The Detroit Public Library (DPL) is excited to present an art and poetry exhibition to showcase the library’s talented, artistic staff, who are employed throughout the library system. This exhibition, Designing After Hours: Artwork by Detroit Public Library Staff, is presented in conjunction with Detroit Month of Design and will be on display in the library’s Galleria through fall 2025.
This year marks a decade since Detroit, Michigan became the first and only UNESCO City of Design in the United States. Detroit artists and designers have been turning the city into a living showcase. Here at DPL, library staff developed and organized this exhibition as an opportunity for the library system to participate in this exciting city-wide celebration.
Designing After Hours: Artwork by Detroit Public Library Staff features painting, photography, and poetry, as well as textiles, mixed media works, and fashion accessories. We are honored to exhibit this artwork in the library, and share other facets of our co-workers' engaging, creative lives.
We want to offer a special thank you to the DPL administration for supporting the development and presentation of this exhibition.
Artists
Christopher Bloodworth
Golden Lady, 2023
Acrylic on canvas
Christopher Bloodworth
Trauma Queen, 2021
Colored pencil on paper
Camille Ann Brewer
Red Line, 2023
Mixed Media collage
Erin Durrett
Blue Lagoon, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
Erin Durrett
In Honor of James Webb, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
Kenneth Gabriel
Monkeys, 2022
Photography
Kenneth Gabriel
NY Street Scene, 2022
Photography
Kalana Gates
Ancestors Watching, 2025
Acrylic on canvas
Kalana Gates
Chiamaka, 2025
Acrylic on canvas
Nafisah Halim
Untitled (Plate), 2024
Acrylic on metal
Susie Hartings
Cake No. 7, 2025
Acrylic on birch
DeAidre Jones
Black Girl Rock, 2022
Oil on canvas
DeAidre Jones
I Can Buy My Own Flowers, 2023
Mixed Media
Tracy Malek
Diametric, 2025
Poetry
Tracy Malek
The Gloaming, 2025
Poetry
Tracy Massey
Crochet Party Poncho, 2025
Acrylic yarn
Anita Mechler
Calabacita, 2025
Acrylic and oil on canvas
Asiah Moore
Ephemeral Dreamscape, 2025
Oil on paper
Asiah Moore
Nevermore, 2025
Oil on paper
Christine Peele
Traverse City, 2024
Photography
Vickie Pride
Untitled (Blue Handbag), 2025
Mixed Media
Vickie Pride
Untitled (Green Handbag), 2025
Mixed Media
Vickie Pride
Untitled (Gray Handbag), 2025
Mixed Media
Liam Roush
Repose, 2025
Watercolor on paper
Kayla Steeby
Untitled—Because Nothing Else Feels Right, 2025
Acrylic yarn
Jackie Sullen
Untitled #1, 2025
Cotton
Jackie Sullen
Untitled #2, 2025
Cotton
Jackie Sullen
Untitled #3, 2025
Cotton
Grace Ward
Boot, 2025
Colored pencil on paper
Grace Ward
Radish, 2025
Colored pencil on paper
Ni’Matullah Watkins
R. E. Hollis and Gretchenella: How My Legacy Began, 2025
Acrylic yarn
Ni’Matullah Watkins
Unstoppable Power, 2025
Acrylic yarn