The Conservancy’s popular public art program, which was launched in 2011, continues to expand and gain momentum while gaining fans along the waterfront. 

In May, the Conservancy celebrated the formal launch of the program and its four pieces of modern art with an early evening reception attended by nearly 70 guests including Conservancy board and committee members, artists, art collectors, art and educational institutions, Riviere28 supporters and members of the Detroit Institute of Art’s Founder’s Junior Council. 

The momentum of the public art initiatives continued into the summer months with the introduction of “Detroit River ArtScape,” an outdoor art competition inspired by the popular Grand Rapids ArtPrize, which included the works of 10 Michigan-based artists competing for a total of $15,000 in cash prizes.  The competition was featured as part of the sixth annual Detroit River Days festivities, June 22 – 24.  Plans are currently underway to make Detroit River ArtScape an ongoing annual tradition.

The Conservancy is also pleased to have been chosen once again as a site to feature selections from the popular DIA Inside/Out program.  Now in its third year, the DIA Inside/Out program features replicas of famous works of art found at the DIA, which are temporarily on display in unexpected public places.  Two reproduction pieces are currently on display near Rivard Plaza.