Celebrate Detroit’s 308th Birthday with Artists Inspired by the City

TODAY MARKS THE 308TH BIRTHDAY OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN! In order to commemorate the occasion, The Detroit Free Press ran an article this morning entitled “8 More Reasons to Love Detroit,” written by columnist, Rochelle Riley. The list of 8 is an addendum to 300 other reasons to celebrate the city - published in 2001 on the Detroit’s 300th birthday – and includes landmarks such as the Detroit River, Motown’s Hitsville USA and Comerica Park.

Park West Gallery, located in Southfield – a Detroit suburb, would like to propose the 9th (or 309th) reason to celebrate the Motor City – Detroit artists like Dominic Pangborn, Tim Yanke and Marcus Glenn. These artists continue to live and work in the area, contributing beauty, color and inspiration to their surroundings.

Shown above (left to right): Dominic Pangborn. Culture Reckoning – East Greets West (detail). 2006. | Tim Yanke. Tons of Steel (detail). 2007. | Marcus Glenn. A Dance at the Gallery (detail). 2006.

“I paint my stories,” explains Marcus Glenn, who was born in Detroit and would eventually hone his artistic skills at the city’s renowned art institution, the Center for Creative Studies. “Through art, I want to share a part of myself.”

And the artist’s roots into the city of Detroit extend even deeper. For instance,  Marcus Glenn became the first African American and youngest cartoonist to be published in The Detroit News, he commissioned large murals for Detroit automaker Daimler-Chrysler and he had his first museum exhibition at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit in 2005.

Glenn’s vividly expressive works encourage the viewer to experience what fascinates him, especially his love of jazz music. “It’s almost as if you’re sharing a piece of your soul with the public. I want people to see the love that I put into it,” says Glenn

See the full list of 8 More Reasons to Love Detroit at freep.com >>

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Do you have a positive story to share about Detroit? How will you be celebrating the Motor City’s 308th birthday? Leave a comment below with your thoughts!

Related Links:

• Learn more about these Detroit artists and view selections of their art available at Park West Gallery:
  • Tim Yanke - biography / artwork
  • Dominic Pangborn – biography / artwork
  • Marcus Glenn – biography / artwork
• Discover more about other favorite Park West artists bio.parkwestgallery.com

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