Cranbrook Artists at Detroit Month of Design 2026
August 25th, 2026
Each September, Design Core Detroit presents Detroit Month of Design, a citywide celebration of creativity gathering artists, designers, and the greater community to celebrate Detroit’s role as a national and global design capital.
Sixty participating alumni and Artists-in-Residence from Cranbrook Academy of Art represent 12 of our current and former programs. Find their work at special events, exhibitions, installations, and open studios throughout the city. See below to catch them all.
If you are an alumnus and missing from this list, please let us know at artalumni@cranbrook.edu.
Cranbrook Academy of Art and Cranbrook Art Museum hosted events:
- Saturday, September 19 from 12 to 5pm: LIVE/WORK: Cranbrook Alumni in Detroit
Over 30 artists are participating, including Zahra Almajidi (MFA Metalsmithing 2021), José Arenivar-Gomez (MFA Ceramics 2018), Randi Bachman (MFA Ceramics 2025) Aaron Blendowski (MFA 3D Design 2006), Lynn Bennett-Carpenter (MFA Fiber 2003), Caroline del Guidice (MFA Sculpture 2020), Brian DuBois (MFA 3D Design 2011), Lisa Farris (MFA Ceramics 2024), Evan Fay (MFA 3D Design 2016), Tatiana Flis (MFA Sculpture 2008), Jenn Gerrity (MFA Ceramics 2025), Nickie Gunning (MFA Ceramics 2021), Syd Hanna (MFA 3D Design 2026), Brooke Herzing (MFA Ceramics 2023), Cyrus Karimipour (MFA Photography 2006), Narine Kchikian (MFA Sculpture 2005), Kira Keck (MFA Fiber 2022), Linda Kentoffio (MFA Print Media 2022), Caleb LeFevre (MFA Print Media 2025), Marceline Mason (MFA Painting 2017), Christian Michovic (MFA Painting 2015), Ardele Monk (MFA Fiber 2023), Bradley Oechsler (MFA Cermaics 2021), Nick Pizaña (MFA Painting 2022), Aaron Damon Porter (MFA Painting 2026), Hayden Richér (MFA Ceramics 2018), Jeff Schofield (MFA Sculpture 2019), Brendan Seyka (MFA 3D Design 2026), Lindy Shewbridge (MFA Painting 2021), Benjamin Teague (MFA Ceramics 2006), Elysia Vandenbussche (MFA Ceramics 2021), and Sophia Wojnovich (MFA 3D Design 2021). - Saturday, September 19 at 3pm: Artist Talk: Cody Norman at Cranbrook Art Museum
Cody Norman (MFA 3D Design 2020) will deliver an artist talk followed by a conversation with Andrew Satake Blauvelt (MFA Design 1988), Director of Cranbrook Art Museum. RSVP on Cranbrook Art Museum’s website. Free with museum admission. - Wednesday, September 23 at 6pm: Fine Design Book Launch and Discussion with Scott Klinker
Celebrate the launch of Fine Design: A Studio Guide to Remixing Design, Art, Craft, and Industry, by Scott Klinker (MFA Design 1996), former Designer-in-Residence of 3D Design/Industrial Design. Scott will be joined in conversation by Andrew Satake Blauvelt (MFA Design 1988), Director of Cranbrook Art Museum. The book signing will begin at 6pm, and the conversation will follow at 6:30pm. RSVP on Cranbrook Art Museum’s website. Free with museum admission. - Saturday, September 26 from 1 to 8:30pm: Design Core Detroit x Cranbrook Academy of Art, Detroit Moves the Future: Festival Closing Symposium
The core program from 1-5:30pm includes talks, tours, speaker presentations, a panel discussion, and more. Stay for music, creative activities, and networking from 5:30-8pm.
Exhibitions and Installations
- Wednesday, September 2 from 6 to 8pm: Opening Reception Dress Poetics at Always Tomorrow
Participating artists include Taylor Childs (MFA Fiber 2024), Gabriela Gutiérrez (MFA Ceramics 2022), Kiwi Phong Nguyen (MFA Metalsmithing 2023), and Dessislava Terzieva (MFA Sculpture 2021). - Friday, September 4 from 6 to 9pm: Opening Reception, Zahra Almajidi: Casting the Net at PLAYGROUND DETROIT
Participating artist: Zahra Almajidi (MFA Metalsmithing 2021) - Saturday, September 5 from 5 to 7pm: Fashion Through the Lens of Fibers W.I.S.E Partnership.
An immersive fiber installation featuring alumna Taylor Childs (MFA Fiber 2024) along with Sudani Shaah and Majesty Hope. - Friday, September 11 from 5-8pm: Opening Reception Crossroads: the Intersection of Black Family Culture at Wayne State University Art Department Gallery
Over 20 Detroit artists, including Cydney Camp (MFA Painting 2023). Also included is Senghor Reid, Artist-in-Residence at Cranbrook Schools (K-12). Opens alongside a solo exhibition of the paintings of artist Sydney James titled Girl Raised in Detroit – Season 47. - Friday, September 11 from 5 to 9pm: Wild.Form: Domestic Survival Exhibition and First Issue Launch at Floyd HQ
Participating artists include Scott Klinker (MFA Design 1996), Maryangela Sanchez Rocca (MFA 3D Design 2026), Nicholas Tilma (MFA 3D Design 2023), Sophia Wojnovich (MFA 3D Design 2021), and Sophie Yan (MFA 3D Design 2017). Also on view September 12-13, and 19-20 from 11am to 5pm. - Friday, September 18 from 5 to 8pm: Opening Reception UnRelated at David Klein Gallery Ferndale
Participating artists include Ebitenyefa Baralaye (MFA Ceramics 2016); Jack Craig (MFA 3D Design 2012); Nina Cho (MFA 3D Design 2015); Dee Clements (MFA 3D Design 2020); Iris Eichenberg, Head of Metalsmithing; Evan Fay (MFA 3D Design 2016); Seth Keller (MFA 3D Design 2011); James Haddrill (MFA Sculpture 2010); Chris Schanck (MFA 3D Design 2011); Wes Taylor (MFA 2D Design 2011); and Alberte Tranberg (MFA Metalsmithing 2018). On view September 10 through October 17. - Saturday, September 26 from 5-8pm: Opening Reception Gyan Shrosbree: Out Fit at Wasserman Works
Gyan Shrosbree’s (MFA Painting 1998) installation brings together her expressive and varied painting practice, layering her paintings to amplify and create a larger artwork in and of itself. Opening alongside Polly Apfelbaum and Ferren Gipson’s solo exhibitions. - Sunday, September 27 from 2-5pm: Reception MOTHERCRAFT: Microchimeric Bodies at Vander Detroit
Participating artists: Olivia Guterson (MFA Painting 2024) and Amy Feigley-Lee (MFA Sculpture 2007). Open gallery hours take place September 24-26, 12-6pm.
Open Studios
- Saturday, September 12 from 2 to 7pm: Grand on the River Open Studios
Participating artist: Nicholas Tilma (MFA 3D Design 2023). - Saturday, September 12 from 2 to 7pm: Dive Open Studios & Viewing Room Exhibition
Participating artists include Cydney Camp (MFA Painting 2023), Marceline Mason (MFA Painting 2017), and Daniel Ribar (MFA Photography 2025).
Experiences, Talks
- Thursday, September 10 from 11:30am to 6pm: Season Talks at College for Creative Studies
Multiple conversations and featured presentations are free and open to the public with registration. Participating alumni include: Clare Gatto (MFA Photography 2017), KESSWA (MFA 4D Design 2025), Wes Taylor (MFA 2D Design 2011), and Ricky Weaver (MFA Photography 2017). - Saturday, September 12 from 6 to 8pm: the eugenie Edit Launch Party
Alumna KESSWA (MFA 4D Design 2025) is featured in the inaugural issue of eugenie EDIT and will DJ the celebration. - Thursday, September 24 at 5:30pm: Community-Engaged Design: Perspectives of Designers + Business Owners at END Studio
Alumna and Interim Head of Architecture, Elise DeChard (MArch Architecture 2017), is Owner and Architect of END Studio and will participate along with three other panelists.
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