If you like those art sculptures you see while driving through Dearborn (we do) you can thank the Dearborn Community Fund, the non-profit organization that provides resources to support recreational and cultural projects in Dearborn.

Twelve new sculptures are enhancing the landscape in east and west Dearborn along Michigan Avenue.

The artwork was installed through Dearborn’s Art in Public Places project as part of the Midwest Sculpture Initiative (MSI).

The Dearborn Community Fund (DCF) project has expanded since it was first initiated in 2009 when eight sculptures were placed around the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.

“Public interaction and interest in the project provided the encouragement to host a new exhibit for the third year in a row,” said EmmaJean Woodyard, executive director of the DCF.

This is the second year that the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority (EDDDA) and the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority (WDDDA) are collaborating in the project, which has helped to expand the initiative and increase the number of sculptures from eight to 12.

Residents and visitors to Dearborn are encouraged to take a sculpture tour.

“The sculptures range from whimsical to serene, provocative to straight forward,” Woodyard noted. “Residents already have commented that the subject matter – such as pistons and horses that look like wild Mustangs – as well as the steel and aluminum materials used by the artists, are a great reflection of Dearborn and our automotive history.”

Artists whose work is exhibited in the 2011 Art in Public Places Project are from Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. All can be purchased for those interested, too.

Sculpture locations, artists and titles are:

East Downtown Dearborn – “Winter Moon #1” by Ray Katz, Michigan at Maple (City Hall Park); “Glass Totems 9 and 10” by Todd Kime, Maple at Osborn (Georgetown Commons); “Pulse” by Todd Kime, Michigan at Schaefer (Dearborn Town Center).

West Dearborn – “Eight Horse Power” by Mike Sohikian, “Phoenix” by James Havens, and “Internal Combustion” by Douglas Gruizenga, are all located at Michigan and Brady near the Dearborn Historical Museum. “Spiral the Gate” by Ray Katz, Michigan at Military; “Surveyor” by D.W. Martin, Starbucks Courtyard (south side of Michigan, north of Mason); and “Emperor” by Brian Ferriby, Pocket Park (north side of Michigan, north of Mason).

Ford Community & Performing Arts Center – “Lollypop Tree” by Dave Vande Vusse, “Large Graceful Dancer” by James Havens, and “Questions” by Robert Garcia. Sculptures are located on the east, west and south sides of The Center.

The sculptures will be on display through April 2012 and all are available for purchase by contacting the Dearborn Community Fund office at 313-943-5478.

A brochure listing details about the sculptures and their artists is available online at http://www.dearbornfordcenter.com/communityfund/ and at The Center, Dearborn City Hall, all Dearborn Libraries, and the EDDDA at 13255 Michigan Ave., Dearborn.

The Art in Public Places project is coordinated by the non-profit Dearborn Community Fund (DCF). The organization provides resources to support recreational and cultural projects that impact the citizens of Dearborn. It is funded entirely through generous contributions from individuals, businesses, sponsors and fundraising activities.

For additional information on Dearborn’s Art in Public Places project or the Dearborn Community Fund, call 313-943-5478.

For more information about the Midwest Sculpture Initiative, visit www.msisculpture.com or find them on Facebook.

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 27th, 2011 at 5:00 am and is filed under Arts & Entertainment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.