Open Studio: Conversations on Art w/Graves+Mallett Art Solutions

Today on Open Studio we had the pleasure of speaking with collector, philanthropist and cultural influencer Lynn Weaver Pitts.  Our conversation gave us insight on what drives her to collect; the memorable moment of her first art acquisition; her philosophy on investing in art; why emerging artist are important and the significance of our community supporting and sustaining African American museums.

Today on Open Studio we had the pleasure of once again interviewing artist Rashaun Rucker! In season one Rashaun‘s episode was the #1 shared and listened episode of Open Studio’s first season. What a joy it is to have him back to discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on his health and creativity; his connection with the Harlem Renaissance; partnering with Speedball Art; his humble philanthropic upbringing that continues to shape his life today and the blockbuster season he has in store for 2021!

Today on Open Studio: Conversations on Art, GMAS sits down with artist Rashaun Rucker, a local and national Emmy Award winner for documentary photography, a Harvard University Maynard Fellow, a Black Enterprise magazine Modern Man honoree, a 2019 Kresge Fellow and an artist with the distinction of having his artwork featured in the HBO production, Random Acts of Flyness and the documentary 12th & Clairmount. Rashaun shares how 6th grade was a pivotal point in defining his love for art and finding what he called “his tribe”; why his living room has become his “de facto studio”; how reading inspires his work and the importance of using his platform to speak to the marginalization of the Black Man.

Today on Open Studio: Conversations on Art, GMAS sits down with Nettie Seabrooks, consultant to the Manoogian Foundation at the Detroit Institute of Arts, former Deputy Mayor of the City of Detroit and philanthropist extraordinaire! Nettie’s engaging conversation and enthusiasm had us hanging on her every word as she shared her career climb in corporate America; earning her master’s degree in Art History at the age of 70 and the intricate role she played in the birth of the DIA‘s General Motors Center for African American Art.

Today on Open Studio: Conversations on Art, GMAS sits down with Asia Hamilton, artist and founder of Norwest Gallery of Art in Detroit, MI, on the eve of the gallery’s two-year anniversary. Asia shared some of her early days of collaborating with “Dopest Ethiopian Collective”, dedicating her current exhibition “Hair-Archy” to her legendary father who was a hair giant in Detroit and around the world, and why she stays focused on giving artist opportunities to have a place to showcase their work!

Episode #111 - GMAS sit down with Dr. Cledie Collins Taylor the pioneer artist, educator and galleriest at 93 years young, she shared her wisdom and generous spirit during our Conversations on Art this week at the Arts Extended Gallery in Detroit, MI. Dr. Taylor told us the history around the current location of the 60-year-old Arts Extended Gallery; how art makes us humane and how she can immediately tell if a person had an art class when they were in kindergarten!

Today on Open Studio: Conversations on Art we sit down with Dr. George N’Namdi. George has been a giant in the Art Industry for nearly 4 decades. His visionary approach to gallery ownership and developing the concepts of “creative place making” and “community place keeping his giving him recognition all over the world. But what he is legendary for his having the ability to catapult artist from newcomer to national phenomenon!

Today on Open Studio: Conversations on Art, we sat down with Dr. Dexter Fields, the brilliant and enthusiastic art collector that has a breathtaking collection that filled every corner of his home! We learn more about this art influencer, some of his favorite works of art and why the "Red Room" in his home is so important to him.

GMAS sat down with Dr. Juliette Okotie-Eboh, author of “10 Things I Know”. During our Conversations on Art we learned 1 of the 10 things Juliette knows from her book, the connection she has with one of her favorite artist and the cultural foundation that was instrumental in shaping her today.

Episode 103:  Open Studio sits down with Leland Calloway, Chair of Friends of African and African American Art for the Detroit Institute of Arts. He is an avid art collector. During our tour and visit at his home we had a delightful conversation with Leland to learn more about his favorite artist, his passion for engaging new and younger collectors and his mission to keep the FAAAA alive and thriving!

Episode 101-September 9, 2019:  Today on Open Studio: Conversations on Art, GMAS visit the offices of Mr. Amani Olu located in the historic Fisher building in Detroit Michigan. Amani is a marketer, independent curator, artist and founder and CEO of Olu & Company. We had a fascinating discussion about year two of Detroit Art Week; how as a young boy he had a knack at seizing a business opportunity and the story behind the “name” that allows him to creatively express himself.

Episode 102-September 16, 2019:  Today on Open Studio we interview Carole Harris a world renowned textile artist who has nearly 5 decades of creativity and innovation. Along with her long list of recognitions and publications, in 2015 she received the prestigious honor of being named a Kresge Art Fellow. In today’s conversation, Carole share with us some of her early art influences and the impact one wedding quilt had on her defining what art meant to her.