Michigan Legacy Art Park will present Detroit artist Charles McGee with the 2019 Legacy Award in recognition of a lifetime of achievements and influences as an artist, teacher, advocate and global citizen.

The award will be presented as part of the Legacy Gala, the signature fundraiser for the nonprofit Michigan Legacy Art Park. The annual event, presented again by Thompsonville residents Mo and Linda White, will take place on Friday, August 16th, 2019 at Crystal Mountain, an award-winning four-season ski and golf resort.

Lyndsay McGee, daughter of the artist, will be in attendance to accept the award on behalf of her 94-year-old father.  Former Director of the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum at Saginaw Valley State University and MLAP Board Member, Marilyn Wheaton, will pay tribute to her longtime friend.  Art Park Board Member Mary Ann Cheney is the event’s Chair.

“I am so grateful I was able to meet someone like Art Park founder David Barr on my journey of learning. His energy really inspired me and has been a guiding light in my creative experiences. The park is a didactic building block for the community,” said McGee upon learning he had been selected to receive the award.

Detroit Artist Charles McGee

With a distinguished career spanning eight decades, McGee is recognized internationally as a cultural icon of Detroit. His work is cherished in many contemporary art collections around the world, as well as the permanent collections of the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit and the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City.

He has been a significant influence for generations of young artists through teaching and mentoring, as well as founding multiple arts organizations, such as the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit (CAID) and his own Gallery 7 in 1968.  At age 92, McGee oversaw installation of his largest public work, an 11-story mural titled Unity in downtown Detroit’s Capitol Park.

“We are truly honored by the opportunity to salute Charles with this award. We share his belief in the power of art to connect people to each other and the environment around them. His energetic projects and ideas have created a lasting impact on Michigan’s culture, which is exactly what the Legacy Award is designed to recognize,” said Art Park Executive Director Joseph Beyer.

McGee has lived a life marked by overcoming adversity, personal resolve, positivity, and belief in the power of community. He served in the Marine Corps after World War II, continued his creative work in the midst of 1960’s riots, watched as Detroit struggled and was then rejuvenated, and continues to be a strong advocate and inspiration for young artists.

In 1994, the exhibit “Charles McGee Seeing Seventy” traveled to the Dennos Museum in Traverse City; his 2002 work Time Structure hangs permanently in the museum’s indoor sculpture court today.

The Legacy Gala event will feature a video tribute to McGee, silent auction, cocktail hour, sparkling wine reception, locally-sourced dinner, and live-music.

Event sponsorships are still available at michlegacyartpark.org/legacy-gala. Individual tickets for the limited-seating event go on sale April 22, 2019.

SOURCE: Michigan Legacy Art Park

Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].