Hannan Center

The Community Group Program at the DIA is a unique opportunity for the museum to partner with local agencies to provide one-of-a-kind art experiences in the galleries and studio with DIA teaching artists. This program is based on studio teaching philosophy which engages students, encouraging personal expression and reflection through art.

Projects are tailored to the needs of individual groups including a variety of art making materials. The highlight of the program is the annual group art exhibit in the DIA’s Gibbs Gallery, for the enjoyment of the entire museum community and public. Thanks to Byron Nemela and Soh Suzuki for facilitating and teaching this workshop for Hannan artists and to Scott Lane for the photographs.

Four master artists/ educators were engaged to bring their talents and experience to the community in multi-generational tours and drop-in workshops free and open to the public. Families and people of all ages were recruited to attend.

Eric Mesko, Small Wooden Sculptures

Participants created small wooden animals, people and structures. Participants were focused on creating a sculpture, several were completed and some took theirs home for additional work and painting. Eric is a sculptor and painter, teaching many years in elementary schools and Macomb Community College. He has exhibited in the Kayrod Gallery with a solo show in 2003 and in most group shows annually.
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Beginning with a tour of galleries at the DIA,   participants learned from Vito about the physical making of a variety of work, the maker/artist and the story they left behind.  They toured several galleries at the DIA    and returned to Hannan for lunch and artist’s talk followed by discovery of self exercises and drawing of sketches to be used the following week. On November 16  participants returned for printmaking and milk painting.   Vito has been  living and working in Southwest Detroit for 30 years.   In addition to his own work as painter and muralist, he works in the education department at the DIA.   He has exhibited in the Kayrod Gallery, recently in a three artist exhibit in 2013 and in group shows.
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