesy of a faculty-led studio of architecture students from Lawrence Tech, University of Detroit Mercy and University of Michigan, who were charged with designing an eco-village on a five-acre site in Detroit's Woodbridge Neighborhood. Guests at CAID will also have the opportunity to attend the Sonic Lullaby 3.0 festival featuring live musical performances by Auburn Lull, Soundpool, Elika, Indian Guides, Crash City Saints, Sunlight Ascending, and Sey Lui. The performances begin at 9 p.m. Admission is to the music portion is $8, but is free to the exhibition.

Carriage House Gallery: the Harvest Gold Club: COLLECTING, CREATING and CLEARING OUT. A collaborative exhibition featuring the work of Madeleine Barkey, Jeanne Bieri, Teresa Petersen, the Harvest Gold Club depicts artwork within an environment that imitates a typical living room or clubhouse. The artists created the environment using material found on the curbside, including furniture, books, appliances, and knick-knacks. These cast-off items are sometimes antique, sometimes charming and sometimes utilitarian, but always worth more than their curbside appearance would indicate.

Ladybug Gallery and Studios: Curator's Choice exhibit. Featuring the work of more than a dozen artists, this exhibition includes paintings, sculpture, photography and video.

MassiV: Chido Johnson: Domestified angst – first recording. This major solo installation of new work by Chido Johnson -- a Zimbabwe-born artist who serves as the current chair of sculpture at the College for Creative Studies -- explores Johnson's personal state of cultural negotiations between Euro-American and South African cultures.

Can't make it to CAID's 2008 Exhibition Opening Night? No worries -- exhibitions at the four galleries run through August 10, 2008. For more information, please visit CAID on the Web.

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Mod hits Metro Detroit

Art deco lovers rejoice! The Michigan Modernism Exposition is right around the corner -- the big event hits the Southfield Municipal Complex on April 19 and 20 -- and the Detroit Area Art Deco Society (DAADS) is kicking off the weekend with a special preview party on Friday, April 18.

Designed to give deco-junkies first dibs on amazing 20th century antiques and fine arts, the special evening includes a sneak-peak of the expo, along with the display of a '37 Cord Phaeton; a vintage accessory fashion show; a live performance from jazz-band, SG Ensemble; and wine and appetizers. DAADS is also launching its first collectible poster at this year's event. Created by Detroit residents Chris and Lisa Heine, the poster is a graphic of Detroit's well-known and loved skyscraper, the Penobscot.

Tickets to the preview party, which runs from 7 - 10 p.m., are $50 in advance ($65 at the door) and can be purchased online here, or in person at several metro Detroit retailers. Proceeds from the event benefit DAADS scholarship, restoration and preservation programs.

“The preview party is incredible because you can be the first to purchase 20th century antiques and fine arts from merchants that travel to Michigan from the US, Canada and Europe,” said Gary Spondike, DAADS president. “DAADS is thrilled to put on the preview party once again and are so thankful to those who are joining us in making this one of our best openings.”

Not familiar with the Michigan Modernism Exposition? Featuring 20th century antiques and fine art from dealers across the US, Canada and Europe, this annual event embraces a broad selection of mid-century design in furniture, jewelry, clothing, radios, photographs, art, glass, china, silver, clocks, paintings and textiles.

The 2008 Michigan Modernism Exposition runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 19 and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 20. General admission is $8. Please visit DAADS on the Web for more information.

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Detroit: It's Worth It Exhibit

A few weeks ago, I posted on Detroit Synergy Group's (DSG) newest project, Detroit: It's Worth It. The photos are in, so I wanted to do a quick follow-up and announce the details of the exhibition.

More than 120 photographs will make up the program, which takes place at the Lofts of Merchants Row (in the former Mark England de Mode space) from 6-10 pm on Friday, February 29.

Photographs were solicited from the public in January. The only condition was that submitted images show the beauty and singularity of Detroit.

"Watching the photos come in, it's been fascinating to see what it is that makes Detroit worth it to people," said Christi Carpenter, project lead.

"We received stunning shots of local landmarks, but also intimate images that show personal connections to the city. The beauty and variety of the photos reveals a city that rewards exploration rather than a judgment based on initial impressions."

All are invited to Detroit: It's Worth It. The one-night-only program opens at 6, with live music and refreshments beginning at 8. Visit DSG on the Web for more information.

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DIA reopens after $158 million renovation

While I had a wonderful time traveling to two separate weddings this month and visiting my in laws in New York for Thanksgiving, I have to admit that it's always great to be home. Especially when major things, like the re-opening of the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), are going on around town.

DIA Interior, Image by Scotter

Closed since May 28, 2007, the DIA reopened its doors on Friday, November 23 after a six-and-a-half year, $158 million building renovation and expansion to present its world-class collection in a totally new light.

The result is the new DIA: 60,000 works. 5,000 objects. And one grand experience.

Aside from adding another 58,000 square feet to the museum and the new granite facade on the North and South Wings, the massive overhaul also brings infrastructure upgrades, increased gallery space, expanded visitor amenities, an improved museum traffic pattern, and a more visitor-friendly experience. For example, now, instead of grouping objects strictly by time period or style, many galleries are arranged according to the stories the objects have to tell. Galleries also explore themes that resonate with each visitor’s personal experiences, such as spirituality, travel, and the cycles of life.

Visitors will now find more ways to personally connect with the art, since the DIA’s renowned collection is presented in historical, social, political or spiritual contexts. Improved labels, new tours, hands-on activities, and high-tech interpretive devices add to this. When checking out the new DIA, visitors will also find an expansive new Café DIA, more seating in the galleries, a larger museum shop, and improved way-finding and visitor information.

I've only been back in town for a few days, so I haven't made it over to the museum yet. But thanks to some great local posting (check here, here, here and here) by fellow bloggers-Scotter and -Mollika* at Metroblogging Detroit, I am tided over until I can make it to the new DIA for myself.

The Detroit Institute of Arts was founded in 1885 and is recognized as one of the country’s premier art museums. The museum’s approximately 60,000 works of art comprise a multicultural survey of human creativity from prehistory through the 21st century. From the first Van Gogh to enter a U.S. museum (Self-Portrait, 1887), to Diego Rivera’s world-renowned Detroit Industry murals, the DIA’s collection reveals the scope and depth of human experience, imagination, and emotion. For more information, please click here.

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Eastern Market gets creative

Normally, Detroit's Eastern Market is associated with its array of fresh foods at bargain prices. But attendees of LAUNCH, the big bash this Friday at the market's FD Lofts, won't be talking produce or shucking peanuts. Instead, they'll be enjoying a fusion of Detroit artwork, fashion and music.

Presented by The Loft Warehouse, Wound menswear, Six Degrees and Camilo Pardo, LAUNCH aims to bring the region's fashionistas, club kids, sophisticates and artists together for an exclusive night of food, drinks, culture and entertainment.

Highlights include:

- Wound menswear fashion show;
- Camilo Pardo's Ford GT40 and artwork;
- Tasty eats from 20 Detroit restaurants;
- Techno and house by mix-masters DJ Captn 20, Mike Anthony and Scott Zacharias.

Tickets to LAUNCH are $25 in advance, $35 at the door. Proceeds from the event benefit the Children's Center, one of the country's first child guidance centers and one of the largest and most diverse child-serving agencies in Michigan today.

LAUNCH is made possible by Cintron, LaSalle Bank, Model D, Hubbell Group Development, FD Lofts, the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, Fusion, Achatz Catering, Italmoda and 6 Salon.

The nearly-completed 10,000 square foot FD Lofts are located at 3434 Russell in Detroit. For more on LAUNCH, click here or call 313.658.6400.

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