Detroit News Article | 2000

A review which appeared in the Detroit News on May 18, 2000.  Written by Joy Hakanson Colby. 

Vibrant student-art scene is showcased

May 18, 2000

 

'Student Exhibition' Center for Creative Studies, East Kirby between John R and Brush, Detroit    Through May 28: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun.    Call (313) 664-7464 'Face to Face: Student Portrait Exhibit' and '63rd Detroit Public Schools Exhibit'    Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward, Detroit    Through June 4 and through Sun., respectively: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun.    Call (313) 833-7900 By Joy Hakanson Colby / The Detroit News     DETROIT -- There's a creative explosion in Detroit's Cultural Center at the moment, with at least 1,000 student artists displaying their work in three exhibitions at the Center for Creative Studies and the Detroit Institute of Arts. These are remarkable shows that underscore the value of art education.    By nature, artists are builders and problem solvers. So the student exhibits deserve to be looked at this way: Everything on the walls represents a challenge met with positive energy. You can't get enough of that in these violent times.    The institute is hosting two shows -- the 63rd annual exhibit from the Detroit Public Schools, which is particularly strong this year, and a stunning portrait project from Southfield-Lathrup High School.    The latter is linked to the museum's popular blockbuster Van Gogh: Face to Face. Students studied Van Gogh's life, then worked with guest artist Claudia Shepard to produce their own portraits. The results are fabulous.    Center for Creative Studies' show is by college-level students being trained as arts professionals. There are some 600 exhibitors, with more than 2,000 paintings and photographs, metal, clay and fiber objects, sculpture and industrial, interior and communications design. It's a lot to digest. But this annual outpouring of art is worth a long, hard look.    Photographers tackled tough subjects with skill. Lesley Duke documented the birth of babies, and Kelly Root produced an unflinching series of autopsy photos. Other photographers to notice are Rosalieann Agent for documentaries; Diane Holcomb for a series on storefront churches; Kris Sanford for portraits; Brian Lynch (Rusinek) for a mural of eyes, eyes and more eyes.    Don't miss Erika E. Church's hilarious group of sculptures; Alice Smith's glass figures with an African accent; K.A. Naeve's heaped and hanging cast porcelain trees; Lisa Lockhart's shattered images in paint; Angela Perez's exciting painted surfaces; Annica Cuppetelli's exquisite silk-and-metal installation; or Harry Burdett's fine-tuned exercises in tension made with gears and pulleys.    Count on seeing a number of the Center for Creative Studies students showing in galleries around town soon.    With the art institute shows starting in kindergarten and going through high school, and with the Center for Creative Studies showcasing the young adult pros, youth art is well covered in the Cultural Center. The picture is extremely optimistic.

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