A Cranbrook Collaboration: Artist-in-Residence Ian McDonald Designs Trophy for the 2026 Cranbrook Tennis Classic
One-of-a-kind trophies for the 2026 Cranbrook Tennis Classic designed by Ian McDonald, fabricated by Smith Shop Detroit. Photo by Midge Wattles.
When the fourth annual Cranbrook Tennis Classic returns next week at Cranbrook Kingswood, winners will receive trophies that are themselves works of art — and genuinely Cranbrook objects, from concept to fabrication.
From left: Gabriel Smith (Co-Owner, Smith Shop), Amy Weiks (Co-Owner Smith Shop), Samual Patmon (Apprentice, Smith Shop), and Ian McDonald (Artist-in-Residence, Head of Ceramics at Cranbrook Academy of Art). Photo by Painted Impressions Productions.
The 2026 championship trophy was designed by Ian McDonald, Artist-in-Residence and Head of Ceramics at Cranbrook Academy of Art, and manufactured by Cranbrook alumna Amy Weiks (MFA Metalsmithing 2012) and her partner Gabriel Smith at their blacksmithing studio, Smith Shop Detroit.
McDonald’s design draws on the architectural vocabulary of Eliel Saarinen — specifically the ornamental gates and structural details found across the Cranbrook campus, translating that design heritage into a sculptural trophy that connects the tournament to the legacy of the place it calls home. In a recent video, McDonald details his design process while Weiks and Smith walk through its fabrication, offering a rare look at how a piece moves from sketch to finished metal object.
The commission reflects a deliberate approach by tournament founder David DeMuth and the Cranbrook Tennis Classic to build the event’s identity around the institution’s design heritage. “Every touchpoint matters. Every experience matters. And with the incredible architectural and design heritage of Cranbrook, the visual presentation is critical,” DeMuth told DesignRush.
The Cranbrook Tennis Classic has grown into one of the most recognized stops on the ATP Challenger circuit. The tournament was named the 2025 ATP Challenger Tournament of the Year, voted by players and ATP staff, and returns in 2026 with ATP Challenger 125 status, a $230,000 prize purse, and competitors from more than 20 countries. The event is run through the nonprofit Tennis Forward, with all proceeds benefiting the Palmer Park Tennis Academy in Detroit.
The Cranbrook Tennis Classic runs July 19–26 at Cranbrook Kingswood’s award-winning tennis facility. For tickets and more information, visit cranbrooktennisclassic.com.
Learn more:
Cranbrook Tennis Classic Builds Its ATP Challenger Brand With Design – Design Rush
Cranbrook Tennis Classic returns July 19 – 26 – Reel 360
