For Immediate Release: Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014
‘Corvette Canvas’ to Benefit
Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
Gala fundraiser project embodies spirit of Detroit’s creative economy
DETROIT – A 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will become a canvas on wheels
when three General Motors automotive designers transform it into a “performance
art car” during the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) Gala Fundraiser
on Friday.
Through paint and brush, the designers will bring to life Detroit’s “creative
corridor,” consisting of industries that merge art, technology and business.
“Creativity is the basis of everything in life, from fine arts to innovation, from
design to manufacturing,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of Global Design and
honorary chairman of the MOCAD gala. “What better way to demonstrate
inspiration and creativity than by having these young GM designers, who helped
create the new Corvette Stingray, transform it into an art car during this event.”
The idea for the Corvette art car was inspired by such famous artists as Andy
Warhol, Peter Max and Frank Stella, all of whom transformed race cars into rolling
works of art.
“There is a lot of creative energy in the city and helping our youth harness it early
is essential to a vibrant Detroit and museum,” said MOCAD Executive Director
Elysia Borowy-Reeder. “In the past year, MOCAD’s Teen Council, workshops,
teacher K-12 advisory group, and student docent programs have made
contemporary art and design accessible to nearly 12,000 youth.”
GM and the GM Foundation have long supported organizations such as MOCAD,
which focus on the role of art and design in contemporary culture while seeking to
inspire future generations to pursue careers in creative arts that could help grow
Detroit’s economy.
“Thanks to the support of industry partners like GM, we can continue the vital work
of inspiring and empowering teens in middle and high school to reach their full
potential, provide pathways to creative professions, and increase diversity in those
important innovative fields,” Borowy-Reeder said.
The Corvette will be painted by three GM Design employees:

Casey Swanseger, 30, a creative designer and graduate of the Cleveland
Institute of Art


Tyler Mars, 28, digital sculptor and a graduate of Detroit’s College for
Creative Studies (CCS)
Haneif Katebi, 25, creative designer, sculptor and a graduate of Detroit’s
College for Creative Studies
The trio will use acrylic, water-soluble paints to create a contemporary art design
on the white vinyl-wrapped Corvette. Using brushes and paint bottles, the
designers will use a mix of patterns to paint the car in 45 minutes, accompanied by
music played by a disc jockey.
Although the designers experimented in advance, the final creative concept will be
kept under wraps until the gala.
Welburn said the Corvette art car project combines experimentation, design and
passion, which can help create awareness of the possibilities of careers in creative
arts and the impact on Detroit’s economy.
“This is a great opportunity to encourage and inspire creativity in young people,
either in the automotive industry or other professions,” he said.
Tickets for the MOCAD Gala Fundraiser and Art Auction can be purchased at the
MOCAD website, http://mocadetroit.org/gala/.
About General Motors Co.
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30
countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastestgrowing automotive markets. GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as
Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the
company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security
and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.
About the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD)
Established in 2006, MOCAD’s mission is to present art at the forefront of contemporary
culture. As a non-collecting institution, MOCAD is responsive to the cultural content of our
time, fueling crucial dialogue, collaboration and public engagement. The museum is an
innovative addition to Detroit’s vibrant Midtown neighborhood and functions as a hub for the
exploration of emerging ideas in the contemporary arts. The 22,000-square-foot building, a
former auto dealership, has been renovated carefully to maintain its historic character. With
its raw, flexible and light-filled cavernous spaces, the building is well-suited to the exhibition
of contemporary art. MOCAD’s ambitious series of public programs aims to engage diverse
audiences and includes lectures, musical performances, films, literary readings and
educational activities for children.
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