'Confluent: Detroit Art and the University Art Collection' exhibition opens Sept. 22, runs through Dec. 9

The Elaine L. Jacob Gallery, Wayne State University is pleased to present Confluent: Detroit Art and the University Art Collection, Sept. 22 through Dec. 9. An opening reception (RSVP here) will be held on Thursday, Sept. 22, from 6 to 9 p.m.

“The university art collection and art created in Detroit over the past 50 years are confluent in nature. The collection is special and unique, and I believe the only collection that directly mirrors the diverse styles and artists of the community, capturing the depth and breadth of the cultural landscape," said Grace Serra, Art Collection Curator, University Art Collection. "The collection is also a reflection of the impact that Wayne State University has had on the arts in the region and throughout the nation. Wayne State University, the university art collection and the Detroit art community have been inextricably linked for decades."

This exhibition reveals how the university art collection continuously grows, and flows seamlessly, with the art that is created in Detroit today by artists who have deep connections to Wayne State.

"Unlike many other educational institutions, there is no evident 'Wayne State style,' but there is a spirit of curiosity and exploration that permeates all these works," Serra continued. "The artists in this exhibition represent the many different generations who have passed through the university. Each has been invited to explore the collection and select works that have a connection to their own, with the intention of developing an interesting dialogue to one another."

This exhibition was curated by Serra and features works by the following artists: 

• Detroit Artists: Anita Bates; Jeanne Bieri; Darryl DeAngelo Terrell; Sergio De Giusti; Mariam Ezzat; Mary Fortuna; Marcia Freedman; M. Saffell Gardner; Laura Makar; Sandra Osip; Tom Pyrzewski; John Rizzo; and Donita Simpson.
• University Art Collection: Diane Carr; John Egner; Brenda Goodman; Susan Hauptman; Douglas James; Gordon Newton; Kurt Novak; Judy Pfaff; Ellen Phelan; Robert Quigley; Ron Weil; Robert Wilbert; and Don Willett.

Covid restrictions: The James Pearson Duffy Department of Art and Art History, WSU, is committed to the health and safety of our campus and surrounding communities. To continue with programming and special events, in light of Covid-19, the university requires all guests to complete the Campus Daily Screener prior to visiting campus and adhere to all campus safety guidelines. These requirements will be regularly updated to be consistent with current WSU policies through science and recommendations. For more information, please visit wayne.edu/coronavirus. For the guest daily screener, please visit forms.wayne.edu/guest-screening

Mission of the Wayne State University Art Collection

The Wayne State University Art Collection (UAC), founded in 1968, is an evolving collection of over 7,000 works of art.  Its mission is use art to educate, inspire, foster creative thinking, and promote the advancement of social and cultural leadership.  Its primary focus is on works of art by Detroit and Regional artist. Many artists in this collection have become some of the most prominent visual artists to emerge from Detroit who have become part of the international conversation on contemporary art.  

Mission of the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery

The Elaine L. Jacob Gallery (ELIG) serves as a forum for the display of nationally and internationally significant contemporary art. The ELJG features four to five exhibitions each year that include works created by emerging and established contemporary artists.

The James Pearson Duffy Department of Art and Art History is a division of Wayne State’s College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, educating the next generation of visual artists, designers, and art historians. Wayne State University, located in the heart of Detroit’s midtown cultural center, is a premier urban research university offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 28,000 students.