Author: IRWINS

John Sims was a giant in the arts, a giant in activism, and a giant in any room he entered but, most of all, he was a friend and ally that we were happy (and felt protected) to have in our corner. There are no words to express the immensity of this loss, not only for Irwin House Gallery and his family, but a hole is being felt in arts communities worldwide. John filled a space with his art and activism that only he could. But one thing we know for sure, is that an army of his colleagues around the world will be working – individually and collectively – to move his name and his works forward in this lifetime.

John had work for everyone to do. And for us, there were Detroit projects in the wings, including a mural and presenting his annual Square Root of Love happening. As John had far-reaching tentacles that never slept, he was planning projects with others in Detroit as well. I know that we are all committed to carrying out these ideas, as best as we can, in his ever-present absence.

Thank you, John Sims, for being a friend.

PBS came to visit us and speak to some of the “Gift of Art” artist, and the curator, Dr. Chanel Beebe. There is no reason for you to miss it as there are a number of ways you can see the segment on-line:

– On PBS “One Detroit” HERE.
– On the PBS website HERE.
– AND on YouTube
…or just click either of the images on this page!

Thank you PBS One Detroit for shining a light on our work and the amazing work of Detroit artists in this show!

PBS came to visit us and speak to some of the “Gift of Art” artist, and the curator, Dr. Chanel Beebe. There is no reason for you to miss it as there are a number of ways you can see the segment on-line:

– On PBS “One Detroit” HERE.
– On the PBS website HERE.
– AND on YouTube
…or just click either of the images on this page!

Thank you PBS One Detroit for shining a light on our work and the amazing work of Detroit artists in this show! The “Gift of Art” is open thru December 23, 2022.

Donald Calloway’s “Cheap Wine & Chicken” continues at Irwin House Gallery through January 3rd. More than three-hundred of Calloway’s loyal patrons and friends attended the December 3rd opening, enjoying music, dancing, art, cheap wine and chicken!

Thanks to our friends at Explore 360 Tours you can also view the exhibit HERE and enjoy a few flix from the opening!

Visit the Irwin House Gallery for access.

Painter and sculptural artist, Donald Calloway, has been essential in the Detroit arts community for nearly thirty years. Calloway recognized his passion for the arts at the tender age of three and has been solely dedicated to his artistic endeavors ever since. He honed the technical aspects of the arts at the Center for Creative Studies, then launched his practice at the Greektown Lofts, where his studio has famously remained.

Calloway’s wildly imaginative constructions often incorporate found and household objects that become nearly unrecognizable as human features, anatomy and accessories. His vivid use of color brings a sense of vitality and playfulness to the works, which are built upon a solid fine art foundation and powered by boundless invention. From oil paintings to sculptural wood and wire, the artist has developed several signature styles that are legendary and beloved throughout Detroit and beyond.

Donald Calloway’s work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions with such organizations as the Detroit Institute of Arts, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Arts Extended Gallery, Delta Sigma Theta, Liberal Arts Gallery, and National Conference of Artists Gallery. His awards include the Plowshares Theatre Company Sankofa Arts Award, as well as a Wright Museum residency. As the 2020, Ford One Challenge winner, Calloway developed “Building Bridges-Connecting Communities,” a Corktown mural on Michigan Ave.

Calloway’s “Cheap Wine & Chicken” is an annual art show, sale, and fête that has taken place on Noel Night for two decades at the artist’s loft. After a two-year hiatus, due to the pandemic, “Cheap Wine…” returned at a new location, the Irwin House ELL – a transitional art space owned and operated by Irwin House Gallery, located just three doors east of the gallery at 2363 W. Grand Blvd. The event drew nearly 400 guests over the course of the night.

The “Cheap Wine & Chicken” exhibition has been staged throughout the house and runs through January 3, 2023.

April Morton kicks off the season with this weekend’s holiday happenings on Live in The D. We are grateful to be included in this weekend’s round-up. View the FULL SEGMENT HERE. Happy Holidays!!!

Irwin House Gallery is proud to present the 3rd Annual “Gift of Art” Holiday Art Exhibition, opening on BLACK FRIDAY in an all-day Open House Reception. With more than 120 featured works and 60+ participating artists, this is the gallery’s largest, most inclusive, affordable, and joyous show of the year! Designed to encourage collectors and art-lovers to start or build their collections here AND give the gift of art for the holidays, the exhibition stands behind the hashtag #somethingforeveryone!

This year, Irwin House has been delighted and equally proud to work with Dr. Chanel Beebe as Curator of the exhibition. Born and raised in Detroit, Chanel is a creative writer, visual artist, educator, and founder and CEO of Beebe Arts LLC – a research and design firm focused on social and educational equity. Partnering with Irwin House for the first time, she shares,  “This is one of the most stunning shows I’ve had the pleasure of curating. The variety of art forms and styles takes me on such a beautiful journey and makes me so glad to be a part of Detroit’s vibrant art scene. I’m so excited to share these artists’ work with the city!”

The annual holiday exhibit typically features all original and affordable art, priced from $50-$500. From photography to ceramics and sculpture, to hanging installations and both traditional and experimental paintings, the 3^rd Annual “Gift of Art” promises well over 100 dazzling, inspiring and mostly Detroit-made works, installed salon-style across both floors. Works were selected from an open call placed to artists of all ranks, backgrounds and styles via social platforms, with an intention to include every artist who applied. Due to the gallery’s growing profile, enhanced by Dr. Beebe’s fervent outreach, a record-breaking number of over 250 items were submitted for review this year. Consequently and regrettably, this will be the first year that the gallery was unable to accommodate each and every artist who submitted.

“This is an un-themed show, so this is the one time of year that we really try to bring everyone together – anyone who wants to exhibit, with whatever message they want to share through their art,” states Gallery Director, Misha McGlown. “We look forward to this show as it gives us an opportunity to meet and provide exposure for new artists and build upon the relationships with artists we already know. Plus, it feels good to know that this exhibit brings something for everyone – no matter your budget or what type of art you like!” Irwin House dreams of more space and future opportunities to work with some of the artists they were unable to fit into the show this year.

The 3rd Annual “Gift of Art” Holiday Exhibition opens on Black Friday, November 25, 2022 in an all-day Open House Reception from 12 -7 pm. The show runs through December 23, 2022 and general hours of operation are Weds-Sat 12-7 pm and Sundays 12-6 pm. #GiftOfArt22 #artfortheholidays #somethingforeveryone

OCTOBER 14 & 15, 2022 – Please join us this weekend for the closing of the public exhibition of PRODIGY, featuring the work of eight emerging artists and two invited artists from Nigeria and Los Angeles. This has been our most powerful exhibit to date and we are sad to see it go. We invite you to join us on Friday, October 14th for a Closing Reception with the artists from 5-9 pm and on Saturday, the final day of the public exhibit, for an Open House from 12 – 7 pm.

Thanks to everyone who has supported this show and attended the Artist Talk with Halima Afi Cassells on Saturday, September 24th. You can view more pix here and here are yet more ways that PRODIGY continues to live for your enjoyment:

▪	Take the Virtual Tour HERE.

▪	Follow, view and collect on-line HERE.

▪	(Also enjoy this overview of the show!)

▪	Schedule an in-person appointment thru 10/30.

To Submit artwork to the 3rd Annual Gift of Art Show, fill out this form.

Irwin House Gallery is proud to present the 3rd Annual Gift of Art Holiday Art Exhibition, our most inclusive, affordable, and joyous show of the year! All artists are invited to submit, all themes and art forms are welcomed, and collectors and art-lovers are encouraged to start or build their collections here AND give the gift of art!

This year, we are delighted and equally proud to work with Dr. Chanel Beebe as Curator of the exhibition. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Chanel is a creative writer, artist, educator, and founder and CEO of Beebe Arts LLC – a research and design firm focused on social and educational equity. More of Chanel’s work and progress can be found at ChanelBeebe.com.

This is a juried exhibition, with Dr. Beebe at the helm. Artists are invited to submit up to five works for consideration. We aim to include up to 3 works by each artist but due to space limitations, we may not be able to accept every submission. The deadline is November 7th and we encourage you to get your submission in early! Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you!

START YOUR SUBMISSION HERE!