Detroit, Melvin

After graduating from UC Berkeley (BA MA) Melvin Detroit began his art career in Los Angeles as a graphic designer/manufacturer. Detroit lived in Venice in the time when it was morphing into the artsy mecca it is today. He has lived in Santa Fe for 24 years this October. He notes: “ It wasn’t really in the plan to settle in Santa Fe but rather the “wow” effect of Santa Fe that cinched the deal. Trading one artsy mecca for another made coming to live here smooth and rewarding.”

While painting is Detroit’s primary interest he also explores work in pastels, printmaking  and ceramics. This work is a departure from his large scale abstract painting, an incubation place for developing new work. Detroit taught for many years at Turquoise Trail Charter School where he developed and nurtured a visual arts program at a time when art programs were regularly eviscerated in Santa Fe schools. Detroit occasionally offers small workshops in various media and also teaches privately. His work is collected in private and public collections and is currently available directly from the artist. 

Episodes:
Melvin Detroit, Marino Auriti, American Sign Museum, Mike Welton
Mark Childs and Ellen Babcock, painter Melvin Detroit, author Armistead Maupin