Grand Prix Banner Artwork
Revving Up Recycling: Grand Prix Banner Series
In 2024, I was offered a truckload of used banners from the Detroit Grand Prix—quite literally. What started as an exciting opportunity quickly became an emotional and physical challenge. Hauling the banners alone, in the rain, I found myself overwhelmed by their scale, scent, and weight. But the artist in me couldn’t walk away.
I experimented for months—cutting, shredding, collaging—until I found a way to transform the banners into sculptural elements, blending them seamlessly with my signature acrylic textures. This series became a tribute not only to the energy of the race, but also to Detroit’s grit, resilience, and creative spirit. Each piece preserves a piece of the city’s pulse, reimagined through color, shadow, and movement.
This collection is about pushing boundaries—of material, of process, of self.
Shop the artwork from this project below!
Creative Compass Program Leans Into Sustainability Within the Art Form
As part of my Creative Compass program—an initiative I created to help young minds navigate creativity with confidence—a group of enthusiastic GSSEM Girl Scouts joined me in the studio to explore the world of collage. Creative Compass is designed to empower youth through hands-on, meaningful art experiences that connect them with their communities, their voice, and each other.
Each Scout created their own unique collage using a mix of materials—magazines, treasures from Arts and Scraps, and, most notably, repurposed pieces of Grand Prix banners. Their personal works went home with them, but the Scouts also came together to co-create something larger: a 48"x48" collaborative artwork that celebrates Detroit’s vibrant identity.
With my guidance (and plenty of glue), the girls incorporated beloved Detroit landmarks like The Spirit of Detroit, the Renaissance Center, the Joe Louis “Fist,” and the Horace E. Son Memorial Fountain. We added playful elements too—like a Faygo bottle, the GSSEM badge, a Detroit Lions player cruising in the back of a car, and even a road with foam backing for a 3D effect. One clever detail: the outline of the car was formed using the durable edge of the Grand Prix banner itself, grommets and all.
Even more special? Former Girl Scouts who now volunteer for the Grand Prix joined us, bringing the experience full-circle. Through Creative Compass, this workshop became more than just an art project—it became a celebration of connection, creativity, and the lasting impact of giving back.
