Detroit's Under Appreciated Jewel

(This is a section of the Detroit Industry mural by Diego Rivera at the Detroit Institute of Arts. It was completed in 1933 and commissioned by Edsel Ford and museum director William Valentiner. ) Flickr.com



DETROIT—The massive and imitating white marble exterior stretches along the Woodward Avenue, filling visitors of all ages and sizes with an eagerness to expand their creativity and to be exposed by the creativity of others. These visitors enter the historic building immediately enveloped in the memories and the cultural artifacts of the past and present.

Supporters of the Detroit Institute of Arts say it is not only one of the city's crowning jewels but one of the country’s top art museums. But although the museum has done a lot with it's image by renovating back in 2001-07, many still feel that the DIA is under appreciated.

Founded in 1885, the Detroit Institute or Arts, or “DIA,” includes more than 100 art galleries that include a diverse variety of art such as American, European, Native American, Islamic, modern and contemporary, and graphic. As explained in its site, the museum comprises a “multicultural and multinational survey of human creativity from prehistory through the 21st century.”

The beautifully sculptured building, referred to by its site as the “temple of art,” is a vast maze filled with culture. It invites visitors to get lost in the pieces of art as they try to interpret the artistes message and inspiration; The displays are designed for one to appreciate the artistes dedication, effort, skill, and passion that was applied to the arts creation. Although this establishment seems to be a storage house of creativity, museums such as this are not visited or appreciated by the members of their communities like they should be, say supporters.


Adrienne Jones, a DIA employee who works Gallery Service, said that many people in today’s generation do not have much of an interest in the arts, and it’s a shame that the younger people are not exposed to the arts as much as they should.

“Art is for everyone, and the DIA offers things for all cultures and ethnicity's," Jones said. "Many African Americans and other minorities feel that that they are out of place at The DIA, but they are wrong,” Jones said.

The DIA host different holiday and cultural events throughout the year, according to the Web-site, including every Friday in which the DIA is opened from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. and offers “food, music and, of course, great art.” Jones said the DIA makes sure to switch up the type of music played on Fridays to appeal to everyone and draw different crowds in.

Other then the events that the museum host,Jones said that they're are many other methods the museum can use to bring more younger visitors. Jones said that it would be a good idea to start advertising online and on Web sites such as Facebook.com and MySpace.com.

Lanora Miles, an elementary school teacher and frequent visitor of the DIA, developed an appreciation for the arts in high school. She agrees with Jones that people within Detroit have lost their love for the arts.

“Most people are only concerned with things that concern them. The DIA has things that pertain to just one culture but to all cultures,” Miles said.

The DIA just recently opened up a new photography exhibit called the "Avedon Fashion Photographs 1944-2000." This new exhibit shows photographer Richard Avedon's evolution of style over 46 years. The exhibit includes photos of magazine layouts, and personal photos, which include such iconic figures as Audrey Hepburn and Barbra Streisand.

"The DIA has been around for many years and isnt going anywhere soon but as time moves on the museum just hopes that people will continue to visit, donate, and share the museum experience with others," Jones said.


(Outside information found on www.dia.org)