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Join us for a chance to learn more about the current work by Gil Ashby and Sabrina Nelson. They will be discussing their process and taking part in a Q&A from guests. Please join us in supporting some of Detroit's most prolific artists!About Gil Ashby
Gil Ashby, born in 1958 in Harlem, New York, is a distinguished illustrator and educator with a career spanning decades. He began his artistic journey at the High School of Art and Design and earned a B.F.A. in Illustration and an M.A. in Visual Journalism from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City. Ashby’s professional work includes courtroom drawings, graphic novels, and children’s book illustrations, such as the acclaimed Rosa Parks by Eloise Greenfield. His art is deeply rooted in portraying positive representations of African Americans, reflecting his commitment to cultural empowerment and social justice.
In 1999, Ashby was appointed department chair to establish the Illustration program at the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit. Under his leadership, the program achieved national recognition, significantly elevating enrollment and academic standards. In 2011, he transitioned to a full-time faculty role and was honored by the Society of Illustrators as the “Distinguished Educator of the Arts.” As an Associate Professor at CCS, Ashby continues to teach figurative drawing, blending traditional and digital painting techniques to inspire the next generation of artists. Through his art and teaching, Ashby remains a transformative figure in the artistic and academic communities.
About Sabrina Nelson
Sabrina Nelson, born in Detroit during the transformative period following the 1967 Rebellion, is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans painting, sculpture, performance, and installations. A graduate of the College for Creative Studies with a degree in painting, Nelson’s art is deeply influenced by Yoruba religion and Eastern and African philosophies, interweaving themes of spirit, motion, and intimacy. With over 35 years as a professional artist and nearly as long as an educator, she has taught studio art at the Detroit Institute of Arts and inspired students at the College for Creative Studies. Nelson has also served as a guest curator for The Carr Center and the Music Hall Performing Arts Center, and her lectures on Black Feminism at the Charles H. Wright Museum underscore her leadership in cultural and social discourse.
Nelson’s work has been exhibited at esteemed institutions such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, as well as in national and international venues, including Art Basel Miami and the American University in Paris. Her pieces are part of permanent collections at the Charles H. Wright Museum and in numerous private collections. Beyond creating art, Nelson has curated exhibitions, judged art competitions, and conducted artist interviews for MyDetroitCable, contributing to Detroit’s vibrant cultural landscape. Through her versatile practice and unwavering dedication, Sabrina Nelson continues to elevate the dialogue around art, identity, and the human experience.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Carr Center, 110 Clifford St, Detroit, MI 48226, United States,Detroit, Michigan
