Today we’d like to introduce you to Darcel Deneau.
Hi Darcel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After experiencing a family tragedy I returned to college for creative studies in detroit to finish my fine art degree at the age of 36. In the early 2000’s i started painting positive images of detroit at a time when many did not share my optism and enthusiasm for the city. About 10 years ago I transitioned my medium from painting to using stained glass and found objects to ‘paint’ my urban landscapes. My new medium helped me communicate my message by being a physical representation of rebuilding and restoring the city that i love.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I attended school relatively soon after the tragedy (about 2 years post) happened. I had lost my dad to a home invasion shooting and my mom had been shot as well. She survived with a brain injury and needed a lot of help. I helped my mom a lot, had 2 school aged children and went to school full time while trying to process the grief that I was dealing with. I was determined to accomplish my goals despite the obstacles. The tragedy made me realize how short life really is – my dad died at the age of 54 and my mom was only 51 and her life had forever changed. I was 31 and I thought if I only have 23 years left (like my dad), who am I and what have I accomplished. I wanted to be more than just somebodys wife and somebody’s mother. I have a wonderful husband and he has been there to help and support me every step of the way. I hate that the tragedy happened, but it was a huge wake-up call to start living the life i have.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Born in Detroit and a 2021 Kresge Arts in Detroit Fellow. Originally known for her vivid paintings of Detroit but transitioned from traditional oil paint to painting with glass, making mosaics her exclusive medium since 2017. Using an exclusive process with stained glass and found objects she builds painterly images that parallel the current growth of the city. Her process of re-assembling thousands of tiny pieces of glass is a deliberate attempt to draw a similarity to Detroit’s transformation. Her work has been widely collected and publicly displayed. Her work is held in numerous collections including The Huntington Place, Henry Ford Hospital, Hudson-Webber Foundation, St. Joseph Hospital, Dave and Linda Whittaker, Tim and Marilyn Mast, Gretchen Valade, Nathan Forbes, and Nathan an Karen Cullen. Darcel is an active participant in her community as a guest speaker, juror or visiting artist multiple times a year. After serving as board chair for the Detroit Artists Market, she was invited to be a lifetime honorary board member. She proudly serves as a College for Creative Studies (CCS) alumni council and belongs to a national mosaic organization, SAMA (Society of American Mosaic Artists)
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love Detroit’s rich history and I and very excited about the continued growth and rebirth. Living in mid-town, I’ve met so many people with so much passion and love for the city who have actively participate in organizations, boards, committees who’s missions support the programs and projects that are generating growth helping the many causes that need help. I hate that there are still a lot of people who live
Outside of the city who are unaware of the changes and hang onto the negative perceptions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.darceldeneau.com
- Instagram: Dacel Deneau
- Facebook: Darcel Demeau
