Robert S. Duncanson, Ellen's Isle, Loch Katrine, 1871, oil on canvas. Courtesy of Detroit Institute of Arts, Gift of the Estate of Ralzemond D. Parker, F80.215.
The Detroit Institute of Arts' updated African American art galleries will debut in October.
The big picture: The Midtown museum is moving its well-known African American collection from the second floor's north wing to a more prominent place, taking up four gallery rooms near the Rivera Court with the Diego Rivera mural, according to a news release.
Zoom in: The historical installation features 50 pieces created between 1840 and the mid-1980s, in a range of mediums from paintings and photography to sculpture.
Zoom out: The changes are part of a larger redesign of parts of the museum aimed at allowing the DIA to display more work and improve the visitor experience.
What they're saying: "The new gallery design allows us to better tell the story of African American art and present these works in conversation with each other across time periods, creating a richer context for understanding their significance," Valerie Mercer, curator and head of the DIA's Center for African American Art, said in the release.
"We will also be able to display and elevate works from our collection and present them in ways that highlight their artistic innovation and cultural impact."
Plus, the DIA is acquiring local artist Tiff Massey's piece "Baby Bling" for its permanent collection, according to WDET.
Massey's year-long exhibition "7 Mile + Livernois" proved highly popular. She is the youngest artist to get a DIA solo exhibition, per WDET.
