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

Episode 506: Today on Open Studio we are excited about returning to in-person interviews! We sat down with artist and sculptor Austen Brantley. Austen opened up about how his understanding of microaggressions in high school and how it helped him examine his own identity; how his first ceramics class was “the happy accident” that put him on his path as a sculptor; the role Black women play in inspiring his work; and the creative impact his recent trip to Greece had on him.

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 we had the pleasure of interviewing artist Mario Moore! From Detroit to Harlem to Europe and back to “the D”! Mario says he takes the city wherever he goes. He shared with us how his family roots, that began in a diner in Detroit, inspired his recent exhibition; how he put his perspective on a prestigious fellowship at Princeton University; how he feels he is still telling his story in the context of his history and lived experiences and why his love for the people of Detroit is one of the reasons he is back and why he plans to build something amazing here!

Today on Open Studio: Conversations on Art Graves+Mallett interview’s Dr. Hubert Massey, Artist. Muralist. Teacher. Visual Storyteller. Dr. Massey embraces his art of storytelling from the moment he began today’s conversation and in everyone of his award-winning visual narrations depicted in his masterpieces. Dr. Massey shares with us his early beginnings as an athlete and artist; the impactful experiences his time spent in Europe and Mexico City had on his work; what it means to be recognized as the ONLY master Fresco muralist in the United States, and why he chose “Power to the People” as the statement he painted on a large street mural in downtown Detroit for the 2020 Juneteenth freedom rally.

Today on Open Studio: Conversations on Art. GMAS interview’s Bree Gant a multidisciplinary artist, documentarian and a 2020 Kresge Artist Fellow. Bree has been celebrated as a teaching artist with People In Education in 2016 and awarded a 2017 fellowship with Detroit Narrative Agency for the short film riding with Aunt D. Dot. In 2019, she performed with and became a member of the Detroit based dance collective, The Gathering. On our episode today, Bree shares why dancing helps her connect with herself, others and the universe, how riding the bus keeps her grounded and her belief that Detroiters are artist and creators in their own right.

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!

Today on Open Studio: Conversations on Art, GMAS sits down with Ricky Weaver an image-based artist, art educator and a 2019 Carr Center Independent Scholars fellow. Ricky‘s depth, vision and transparency about her journey was both refreshing and insightful. She shared what “coded in the black woman experience” means to her; how the iconic artist Carrie Mae Weems changed her life in 2010 and how being “present” keeps her balance.