Scale Model Indy Cars Designed by Detroit Students to be Placed in Neighborhoods Across the City
DETROIT, Mich. (January 30, 2023) – Focused on strengthening its roots in the local community with this summer’s return to the Streets of Detroit, the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear proudly unveiled its INDYCAR Art Installation powered by PPG on Monday. The unique community art program showcases the creative talent and vision from Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) students, while ensuring the Grand Prix has a colorful and consistent presence in each of the seven districts across the City of Detroit leading into race weekend in the Motor City, June 2-4.
In the fall, high school students from nine DPSCD schools – East English Village Preparatory Academy at Finney, Osborn High School, Western International Academy, Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School, Cody High School, Renaissance High School, Mumford High School, Cass Tech High School and Henry Ford High School – were provided with a blank canvas – a 1/16th scale model Indy Car mounted on a base, along with paint and art materials supplied by long-time Detroit Grand Prix partners PPG Industries. The Grand Prix and PPG asked the students to design the liveries on their individual Indy Car models – created by the Detroit Prop Art Factory – with an artistic theme representing their school, their neighborhoods, the Grand Prix or the City of Detroit. The nine unique and creative student-designed models were unveiled today at Henry Ford High School in Detroit. With the support of Detroit City Council, the Grand Prix will be placing all nine of the car models in select neighborhood locations across each district in the city including local businesses, recreation centers, art galleries and community gathering spots. Detailed information on the concept for each student-designed Indy Car, as well as the specific location of where each model will be displayed in Detroit, is included at the end of this press release.
Following display in each individual district in Detroit over the next several months, all student-designed car models will be available for bid during a special online auction in May. The proceeds from each auctioned design model will benefit the City of Detroit Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship and their work to support local artists while developing creative programming across the City.
“The Grand Prix INDYCAR Art Installation powered by PPG is a great opportunity for our event to connect with our local communities and help build excitement with City of Detroit residents about the Grand Prix’s return to the Streets of Downtown Detroit,” said Bud Denker, Chairman of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear. “We are proud of how this initiative shines the spotlight on Detroit Public Schools Community District students and their artistic talent as we continue to work with our partners within each district and community in the City. We want to thank PPG for their support of this important community program and we thank all the participating schools and their students, along with Detroit City Council, for their dedication to bringing this to life.”
The Art Installation includes a car designed by renowned Detroit artist Phil Simpson – known for his distinct smile art throughout the city – and all 10 Indy Car art models were unveiled today during an event at Henry Ford High School. Students representing all of the participating high schools were in attendance, along with representatives from Detroit City Council, the Detroit Public Schools Community District and executives from both PPG Industries and the Grand Prix.
“PPG is proud to support the Detroit Grand Prix INDYCAR Art Installation and what it brings to the City and the students in Detroit,” said Tracy Calkins of PPG. “PPG loves to bring color and vibrance to local communities and this installation showcases the artistic talent of the youth in Detroit and celebrates our continued partnership with the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear.”
Tickets are on sale now for the 2023 Chevrolet Grand Prix presented by Lear, hosted on the new 1.7-mile street circuit in Downtown Detroit, June 2-4. Ticket sales are more than 80% ahead of pace from previous years and fans are encouraged to purchase their seats and passes as soon as possible. To purchase tickets and to learn more about the 2023 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, please visit www.DetroitGP.com.
ABOUT THE DETROIT GRAND PRIX The Detroit Grand Prix is a 501(c)3 organization and a subsidiary of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. Scheduled for June 2-4, 2023, the event will return to the streets of Downtown Detroit for the first time since 1991. The Grand Prix will include the Chevrolet INDYCAR Grand Prix featuring the cars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the sports cars of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, the rising stars of racing competing in INDY NXT by Firestone and the iconic muscle cars of the Trans Am Series presented Pirelli. For more information, visit www.DetroitGP.com and follow our social media pages at www.facebook.com/detroitgp, www.twitter.com/detroitgp and www.instagram.com/detroitgp.
Detroit Grand Prix
INFORMATION ON EACH MODEL FOR THE 2023 DETROIT GRAND PRIX INDYCAR ART INSTALLATION POWERED BY PPG
District 1
Designed by Henry Ford High School
Dedicated by Detroit City Council Pro Tem James Tate
Community Placement at Norwest Art Gallery, 19556 Grand River Ave. in Detroit
A total of 24 student artists divided into small groups and brainstormed ideas they felt were relevant to young people in their community. The students then individually developed sketches for the final design. Together, the entire class agreed that the message they wanted to communicate through their design was “Life is tough, but we stand STRONG!” The imagery on the car portrays a beautiful life being unwrapped, despite the hands of evil constantly pulling in opposition. The design emphasizes the power of community and the strength of Detroiters. The model also incorporates elements that represent the home (Henry Ford High School-District 1) of the students that designed this specific INDYCAR piece of art.
District 2
Designed by Mumford High School
Dedicated by The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear
Community placement at Detroit Pizza Bar, 7316 W. McNichols Rd., in Detroit
The Spirit of the Mustang reflected on the car design came about for an obvious reason: Mumford High School’s mascot is the Mustang. First and foremost, Mustangs represent inclusivity and acceptance because no matter what color a Mustang is born with, it IS accepted by the ENTIRE herd. Mustangs also represent the spirit of cooperation. The “Power in Numbers” is evident in a herd of Mustangs. EVERYONE defends any and all members of the herd from ANY threat or danger.
District 3
Designed By Osborn High School
Dedicated by Detroit City Council Member Scott Benson
Community placement at SAY Detroit Play Center, 19320 Van Dyke Ave., in Detroit
The Osborn students created a design incorporating the school colors (red, white and blue) and the school mascot (the Knight). The underside of the Indy Car features a map of the Osborn Community Area. The Osborn community is well known for the zip code 48205. The students wanted to exhibit that pride by including 48205 in the design of their model.
District 4
Designed by East English Village Preparatory Academy at Finney
Dedicated by Detroit City Council Member Latisha Johnson
Community placement at The Alger Theater, 16451 E. Warren Ave., in Detroit
The East English Village students included a map of their district and surrounding communities on the Indy Car model to highlight the unique landmarks and neighborhoods as the basis for their design.
District 5
Designed by Martin Luther King Jr. Sr. High School
Dedicated by Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield
Community placement is TBD
The students at Martin Luther King featured a black and gold design to represent their school colors and the numbers on the car represent the address of their school and its surrounding community. The students wanted the school motto, “Enter to Learn, Exit to Serve,” included as it provides a perfect description of what a King Crusader student strives for. The King students believe strong academics and a commitment to giving back to their community is also what their school stands for.
District 6
Designed by Western International Academy
Dedicated by Detroit City Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero
Community placement at Kemeny Recreation Center, 2260 S. Fort Street in Detroit
The students at Western chose to represent the rich history of murals in Southwest Detroit in their car design. The students researched both local murals, as well as Mexican muralism, to create the final artwork on their Indy Car model.
District 7
Designed by Cody High School
Dedicated by Detroit City Council Member Fred Durhal II
Community placement at Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan: Dick & Sandy Dauch Campus, 16500 Tireman Ave., in Detroit
There was a lot of excitement by Cody High students for this special project. Several students were engaged in the car design, which included the use of Frank Cody High School colors: gray, green, gold and white, along with black for the tires. These committed students painted the Indy Car model and are proud of their creation.
At-Large Community Installation
Designed by Renaissance High School
Dedicated by Detroit City Council Member At Large Mary Waters
Community placement at Renaissance High School, 6565 Outer Drive West in Detroit
The gold and burgundy colors of the Renaissance High School mascot – the Phoenix – stood out to the students from the first time they saw the Indy Car model. The students then focused on which areas of the car would feature the school colors and where a shiny chrome design should be included. The students worked on the model in layers – taping, painting, analyzing and refining their design. They took pictures of their work and reassigned colors to different sections using photoshop until they reached a balance that they felt was FLASHY, but conservative enough to not be gaudy.
At-Large Community Installation
Designed by Cass Tech High School
Dedicated by Detroit City Council Member At Large Coleman A. Young II
Community Placement is Cass Tech High School, 2501 Second Ave., in Detroit
Cass Tech students brainstormed concepts for their design by pulling from Detroit’s rich history in music, art and architecture, the auto industry and motorsports. Students drew design ideas on templates of the Indy Car. These varied designs were then combined and unified through the color palette. Though the car includes the Cass Tech school colors, the students wanted their design to feature imagery of things all Detroiters can relate to. Key visual elements included Art Nouveau-inspired patterns, the Detroit city skyline and a checkered 45RPM record adapter. The final design was incorporated onto the model, which the students all painted together.
