A new gallery in town called The Collected Detroit, located at 2439 Fourth Street, aims to display and sell the work of Detroit’s artists right next to renowned artists from around the world in order to showcase our City’s finest talent and highlight Detroit as a resource for serious art collecting. Nancy Rodwan is a Detroit Artist and Managing Director of the new art gallery. We asked her some questions…
1. Why a new art gallery in Detroit? Tell us about it.
There are new art galleries opening in Detroit almost every week. The trailblazing new gallery Collected Detroit stands out from the rest by bringing together Detroit’s top talent alongside world-renowned artists. Outside of the DIA, where will you find Gilda Snowden hanging along with Joan Miró or Charles McGee and Jean Cocteau? Collected Detroit aims to exhibit the best work by area artists beside celebrated works from around the globe in order to celebrate Detroit’s world-class creativity and to put the spotlight on Detroit as a destination for serious art collectors. Hence the name, Collected Detroit.
Our first exhibit, Detroit in the World: Selections from a Detroit Art Connoisseur’s Collection, is a sampling of the one of metro Detroit’s major art collector’s many treasures. In an effort to support the artists it features, which is a major part of our mission, the gallery will offer residual payments (droit de suite) to any artists whose work from the collection sells during the exhibit. This practice is virtually unheard of in the United States.
Collected Detroit will be a major destination for entertainment as well as arts education.
2. Tell us about your background and your role at the gallery.
I am a multimedia artist, filmmaker, puppet-maker, writer and curator. My work has shown throughout the metro Detroit area, nationally and internationally. Being the managing director of Collected Detroit is my dream job for many reasons including the fact that I get work with Susie and Charles Duquet, the gallery owners, who care deeply about art, artists and the city of Detroit. In addition to helping with the day to day tasks of running an art gallery, I will be assisting in curating future exhibits and building shows that bring Detroit arts side by side with artists from around the globe. It is exciting to be a part of a new venture that is working on establishing a scholarship program for Cass Tech art students to help them further their education.
3. Describe the opportunities that are available to artists and art lovers in this City. What do you envision Collected Detroit adding to this community?
The artistic richness of this city is what I have always loved about Detroit. I also love the DIY attitude that many Detroit artists have, especially the native or longtime Detroiters who created their own opportunities when little was available. Today, there are so many exhibiting spaces that art lovers can gallery hop on the traditional opening nights. We have the best (in my opinion) public art in the country. Collected Detroit aims to focus the spotlight on all this creativity.
4. What do you have planned for the grand opening of the gallery is on December 8th?
This is going to be the party you do not want to miss. The gallery will be open from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Aside from the spectacular art on display, Marion Hayden’s trio will perform between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm. We’ll have gourmet catering by Plum Market as well as wine and soft drinks. The event is free and we also have ample free parking across the street from the gallery.
5. What sorts of shows, exhibits and events should visitors to the gallery expect in the coming months?
We are planning extraordinary exhibits featuring local and international artists including a fiber art exhibit, a sculpture exhibit, and a multimedia show. We plan to have events that pair talent from around the world with Detroit’s finest. Details to come.
Extra Credit: What changes would you like to see in Detroit in the next 10 years?
I really want to see Detroit become a major destination for people everywhere who are looking to collect art.
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