Detroit and City Walls unveil DCLEATED, a massive cleat art installation for the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit

City officials join DCLEATED artists and their organizations. (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit)

HOME I I HI TECH NEWS I SPORTS I CONTACT


	Twenty large football cleats, made by Prop Art Studios in Detroit and coated by Double Jay's Collision in Detroit, were used as canvases for 20 local artists. (City Photo)
	Detroit and City Walls unveil DCLEATED, a massive cleat art installation for the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit By Justin Tyme tellusdetroit.com The City of Detroit, along with Detroit City Walls and community partners, are preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft by creating an impactful art installation project called "DCLEATED". This project involves local artists painting huge cleat sculptures, which will be auctioned off after the draft to benefit charities selected by City Walls or the artists themselves. The name "DCLEATED" is inspired by football terminology - in football, a big impact hit is called a "decleating". Deputy Chief Operating Officer Jessica Parker and the team at City Walls were joined today by community partners at the Detroit Medical Center, Visit Detroit, Detroit Lions, Detroit Sports Commission & SpaceLab Detroit and others as they unveiled the cleats to the community. As up to a million fans descend upon Detroit for the highly anticipated event, DCLEATED will showcase the talent of local artists while raising awareness and funds for vital Detroit-based causes. We know these colossal cleats will have an immense impact. “Over the course of the past decade, Detroit has become known as more than the Motor City and Motown, we have become internationally known for our art scene,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “The City Walls program has worked with talented Detroit artists to turn more than 200 walls across Detroit into beautiful works of art, and now it’s bringing murals on cleats to the streets of Downtown Detroit to celebrate the NFL Draft." Director of Blight Remediation, Zachary Meers thanks local artists and community partners for their support. (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit) Twenty large football cleats, made by Prop Art Studios in Detroit and coated by Double Jay's Collision in Detroit, were used as canvases for 20 local artists. These artists, selected through a competitive open call process, collaborated with non-profit organizations in the area to create designs for their cleats that represented the organization's mission and story. Trae Isaac, a Detroit artist, applied for the City Walls "DCLEATED" project on behalf of The Children's Center (TCC). Isaac was drawn to the project because of his personal experience with art as a means of coping with losing his younger brother and mother to cancer between 2006-2008. He saw a connection between his experience and the work that TCC does, which helps children transform trauma into triumph through various services and programs. In addition to his passion for TCC's mission, Isaac was excited to be a part of the City of Detroit's efforts to welcome participants, organizers, and fans of the NFL Draft. He saw the project as a significant personal and professional milestone. Isaac expressed his gratitude to the City of Detroit for continuing to incorporate visual arts into the development of the community and to TCC for allowing him to represent their mission through his artwork. Nicole Wells Stallworth, CEO of The Children's Center, expressed her excitement about the art installation throughout Detroit. She was grateful to Trae Isaac for selecting TCC as the beneficiary of his creative inspiration and the auction sale of his cleats. Stallworth believed that the art installation would have a positive impact on the mental health of Detroiters by reducing stigma and raising awareness of TCC's mission to help children and families shape their own futures. In April, the city of Detroit will be displaying some striking art pieces in its downtown area. These art pieces will be promoting the city's artistic spirit and the causes it supports. Visit Detroit and the Detroit Sports Commission have played an important role in the success of the DCLEATED project. They helped secure hotel locations and opportunities for fundraising for selected charities. Their collaboration with the Detroit Hotel Association and City Walls made the process smoother for all partners. Visit Detroit and the Detroit Sports Commission also procured online auction services and will manage the online auction for the DCLEATED cleats. This partnership will help raise more funds for Detroit-based charities by reaching a wider audience. Harriet Carter, Vice President of Customer and Partner Services at Visit Detroit, said that "DCLEATED" fosters creativity, innovation, and cultural identity in Detroit. This initiative showcases the city's creative spirit and enriches the experience of residents and visitors. It's inspiring to see City Walls x City of Detroit investing in their local artists, and "DCLEATED" is a shining example of community-driven initiatives surrounded by a significant event such as the NFL Draft. The Detroit Lions are hosting one of the cleats, with a mural painted by the internationally acclaimed artist Fel'le. "We are thrilled to partner with DCLEATED and their team of artists on this city-wide installation to celebrate the NFL Draft in Detroit," said Caine. "This artistic expression is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the important work Detroit's non-profit space is doing and dedicated to in our community." Muralist Juliana Rabban stands beside her artwork, which will be located at Coleman A. Young International Airport. (City Photo) The DCLEATED initiative will hold an auction online, which will go live in the first week of April and will conclude after the NFL Draft. The event will celebrate the artists and their charities, and it will be sponsored by the Detroit Medical Center. At a private event, the cleats will be displayed, and the auction will close. All proceeds will benefit the corresponding local cause. Brittany Lavis, CEO of Detroit Medical Center, said, "The NFL Draft will shine the spotlight on the City of Detroit, the heart of the DMC's core focus and priority. We are proud to be involved in the DCLEATED initiative, and we are fortunate that the Children's Center and Children's Hospital of Michigan will benefit from this effort. At the DMC, we believe healthcare is better together, and we are proud to partner with the City of Detroit to engage our community and visitors to help make our community a happier and healthier place." Artist Trae Isaac joins Nicole Stallworth, CEO of the Children's Center. (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit) Bethany Howard, the City Walls Program Manager, is thrilled about the potential impact of the DCLEATED initiative. "The project has connected artists and stakeholders through art that reflects their energy, celebrates Detroit's talent, and amplifies local causes. Connecting with the artists and meeting the passionate leaders behind these causes is an experience that'll inform our community engagement going forward. Artists inspire with their work, and the entire process has already fostered collaboration and community spirit." She hopes the joy of these sculptures is felt long after the draft. The cleats will be placed around Detroit beginning next week.