More Art, Please!

We are geeked to once again participate in the Detroit Institute of Arts Inside|Out program this summer. This marks Downtown Auburn Hills’s third year as a participant in the program, which brings high-quality reproductions from the DIA’s collection to outdoor spaces.

Last week, two colleagues and I attended the Inside|Out partner orientation to prepare for the upcoming installation. We learned that each piece is reproduced using a solvent-based material on aluminum composite, while the frames are authentic and sourced locally from a shop in Detroit. The DIA team tries to create thoughtful pairings of each work with its surroundings, and a great amount of care goes into making the Inside|Out program a success.

After the orientation, we had the opportunity to squeeze in a quick visit to some of our favorite works at the DIA. Artemisia Gentileschi’s Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes never fails to make me pause and stand still for a beat to take it all in. The painting's massive scale and dramatic lighting are immersive in a way that a coffee table book can't replicate. A visit to the DIA, even a brief one, reminds me how art facilitates conversation and sparks inspiration, which is one of the things we love most about Inside|Out. It allows us to bring that conversation right to Downtown Auburn Hills!

Instead of driving to the museum, you’ll be able to bike along the Clinton River Trail into downtown Auburn Hills to discover five pieces that will be installed throughout the area. Two additional works will be located on the municipal campus, one near the Auburn Hills Public Library and another by the Auburn Hills Community Center. Installation of the reproductions is scheduled for late April. Stay tuned for more details on locations and the names of the pieces that will be coming to town.

Lisa Passalacqua, Community Engagement Manager