This DIA reproduction was on display in 2010 at Riverside Park.
Courtesy of DDA
The DIA Inside|Out program, which is in its second year, brings 80 reproductions of masterpieces from the DIA’s collection to communities in the metro Detroit area. Recently the DIA expanded the program to include northern Michigan.
This will be the second time the DIA has displayed art in Ypsilanti.
Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Tim Colbeck said the DDA first brought DIA art to Ypsilanti in 2010.
"They had approached Ypsilanti to be one of the pilot communities and they gave us one piece of art to be installed at Riverside Park right before the Tridge," Colbeck said. "Based on that success, last year they went to different communities and broadened it anywhere from five to seven (art pieces.)"
Colbeck said the DIA had promised it would come back to Ypsilanti at some point in the future because of the positive response it received. Colbeck said the city received a good response to the program.
The city can either participate in the spring portion of the program from April to June or the summer portion from July to September. Colbeck said the city will most likely choose the summer because of the many events it has during those months.
No spots have been designated yet, but Colbeck said the art may be installed at Riverside Park, Eastern Michigan University's Pease Park or key businesses around the city, including possibly some of the historic buildings. Permission would have to be granted from the Historic District Commission to do so.
Colbeck said having this sort of program in Ypsilanti is a "cultural amenity."
"It's something that makes people want to be here," Colbeck said. "If people are out there trying to find those pieces of art, hopefully they'll stop at some of our businesses. Having art makes your downtown more attractive and, in all honesty, Ypsilanti is a community that has demonstrated an appreciation for art. It's a nice fit."