Under-Discovered Detroit highlights some of the many creative communities that help advance Detroit’s artistic landscape. Artist groups and collectives function as essential spaces where ideas are shared, skills are passed along, and support runs deep. They give artists the encouragement to keep creating and keep our local art communities connected and constantly evolving. Featuring members of the Arab-American Artist Community, the National Conference of Artists, the Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club, Lawrence Street Gallery, 333 Midland, and the Progressive Arts Studio Collective, this exhibition celebrates the role of creative communities in enriching the cultural fabric of the city.

While the Detroit area boasts a wealth of artistic talent, the gallery and exhibition experience can be daunting. Whether due to a lack of self-promotion or difficulty attracting the attention of arts and culture gatekeepers, much talent goes unnoticed. As curator, I see this exhibition as an opportunity to be a voice at the table — to champion the careers of fellow artists by introducing their work to new audiences.” – Anita Bates

Dates: September 26 – October 25

Dr. Anita Bates is a 2019 Kresge Arts Fellow and a contemporary artist and a WSU Associate Professor of teaching whose work has been exhibited in several local, national and international venues locally such as, the Trout Museum in Appleton, Wisconsin; the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit; G.R. N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art (Detroit and Miami, Fl); Dell Pryor Gallery; Detroit Artists Market; Querini Stampalia Museum in Venice, Italy; A Gathering of the Tribes Gallery in New York, NY

Ms. Bates holds both a PhD in Education and M.F.A. in Painting from Wayne State University.