Today on Open Studio we had the pleasure of speaking with collector, philanthropist and cultural influencer Lynn Weaver Pitts.  Our conversation gave us insight on what drives her to collect; the memorable moment of her first art acquisition; her philosophy on investing in art; why emerging artist are important and the significance of our community supporting and sustaining African American museums.

Today on Open Studio we had the pleasure of once again interviewing artist Rashaun Rucker! In season one Rashaun‘s episode was the #1 shared and listened episode of Open Studio’s first season. What a joy it is to have him back to discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on his health and creativity; his connection with the Harlem Renaissance; partnering with Speedball Art; his humble philanthropic upbringing that continues to shape his life today and the blockbuster season he has in store for 2021!

Today on Open Studio: Conversations on Art, GMAS sits down with artist Rashaun Rucker, a local and national Emmy Award winner for documentary photography, a Harvard University Maynard Fellow, a Black Enterprise magazine Modern Man honoree, a 2019 Kresge Fellow and an artist with the distinction of having his artwork featured in the HBO production, Random Acts of Flyness and the documentary 12th & Clairmount. Rashaun shares how 6th grade was a pivotal point in defining his love for art and finding what he called “his tribe”; why his living room has become his “de facto studio”; how reading inspires his work and the importance of using his platform to speak to the marginalization of the Black Man.

Today on Open Studio: Conversations on Art, GMAS sits down with Nettie Seabrooks, consultant to the Manoogian Foundation at the Detroit Institute of Arts, former Deputy Mayor of the City of Detroit and philanthropist extraordinaire! Nettie’s engaging conversation and enthusiasm had us hanging on her every word as she shared her career climb in corporate America; earning her master’s degree in Art History at the age of 70 and the intricate role she played in the birth of the DIA‘s General Motors Center for African American Art.

Today on Open Studio: Conversations on Art, GMAS sits down with Asia Hamilton, artist and founder of Norwest Gallery of Art in Detroit, MI, on the eve of the gallery’s two-year anniversary. Asia shared some of her early days of collaborating with “Dopest Ethiopian Collective”, dedicating her current exhibition “Hair-Archy” to her legendary father who was a hair giant in Detroit and around the world, and why she stays focused on giving artist opportunities to have a place to showcase their work!