The Scarab Club has been a part of cultivating and incubating Detroit’s artists and musicians for close to 110 years. This week the Scarab Club has unveiled a new marketing campaign to bring more attention to the work they do fostering the creative community in the city of Detroit.
The Scarab Club partnered with The Mars Agency to create the new “We Know Detroit By Art” campaign. The new campaign highlights the past, present, and future of the Scarab Club. The campaign will include posters, postcards, t-shirts, and a new book cover for the Club’s Artists’ Annual book.
The Scarab Club is located behind the Detroit Institute of Arts, and is sandwiched between the Michigan Science Center and the College for Creative Studies. There is a chance you might have wondered what was inside the three-story brick building with the tall brick wall located on John R and Farnsworth Street. There is an air of mystery on the outside, but on the inside there is a host of art to see and experience.
Originally the Scarab Club was named after the founder Robert Hopkin, a marine painter. In 1913 the name was changed to The Scarab Club, which is the Egyptian symbol of rebirth.
Both Detroit and the Scarab Club seem to be going through a rebirth of their own these days.
“These are exciting times for the City of Detroit,” said Duncan Campbell, Scarab Club Board of Directors President. “Our community is making a dynamic comeback and the arts are playing an integral role in that revitalization. The Scarab Club intends to build on that momentum by engendering a period of its own ‘rebirth’ while also continuing to celebrate and support local, regional and national artists.”
Along with the new campaign Campbell has worked on increasing the number of members, creating more bonds with other art organizations, reintroducing the Artist’s Annual publication, and unveiling a new website. The Scarab Club also plans on having more impromptu social gatherings.
The building itself has had some improvements as well. There is new lighting in the sketch area, and second level floor has been refinished. Campbell and the Board have also worked on restoring the original 1928 frescos in the women’s restroom and second floor landing. In the 1940’s they were both painted over. The building will receive a new roof, and the garden wall will be reconstructed in the near future.
Members of the Scarab Club get a host of benefits. A few of them are free sketch classes, access to member only events, a parking pass, and discounts at local art retailers. Members also have access to the second floor lounge that has over 250 signatures from artists and lovers of art on the beams.
On a personal note, if you have never been to the Scarab Club, I highly recommend it. There are numerous exhibitions going on throughout the year, and plenty of opportunities to see live music from local artists.
Address: 217 Farnsworth St, Detroit MI 48202
Phone: (313) 831-1250
Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Sunday / 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Office Hours: Monday – Friday / 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.