Director’s Letter May 2013
When, early in my tenure at the DIA, word began to spread that Kresge Court was going to cease to be the main food service facility and become something else as yet undefined, my office became the...
View ArticleDirector’s Letter June 2013
Yes, it was quite a surprise to learn that the City of Detroit’s emergency financial manager (EFM) was going to leave the DIA’s collection, in his parlance “on the table,” as part of the restructuring...
View ArticleDirector’s Letter July 2013
When I entered this country (and this line of business) in 1973, abstract art pretty much ruled the roost, and it was taken for granted that New York City was the center of the contemporary art world....
View ArticleThe Detroit Institute of Arts’ Inside|Out goes national
By Julie Burtch, Inside|Out Development Staff Member Given the popularity of the DIA’s Inside|Out installation throughout metro Detroit, it’s no surprise that other museums have launched similar...
View ArticleGracehoper Conservation Project Update: Tent Installation
The most visible component of the Gracehoper conservation project—a giant tent—was recently erected on site to protect the surfaces of the sculpture during treatment. The tent will shield the sculpture...
View ArticleAugust in the Museum Shop
Shopping Tips for Back to School, Dream Cruise Plus, Harvey Seatbelt Bags Ship Free* Each August, visitors flock to the Detroit metro area to bask in the glory of one of the finest parades in the Motor...
View ArticleDirector’s Letter September 2013
“Will the DIA have to sell its art?” It seems to have become the story that just will not die, covered by news agencies as far apart as Hong Kong and Warsaw, as well as radio stations from London to …...
View ArticleIn Store Now: The Animation Shop
The retail space accompanying the exhibition Watch Me Move, The Animation Show is brimming with a sensational selection of goods. Animation aficionados, pop-culture fans and anyone with a penchant for...
View ArticleDIA Shop Holiday Gift Guide
With the weather getting a bit blustery and the festive season fast approaching, the Museum Shop staff has chosen our favorite gift items for our annual Holiday Gift Guide. Warm and cozy scarves,...
View ArticleBeyond the Armor
Ten local fashion designers are putting their talents to the test in a competition hosted by the DIA and the Detroit Garment Group Guild (DG3) and inspired by the museum’s exhibition Samurai: Beyond...
View ArticleBeyond the Armor: Narjes Almajidi
Narjes Almajidi, a senior at Wayne State University studying fashion design, merchandising and business administration, is one of ten local designers chosen by the DIA and the Detroit Garment Group...
View ArticleBeyond the Armor: Janna Coumoundouros
Janna Coumoundouros is a classically trained artist and received her BFA in photography in 1998 from the University of Michigan. A professional photographer for more than 12 years, she shoots real...
View ArticleBeyond the Armor: Bonnie Pearce
Bonnie Pearce is a student at the College for Creative Studies with a concentration in metals and jewelry. She studied fashion design at Columbia College Chicago and the International Academy of Design...
View ArticleBeyond the Armor: Loren Jordan
Loren Danielle Jordan is a freelance clothing designer and image consultant with an extensive fashion background. She founded Michigan Fashion Week in 2012 to highlight the growing number of aspiring...
View ArticleBeyond the Armor: Sarah Lapinski
Sarah Lapinski is a self-taught, award winning designer. Known for her iconic menswear line, Wound, she’s since been a tailor for fashion week, engineered an inflatable room and done costume and...
View ArticleBeyond the Armor: Garments Unveiled
Over the last month, 10 local designers have been working tirelessly to create garments inspired by the DIA’s Samurai: Beyond the Sword exhibition. If you have been reading the blog, you have gotten to...
View ArticleBeyond the Armor: Bonnie Pearce-2
Well, it has been a long two weeks since my last post. That time has included an overnight in the metal studio working until 4:30 a.m., then sleeping for three hours on the couch in the student lounge,...
View ArticleBeyond the Armor: Bridget Sullivan
Bridget Sullivan is a graduate of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan. She has worked as tailor, corset-maker, embellishment design intern with Diane Von Furstenburg in New York...
View ArticleBeyond the Armor Video: Deanna Zapico
As part of the Beyond the Armor competition, we captured the designers at work in their studios. See how they developed their final designs and were inspired by the Samurai: Beyond the Sword.
View ArticleBeyond the Armor: Deanna Zapico
Deanna Zapico graduated from the College for Creative Studies with a concentration in advertising design. She was an art director and art supervisor at a prominent ad agency. She has been sewing since...
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