April 26, 2021 — Detroit — Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) announced today that students are virtually showcasing hundreds of imaginative works through the 84th Annual DPSCD Student Exhibition in partnership with the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the long-time visual arts exhibition, traditionally hosted in a DIA gallery, has launched through a video featuring the artwork of students in grades K-12.

This year, students from 66 schools submitted 995 pieces, from which 295 were chosen for the virtual exhibition by a jury of DPSCD art educators and DIA staff. The artworks include ceramics, painting, drawing, fiber, sculpture, photography, digital art, jewelry, mixed-media, and video.

“Restoring our arts programming represents an essential part of our reform work as well as our Whole Child approach in educating DPSCD students,” said Dr. Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District.” “Being able to showcase the talents of our student artists at a world-class museum such as the DIA is an incredible opportunity. We know how much this means to our students and staff and it shows through their perseverance and dedication to preserve this legacy for the 84th year, we are extremely proud of each and every participant.”

The partnership between the DIA and the DPSCD is the longest standing continuous relationship the museum has with an educational organization. Many of the students whose works have been featured in the exhibition have gone on to pursue successful careers in the arts, including, among others, Mario Moore, a New York-based contemporary painter whose works have been shown in exhibitions across the country and is included in the DIA’s permanent collection.

“Creating art provides an outlet for students to express themselves and in a year like the one we have just have that is especially important,” said Salvador Salort-Pons, DIA Director. “We look forward to the online display of this year’s talent. It is a point of pride for the students, their families and the DIA and is a show we look forward to presenting year after year.”

The 84th Annual DPSCD Student Exhibition was organized by the Detroit Institute of Arts and Detroit Public Schools Community District and is made possible with support from the Ruth T. T. Cattell Education Endowment Fund.

To view the virtual exhibition, please visit https://www.dia.org/dpscd2021 as well as the link on You Tube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ3Jz7N7QnA.

Every year artworks are featured on promotional materials. This year, the digital promotional artwork selections are:

• “My City,” Lissa Cruz Rodriguez, Academy of the Americas High School
• “Stippled Spider,” Brenda Ballesteros-Lopez, Academy of the Americas High School
• “The Situated Soul,” Fatima Sanchez, Academy of the Americas High School
• “Unavailable Expressions,” Alberto Morales, Academy of the Americas High School
• “Clipped Wings,” Madelane Martinez, Cass Technical High School
• “In My Eyes,” Hina Woodberry, Cass Technical High School
• “Stuck in the Lines,” Donald Calloway, Cass Technical High School
• “The Right Ones Won't Leave,” Tyler Russell, Cass Technical High School
• “Flower Power,’ Morgan Covington, Cooke STEM Academy
• “Leaf People,” Orlando Hickman, Duke Ellington Conservatory of Music and Art at Beckham
• “Autumn Fruit,” Emery Moore, Duke Ellington Conservatory of Music and Art at Beckham
• “Self Portrait,” Laylah Sharpe, Duke Ellington Conservatory of Music and Art at Beckham
• “The 2020 Dragon,” Alejandro Herrera Garcia, Harms Elementary School
• “Power,” Maya Bullock, Mumford High School
• “Love and Hate of the Same Nature,” Chrishani Pleasant, Mumford High School
• “New Arrivals  ,” Chrishani Pleasant, Mumford High School
• “We've reached a clearing but we're not out of the woods yet.” Chrishani Pleasant, Mumford High School
• “Dancer,” Anaya Gibson, Mumford High School

About Detroit Public Schools Community District        

Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is Michigan’s largest public education system. It is governed by a locally elected, seven-member board with Dr. Nikolai Vitti serving as superintendent. The District’s mission is to provide every student with a beneficial and rightful educational experience, preparing students to be career and college ready, and qualified to compete in the global market. The District has more than 100 schools and educates more than 49,000 children. For more information, visit www.detroitk12.org and follow @detroitk12 on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.