A team of veteran arts organizers known as Salonnière is spearheading a multi-million dollar initiative called Detroit Salon to bring exposure to Detroit’s art scene.
The group is made up of Danielle Waddell, Erica Jackson, Julie Egan, Juana Williams, and Andi Harris, who are teaming up with Art Basel and the 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair to present a series of exhibitions and events highlighting Detroit artists over the next three years.
The first set will be during Art Basel Paris in October.
Egan, the founder of Salonnière, says they formed an artist advisor committee that discussed the needs of Detroit’s artists community and how they should be best represented.
“One takeaway we heard repeatedly from artists was that they desired access and a seat at the table at major art world events,” she says. “Detroit-based artists want to stay in Michigan, they want to stay in our city, they want to live and work here, but for that to happen, they need a seat at the table in key art world events and spaces outside of Michigan, and DETROIT SALON aspires to do just that.’”
This fall, there will be three major Detroit exhibitions at Art Basel Paris at the Grand Palais (Oct. 23-26), the Palais de Tokyo (Oct. 18-Nov. 9), and at Hôtel de Talleyrand (Oct. 21-23).
The exhibiting artists were selected via a nominations process conducted by 50 community leaders and an independent selection jury of Michigan curators and beyond.
Following Art Basel there will be seven additional exhibitions outside of Michigan, activations at the Art House, and a multi-day art fair in Detroit in 2028.
“We want to make sure we draw the art world to Detroit,” says Egan. “It’s time to show the world the artistic brilliance Detroit has always had, and will always have.
The full list of exhibiting artists includes Zahra Almajidi, Peter Bernal, Akea Brionne, Allana Clarke, Maya Davis, James Benjamin Franklin, Levon Kafafian, Lauren Kalman, Na Forest Lim, Kylie Lockwood, Tiff Massey, Mario Moore, Joey Quiñones, Jamea, Richmond-Edwards, Tylonn J. Sawyer, Graem Whyte, Andrew Wilson, lisa waud, Bakpak Durden, Conrad Egyir, Carole Harris, Scott Hocking, Hubert Massey, Katie Mongoven, Keisha Miller, Senghor Reid, Rashaun Rucker, Shirley Woodson, Olayami Dabls, Clare Gatto, KESSWA, and Kesiena Wanogho.