The Spirit of Detroit statue was
crafted by sculptor artist
Marshall M. Fredericks and cast
in Oslo, Norway then transported
to Detroit. The structure was
ommissioned in 1955 by the
Detroit-Wayne Joint Building
Authority and dedication to the
DWJBA September 23, 1958. This
year will mark the 60th
Anniversary. At the time the
investment was $58,000 - Today’s
appraised value is $6 million.
(Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us
Detroit)
Sculpture’s
Meaning:
“Built
as a
representation
of the
basic
hope of
humanity,
the
sculpture
emphasized
the
symbolism
of
progress
for the
city,
the
Spirit
of
Detroit
endures
forever.”
(Photo
by HB
Meeks/Tell
Us
Detroit)
Detroit-Wayne
Joint
Building
Authority
to hosts
Spirit
of
Detroit
60th
Anniversary
DETROIT
- The
Detroit-Wayne
Joint
Building
Authority
(Authority),
owner
and
steward
of the
Spirit
of
Detroit
sculpture,
is
commemorating
the 60th
anniversary
of the
world
renown
icon
located
at the
Coleman
A. Young
Municipal
Center.
The
Spirit
of
Detroit
was
commissioned
by the
Authority
in 1955,
dedicated
September
1958 and
celebrates
its 60th
anniversary
September
2018. A
community
event is
scheduled
September
21 and
is free
to the
public.
Internationally
renowned
sculptor
Marshall
M.
Fredericks
envisioned
and
created
a
sculpture
for the
city of
Detroit
to
represent
hope,
progress,
and the
“spirit
of man.”
On his
creation
Fredericks
expressed,
"God,
through
the
spirit
of man
is
manifested
in the
family,
the
noblest
human
relationship.”
Sharon
Madison,
Chair,
Detroit-Wayne
Joint
Building
Authority
states,
“Sculptor
Fredericks’
vision
and
meaning
for the
Spirit
of
Detroit
continues
to be
relevant
as
Detroit
residents
and
their
families
are
resilient
and
passionate
about
their
city.”
On
September
21,
12:00 PM
to 2:30
PM the
Spirit
of
Detroit
60th
Anniversary
Community
Celebration
(free
and open
to the
public)
will be
held
downtown
at the
Coleman
A. Young
Municipal
Center
Spirit
Plaza on
Woodward
Ave. at
Jefferson
Ave. The
program
will
include
welcome
remarks,
recognitions,
entertainment
and
refreshments.
Detroit-Wayne
Joint
Building
Authority
Commissioners
Sharon
Madison,
Chair
Lugene
Nelson,
Secretary
Tom
Scott,
Treasurer
A
Spirit
of
Detroit
60th
Anniversary
advisory
committee
comprised
of
elected
officials,
community,
business
and
arts,
education
and
non-profit
resources
was
formed
to
provide
insights
and
support.
Spirit
of
Detroit
60th
Anniversary
Advisory
Planning
Committee
Detroit
City
Council
President
Brenda
Jones*
Wayne
County
Commissioner
Jewel
Ware*
Chris
Collins,
Detroit
Jazz
Festival
Atiim
Funchess,
Detroit
Public
Library
Eunice
Moore,
Arts
Competition
Coordinator
Jessica
Care-Moore,
Black
Women
Rock
Shahida
Mausi,
The
Right
Productions/Chene
Park
Frederick
Morsches,
Honigman,
Miller,
Schwartz
& Cohn
Law Firm
Sabrina
Nelson,
College
for
Creative
Studies
Izegbe
N’Namdi,
N’Namdi
Center
for
Contemporary
Art
Anthony
Smith,
Cass
Technical
High
School
Beverly
Watts,
County
of Wayne
*City of
Detroit
and
County
of Wayne
Legislative
Bodies
Appoint
Detroit-Wayne
Joint
Building
Authori9ty
Commissioners
SPIRIT
OF
DETROIT
FACTS
AND
POINTS
OF
INTEREST
The
Spirit
of
Detroit
statue
was
crafted
by
sculptor
artist
Marshall
M.
Fredericks
and cast
in Oslo,
Norway
then
transported
to
Detroit.
The
structure
was
ommissioned
in 1955
by the
Detroit-Wayne
Joint
Building
Authority
and
dedication
to the
DWJBA
September
23,
1958.
This
year
will
mark the
60th
Anniversary.
At the
time the
investment
was
$58,000
-
Today’s
appraised
value is
$6
million.
Sculpture’s
Meaning:
“Built
as a
representation
of the
basic
hope of
humanity,
the
sculpture
emphasized
the
symbolism
of
progress
for the
city,
the
Spirit
of
Detroit
endures
forever.”
Other
Details:
The
City of
Detroit
and
County
of Wayne
seals
are
prominently
displayed
in the
marble
wall
behind
the
sculpture.
The
statue’s
left
hand
grips a
gilded
sphere
emanating
rays
that
symbolizes
divinity,
while
its
right
hand
holds a
family,
which
symbolizes
all
human
relationships.
When
installed,
the
26-foot
sculpture
was the
largest
cast
bronze
statue
since
the
Renaissance
period.
In
2008
$170,000
in
restoration
improvements
were
made to
The
Spirit
of
Detroit
in time
for its
50th
Anniversary.
Restoration
funds
came
from
operational
savings;
primarily
energy
conservations.
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