COBO ART INVITES PUBLIC TO WATCH HUBERT MASSEY PAINT PERMANENT FRESCO INSTALLMENT AT COBO CENTER
DETROIT, MI (29 March 2017) – Cobo Art and the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) are extending an invitation to the public to watch renowned Detroit artist, Hubert Massey, paint a permanent fresco masterpiece at the Riverside Entrance of the Grand Riverview Ballroom within Cobo Center. The fresco, titled “Detroit: Crossroad of Innovation,” is a 30’ x 30’ legacy piece that visually and vibrantly depicts the city in a timeline of fascinating heritage. Pictures can be found here.
The public is invited to come and watch Hubert Massey paint the fresco the following dates:
Saturday, March 31 – 10 AM – 2 PM
Saturday, April 7 & Sunday, April 8 – 10 AM – 2 PM
Sunday May 27 & Monday, May 28 – 10 AM – 2 PM
"The voice of the Detroit community has been a part of this project from the very beginning and it is important to embrace their voice and spirit with continued involvement as we move into the next phase,” said Massey. "The Arts are at the heart of everything Detroit, and it's great to have Cobo Center make it an even bigger part for visitors from all over the world to see."
An advisory committee, which included professionals representing various communities and a local high school art student, was established to help Massey identify key themes from Detroit’s history and culture to be featured within the fresco.
Massey’s distinctive frescos, tile murals and paintings can be seen in SW Detroit, Flint, Midtown, Greektown and in Grand Rapids. Hubert Massey is a Kresge Fine Arts Fellow and he has received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Grand Valley State University. He learned the technique of true fresco painting by two of the assistants who worked directly with Diego Rivera while creating the Detroit Industry Frescos at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
“We are thrilled for the installment of this historic fresco painting that authentically celebrates the Detroit community’s rich past and promising future,” said Lisa Canada, DRCFA Vice Chair and Cobo Art Chair. “We hope to share Detroit’s culture, history and accomplishments with the local community and the nearly 1.4 million visitors that come to Cobo Center annually.”
The complete Cobo Art collection includes works by internationally respected Detroit artists such as painters Gilda Snowden, Robert Sestok and Tyree Guyton along with sculptors, Ed Hamilton and Carl Milles, among others. Last July, contributions were made to Cobo Art by the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Richard and Jane Manoogian Foundation and the DRCFA. Cobo Art and the fresco project are funded through the DRCFA Art Foundation (501c3).
Through this initiative, Detroit’s Cobo Center joins major convention centers throughout the country featuring public art including cities such as Chicago, Nashville, Pittsburgh and Washington D.C. Cobo Center’s curator is Maureen Devine. Located downtown on the beautiful Detroit Riverfront, Cobo Center is one of the largest convention centers in the nation offering 723,000 square feet of exhibit space.
About the DRCFA
On 9/15/09, operational control of Cobo Center transferred to the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority, under a collaborative agreement by the Michigan State Legislature, the City of Detroit, and Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Each of these entities has an appointed member on the DRCFA Board. Larry Alexander is the appointee of the Governor of the State of Michigan and serves as Chairman of the Board. For more information visit: http://www.drcfa.org/.
About Cobo Center:
With 723,000 square feet of exhibit space, Cobo Center boasts one of the largest contiguous exhibit floor spaces in North America and is the 17th largest convention center in the country. Visit online at www.cobocenter.com.
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Media Contacts:
Heather George, 313-832-2210, 248-417-5773 (mobile), hgeorge@loviogeorge.com
Tess Francke, 313-832-2210, 248-514-7113 (mobile), tfrancke@loviogeorge.com