Scrollathon
Henry Ford Detroit Pistons
Performance Center
Detroit, Michigan 2019
Collaboration with 400 participants
In October 2019, Steven and William engaged with a wide range of Detroit youth and adults, including military personnel, special-needs individuals, at-risk youth, and diverse ethnic group representatives. Each participant first made an individual work of art inspired by a personal experience. In a group-share of their stories, they felt the power of contemporary art to tell uniquely personal stories. Following up, individuals joined together to hand paint beads for the large collaborative artwork, New Beginnings which they can now visit with family and friends at the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center.
New Beginnings, 2019, papier-mâché, paint, varnish, brass grommets, screws, plywood, skim coat, 130 x 130 x 4 inches, The Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center
The Detroit Pistons commissioned Steven and William Ladd to work with 400 people from 17 Detroit-based organizations to create a permanently installed artwork inside the main lobby of the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center. The colors and concentric shapes of the Pistons logo inspired the direction of the artwork. The Ladds incorporated tones of red and blue, bringing in teal as a nod to an earlier version of the Pistons jersey. Concentric shapes sharing a common center represent the Detroit community. The 9 x 9 foot artwork consists of thousands of hand-formed beads, each one hand painted by participants to symbolize the collective power and inherent promise of their city.
New Beginnings installed at The Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center
Portrait Mural of 400 participants, Scrollathon, Detroit, MI
Signature Plate of 400 participants, Scrollathon, Detroit MI, archival paper, ink, 11 x 17 inches
Community Groups
ACCESS Detroit
BINGO Mentors and Mentees - Bing Youth Institute
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan
Cass Community Social Services
City Year Detroit
Covenant House Michigan
Detroit Chess Club
Detroit PAL
Latin Americans for Social and
Economic Development
Peace Players
Ruth Ellis Center
SAY Detroit
Slow Roll Detroit
Spain Elementary
Special Olympics Michigan
U.S. Army Tank - Automotive and Armaments Command
Wish Upon A Teen
Support
New Beginnings and the Detroit Pistons Scrollathon were generously supported by the Detroit Pistons with Cristina Grajales Gallery.
Special thanks to Awenate Cobbina, Charles and Barbara Ladd, Chelsey Oeffler, Chris Economeas, Laurie Ann Farrell, and Nancy Tellem.
