Boys and Girls Club Students Unveil Designs Honoring Community Partnerships
DETROIT, Mich. (May 4, 2023) – Highlighting a key element of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear Community Partnership Initiative announced in March, students from the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan today unveiled eight unique art murals that will be proudly displayed trackside for the world to see at the Grand Prix, June 2-4 on the Streets of Downtown Detroit.
The digitally-designed murals feature themes that pay tribute to the local communities across Detroit, the spirit of the Motor City and the return of the Grand Prix to its original home on the Downtown streets of Detroit this summer for the first time since 1991.
With support from its Community Partners in American Axle & Manufacturing, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Delta Air Lines, Delta Dental, DTE Foundation, Henry Ford Health, Huntington Bank, Lear Corporation and PNC Bank, the Grand Prix will provide an opportunity for the students’ art to shine at one of the biggest and most anticipated events of the year in Detroit.
Measuring 24 feet long and three feet high, each of the murals will be placed on the safety walls surrounding the new Downtown Detroit race circuit, in front of the viewing platforms on Jefferson Avenue that will be open and accessible to fans completely free of charge all weekend long at the Grand Prix.
“Thanks to our key Community Partners, these talented and creative young students at the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan will have the opportunity to share their art with everyone at this year’s Grand Prix,” said Michael Montri, President of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear. ”We’re excited to see all of these unique designs come to life and create a special connection to the neighborhoods and districts across Detroit, through the Grand Prix.”
The mural designs were created by students in the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan (BGCSM) Fashion Industry Club. The young artists learned about the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear and its history in Detroit, dating back to the first race Downtown in 1982. Under the guidance of program partner, fashion designer and local artist Sharryl Cross, the students received coaching on public and digital art, using Adobe Illustrator to produce their individual designs. After working on their art for more than six weeks, the BGCSM students submitted their final mural designs to the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear Advisory Committee. The committee then selected the eight winning mural designs that will be featured for trackside display during Grand Prix weekend.
On Thursday, reigning NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and defending Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear race winner Will Power of Team Penske, helped the students unveil the winning murals, alongside Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield and Grand Prix Chairman Bud Denker.
In March, the Grand Prix announced its unique Community Partnership initiative. Fueled by the support of nine corporate partners, the program is not only highlighting the work of local artists, it is creating opportunities for small businesses and building awareness and a presence for the Grand Prix in the neighborhoods across the seven districts in the City of Detroit.
Images are attached of today’s unveiling of the trackside student murals. These images are approved for media usage.
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 by 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.
