Ypsilanti to host a handful of Detroit Institute of Arts reproductions in 2013
This DIA reproduction was on display in 2010 at Riverside Park.
Courtesy of DDA
The DIA Inside|Out program, which is in its second year, brings 80 reproductions of masterpieces from the DIA’s collection to communities in the metro Detroit area. Recently the DIA expanded the program to include northern Michigan.
This will be the second time the DIA has displayed art in Ypsilanti.
Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Tim Colbeck said the DDA first brought DIA art to Ypsilanti in 2010.
"They had approached Ypsilanti to be one of the pilot communities and they gave us one piece of art to be installed at Riverside Park right before the Tridge," Colbeck said. "Based on that success, last year they went to different communities and broadened it anywhere from five to seven (art pieces.)"
Colbeck said the DIA had promised it would come back to Ypsilanti at some point in the future because of the positive response it received. Colbeck said the city received a good response to the program.
The city can either participate in the spring portion of the program from April to June or the summer portion from July to September. Colbeck said the city will most likely choose the summer because of the many events it has during those months.
No spots have been designated yet, but Colbeck said the art may be installed at Riverside Park, Eastern Michigan University's Pease Park or key businesses around the city, including possibly some of the historic buildings. Permission would have to be granted from the Historic District Commission to do so.
Colbeck said having this sort of program in Ypsilanti is a "cultural amenity."
"It's something that makes people want to be here," Colbeck said. "If people are out there trying to find those pieces of art, hopefully they'll stop at some of our businesses. Having art makes your downtown more attractive and, in all honesty, Ypsilanti is a community that has demonstrated an appreciation for art. It's a nice fit."
Comments
justcurious
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 1:19 a.m.
What a great idea. I would love to see some of these scattered around Dexter as well. The DIA is an overlooked treasure. This could pique people's interest in visiting again or for the first time. Kudos to Ypsilanti!
talker
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 11:13 p.m.
Congratulations to Ypsilanti for displaying copies of beautiful things instead of a vastly overpriced, authentic real thing such as the one that is next to Ann Arbor's city hall. I love the history descriptions on many downtown Ann Arbor corners and would much rather see reproductions of art, such as colorful, impressionist paintings in various parts of the city than have one overpriced, thing in an area that most people don't get to see. I've often wondered why the A2 art commission never thought of placing less expensive art throughout the city and then paying for students in 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grades to take bus trips to the DIA. I grew up in Chicago and recall the experience of a class trip with a guided tour to the Art Institute. I've been to the Art Institute and the DIA multiple times since that class trip, but still have fond memories of that class trip decades ago.
nickcarraweigh
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
Are these counterfeit reproductions? Because if they are the real thing, boy, they might not last so long.
dotdash
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 11:08 p.m.
I think what he means is that good reproductions can be worth a great deal. Or are they prints?
montyman
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 10:37 p.m.
I think if you look closely at the headline you'll see the word "reproduction". It's also mentioned in the article.