Charles McGee, a groundbreaking Black Detroit artist, died this week at age 96, but he lives on in the vibrant sculptures, murals, and other works that can be found throughout the city. You can read more about McGee’s life and work here. 

“Unity” 28 W. Grand River Ave., Detroit In 2017, a towering 118-foot tall black-and-white mural designed by McGee was painted on the side of 28 W. Grand River Ave. in Detroit’s Capitol Park neighborhood. The painting, which incorporated representational elements like a snake and a bird, was realized by Kelly Golden and Jordan Zielke of the Golden Sign Co., and debuted alongside a sprawling retrospective exhibition of McGee’s work by Library Street Collective, spanning more than 70 years. Photo by Sal Rodriguez
“United We Stand” Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History; 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit; 313-494-580; thewright.org Unveiled in 2016, the black-and-white 20-foot-tall sculpture “United We Stand” marks the 50th anniversary of the 1967 civil disturbance in Detroit. Photo by Chuck Andersen, Flickr Creative Commons
“Freedom Bound” Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History; 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit; 313-494-580; thewright.org This colorful work hangs in the rotunda of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Photo by Lee DeVito
“Playscape II” Marygrove Conservancy; 8425 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit; 313-751-5100; marygroveconservancy.org/ Located at the corner of McNichols and Wyoming, across the street from McGee’s longtime studio, this sculpture was dedicated in 2016. Photo by Kelley O’Neill
Untitled mural Detroit Foundation Hotel; 250 W. Larned St., Detroit; 313-800-5500; detroitfoundationhotel.com Completed in 1974 on the former Pontchartrain Wine Cellars (now the Detroit Foundation Hotel) as part of a public works project, this colorful, geometric mural was restored in 2019 with the help of muralist Hubert Massey. Photo courtesy of the Detroit Foundation Hotel
“Noah’s Ark: Genesis” Detroit Institute of Arts; 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900; dia.org This 1984 enamel and mixed media work on masonite incorporates human and animal figures, including a snake and a cat. Photo by Zak Frieling
“Spectral Rhythms” Detroit Institute of Arts; 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900; dia.org Completed in the early 1970s, the acrylic painting depicts fields of gradient colors. Photo by Zak Frieling
“Spirit Renewal” Horace H. Rackham Educational Memorial Building; Farnsworth St. and John R Rd., Detroit This 22-foot-long sculpture was unveiled in 2011 as part of the Art X festival. Photo by Zak Frieling
“The Blue Nile” Detroit People Mover Broadway station; 1441 W. Broadway at John R; thepeoplemover.com Completed in 1987 as part of an “Art in the Stations” public works project for Detroit’s People Mover elevated train system, this painting depicts an African version of Noah’s Ark. Photo by Lee DeVito
“Regeneration” Henry Ford Hospital; 313-916-2600; henryford.com Completed in 2007, this piece hangs in Detroit’s Henry Ford Hospital. Photo courtesy of Henry Ford Health System photographer Ray Manning
Untitled Karmanos Cancer Institute, 4100 John R St., Detroit; 800-527-6266; karmanos.org This colorful piece is located within the Walt Breast Center waiting area. Photo courtesy of Karmanos Cancer Institute
“Unity North” North Rosedale Park Comunity House; 18445 Scarsdale St, Detroit; 313-837-3416; nrpca.org Completed in 2018, this sculpture stands outside the North Rosedale Park Comunity House, near where McGee lived. Photo by Lee DeVito
“Progression” Beaumont Hospital; 3601 W. 13 Mile Rd., Royal Oak; 248-898-5000; beaumont.org According to a statement by McGee, this 2004 work this sculpture “represents the human struggle to purify our environment of disease-bearing microorganisms. It speaks to the spirit of healing and renewal made possible through advancements in medical science.” The piece has a renewed relevancy in 2020, as we continue to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Photo courtesy of Beaumont Health
“Spirit of Ann Arbor” Carver-Gunn Building, 500-506 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor This sculpture was commissioned by the building’s owner, John Carver, and completed in 2012. Photo courtesy of Google Maps
“Lineage” Eastern Michigan University; 900 Oakwood St., Ypsilanti; 734-487-1849; emich.edu McGee was invited to EMU to serve as an artist in residence, where he taught from the late 1960s to the 1980s before retiring from full-time teaching in 1987. Photo courtesy of Eastern Michigan University
“Democracy” East Lansing City Hall/East Lansing 54B District Court building; 410 Abbot Rd., East Lansing; 734-487-1849; cityofeastlansing.com Dedicated in October 1989, the plaque next to the piece states: “Symbolizes East Lansing’s strength of character, sense of community and youthful exuberance.” Photo courtesy of City of East Lansing
“Unity III” Michigan State University, Energy and Automotive Research Building; 1497 Engineering Research Ct., East Lansing; egr.msu.edu “In its purest sense the piece depicts people coming together and the inherent beauty of this synergy,” MSU says of this 2007 piece. Photo courtesy of MSU
“Noah’s Neon I” Central Michigan University; 1200 S. Franklin St., Mount Pleasant; 989-774-4000; cmich.edu Originally completed in 1995, this recently refurbished neon piece is now lighted in the lobby of CMU’s Engineering and Technology Building. It’s one of only three neon pieces that McGee is known to have created. Photo courtesy of CMU
“Gateway (Centennial Sculpture)” Central Michigan University; 1200 S. Franklin St., Mount Pleasant; 989-774-4000; cmich.edu McGee was commissioned by CMU to create this large sculpture in 1992 to celebrate the CMU Centennial. The sculpture is located in a pond between Rose Arena and East Campus Drive, while a maquette is on display on the second floor of the Park Library. Photo courtesy of CMU
“Time Structure” Dennos Museum Center; 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City; 231-995-1055; dennosmuseum.org This 2002 work hangs above the museum’s gift shop. Photo courtesy of Dennos Museum Center

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