CCS alumna Elizabeth Salonen made waves at NeoCon 2025, partnering with Bernhardt Design to create a captivating experience in their showroom, Space 320 at The Mart. Salonen, a distinguished multidisciplinary artist-designer, has unveiled “Meditations on Canvas,” a series of seven meticulously hand-stitched large-scale works that truly embody her unique Finnish design ethos: functional beauty intertwined with a deep connection to materiality.

Salonen’s creative journey is extensive. She founded Mottoform, her design studio, in Helsinki in 2005, later moving its base to Ontario, Canada. Her expertise spans a wide array of disciplines, from product design, ceramics, and textiles to interiors, lighting, and the crafting of collectible art and objects.

Her innovative work has garnered international acclaim, including the prestigious honor of being named Industrial Designer of the Year in Finland in 2012. She graduated from CCS with a degree in Industrial Design.

First fellowship cohort in history of program to receive $50,000 each

Kresge Arts in Detroit announced the 2025 Kresge Artist Fellowships and Gilda Snowden Emerging Artist Award recipients. Twenty-five artists received the no strings attached prize from the program, administered by the College for Creative Studies (CCS) on behalf of The Kresge Foundation.

For the first time in history, each Kresge Artist Fellow will receive a $50,000 award, up from $40,000 last year—doubling the original $25,000 fellowship established in 2008.

“Each year, the Kresge Artist Fellowships reaffirm a profound truth: that Detroit’s creative community is a force of resilience, vision, and transformation,” said Rip Rapson, President and CEO of The Kresge Foundation. “This year’s recipients exemplify the depth and breadth of artistry rooted in this city—from poetry that reclaims identity and uplifts voice, to visual work that reframes legacy, place, and memory. Together, their contributions move us beyond what is seen and heard, into what must be felt—reminding us that the arts are not simply reflections of Detroit’s vitality, but active architects of its future.”

The 17th cohort of artists consists of 5 Kresge Artist Fellows in Literary Arts and 10 Kresge Artist Fellows in Visual Arts, in addition to 3 Gilda Award recipients in Literary Arts and 7 in Visual Arts. Awards in each category are proportional to the relative number of applications received.

Visual Arts Fellows

Taurus Burns, Painting (CCS Alumni) Donald Calloway, Interdisciplinary Work (CCS Alumni) Malak Cherri, Painting Allana Clarke, Interdisciplinary Work Maya Davis, New Media (CCS Alumni) Kimberly LaVonne*, Ceramics Elise Marie Martin, Installation (CCS Alumni) Ivan Montoya, Painting (CCS Alumni) April Anue Shipp, Interdisciplinary Work Slumdog Visionaire, Photography

Literary Arts Fellows

Louis Aguilar**, Creative Nonfiction Beenish Ahmed, Fiction Anetria Cole*, Playwriting Marwa Helal, Poetry Brittany Rogers*, Poetry

*past Gilda Award recipient **past Kresge Artist Fellow

Since its founding, Kresge Arts in Detroit has awarded nearly $10 million in unrestricted dollars directly to Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb county artists through 17 Kresge Eminent Artist Awards, 317 Kresge Artist Fellowships, and 72 Gilda Awards ($5,000 each).

“We consistently receive feedback from artists about the transformative impact of these awards—they open doors, create connections, afford time for rest, and offer capacity for artistic growth and exploration,” said Katie McGowan, director of Kresge Arts in Detroit. “Unrestricted grants underscore the core principle that artists deserve to be respected and valued. We look forward to seeing how this increased monetary investment in individual artists strengthens the arts and culture landscape in Detroit and beyond.”

Elevating Artists’ Careers

In addition to the monetary prize, Kresge Arts in Detroit connects fellows and Gilda Award recipients to legal and accounting support, promotional opportunities, and more. Fellows also are invited to participate in a film series highlighting Detroit artists. The films featuring the 2024 Kresge Artist Fellows premiered on Detroit PBSand are available online.

“The incredible class of 2025 Kresge Fellows and Gilda Award recipients displays the rich diversity of the arts in Detroit,” said Don Tuski, President of the College for Creative Studies. “The College for Creative Studies is proud to honor these artists and their outstanding artistic achievements.”

The Gilda Snowden Emerging Artist Awards

Gilda Awards are $5,000 prizes for emerging artists, named in honor of beloved Detroit artist and mentor Gilda Snowden(1954–2014). The recipients are selected from the applicants for the Kresge Artist Fellowships. Gilda Awards recognize early-career artists who are:

  • gaining momentum
  • demonstrating exceptional potential through creative risk-taking
  • pushing the boundaries of their chosen art form

Gilda Awards in Visual Arts

Akea Brionne, Interdisciplinary Work Taylor Childs, Fiber (CCS Alumni) Jimel, Photography Amara Murphy, Photography Oshun, Painting Frisly Soberanis, New Media Cat Washington, Fiber

Gilda Awards in Literary Arts

Laura Kraftowitz, Creative Nonfiction Megan Peiser, Creative Nonfiction Maddox-Julien Slide, Fiction

A Competitive Selection Process

Artists were selected through a months-long review process involving new panels of local and national arts professionals to reduce bias and provide fresh perspectives. Selection is based on:

  • a demonstrated track record of artistic achievement and high-quality work,
  • the potential to grow and advance one’s artistic career; and
  • the potential to reflect, enhance, or impact communities within metro Detroit.

“I believe this cohort of artists represents how multifaceted excellence can be,” said Sharbreon Plummer, 2025 Visual Arts panelist. “They are thinking critically about their respective practices and are unafraid to push boundaries within their respective media.”

2025 Visual Arts Panelists

Ethan Bach, Experiential artist; Founder and executive creative producer, Alt Ethos Mariam Ezzat, Sculptor; 2019 Kresge Artist Fellow Asia Hamilton, Photographer; Curator; Gallerist; Administrator, Columbia College of Arts Chicago Sharbreon S. Plummer

“The 2025 Literary cohort feels like a slow drive through Detroit,” said 2025 Literary Arts panelist Jeni De La O. “Street to street the scenery changes, but mile after mile the feeling is the same: craft without pretension, precision with heart.”

2025 Literary Arts Panelists

Michael Awkward, Gayl A. Jones Professor of Afro-American literature and culture, emeritus, University of Michigan Jeni De La O, Poet; Creator, The Brown Study; 2021 Kresge Artist Fellow Michelle Cruz Gonzales, Author; Menopunk; Professor of composition and creative writing, Las Positas College Josh Malerman, Author; songwriter; film director/producer; cartoonist Lev Mirov, Poet; Author; Fabulist; Interdisciplinary Artist; Historian; Doctoral candidate at Antioch University

Artist Information: For artist bios, photos, social media handles, and contact information, please visit 2025 PRESS FOLDER.

Kresge Arts in Detroit is generously funded by The Kresge Foundation and administered by the College for Creative Studies. The goals of Kresge Arts in Detroit are to enrich the quality of life for metro Detroiters by helping artists provide a broad spectrum of cultural experiences; celebrate and reflect the richness and diversity of our community in all its aspects; heighten the profile of arts and artists in our community; and strengthen the artistic careers of local

Artists. Since 2008, Kresge Arts in Detroit has awarded nearly $10 million through 17 Kresge Eminent Artist Awards, 317 Kresge Artist Fellowships, and 72 Gilda Awards ($5,000 each). The fellowships are currently $50,000 each and the Eminent Artist Award is $100,000. kresgeartsindetroit.org

The Kresge Foundation The Kresge Foundation was founded in 1924 to promote human progress. Today, Kresge fulfills that mission by building and strengthening pathways to opportunity for low-income people in America’s cities, seeking to dismantle structural and systemic barriers to equality and justice. Using a full array of grant, loan, and other investment tools, Kresge invests more than $160 million annually to foster economic and social change. For more information visit kresge.org.

The College for Creative Studies (CCS). The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is a nonprofit, private college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and authorized by the Michigan Department of Education to grant Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. CCS, located in midtown Detroit, strives to provide students with the tools needed for successful careers in the dynamic and growing creative industries. CCS fosters students’ resolve to pursue excellence, act ethically, engage their responsibilities as citizens, and learn throughout their lives. With world-class faculty and unsurpassed facilities, students learn to be visual communicators who actively use art and design toward the betterment of society.

The College is a major supplier of talent to numerous industries, such as transportation, film and animation, advertising and communications, consumer electronics, athletic apparel, and many more. Its graduates are exhibiting artists and teachers, design problem solvers and innovators, as well as creative leaders in business. collegeforcreativestudies.edu

This year, CCS was selected as one of just 33 leading European and American educational institutions of fashion, design, and art to participate in the Louis Vuitton Accessories Design Graduate Initiative. This prestigious honor opened the door for all final-year undergraduate and graduate students at CCS to submit designs, with the initiative’s winner receiving the chance to relocate to Paris and secure a position with Louis Vuitton.

Among applicants globally, CCS’s own Omkar Jadhav, ‘25 MFA Graduate Transportation Design, made it to the semi-finals. His exceptional ideation and designs distinguished him from the competition, securing one of a few semi-finalist spots.

Sometimes, the most powerful moments unfold in the simplest of places. For Mark Allen ’94, Transportation design, it happened in a parking lot—an impromptu conversation with a tough instructor that would send him down a road paved with creative milestones, career-defining decisions, and iconic designs. Before he became known as “Mr. Jeep,” Mark’s journey was one of searching and self-discovery. High school hadn’t been a place where he thrived, and after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Though it wasn’t a perfect fit, the experience gave him structure, time to reflect, and eventually, the drive to pursue a more creative path. That path led him to an art college in Seattle, where he initially studied product design.

It was there that fate—and a frank professor—intervened. “He was hard on me, really hard,” Mark recalled. But after one class, that same professor stopped him in the parking lot and asked a question that shifted everything: “What do you really want to do?” When Mark admitted he dreamed of becoming a car designer, but didn’t think he had the talent, the instructor didn’t laugh. Instead, he pointed Mark toward schools like ArtCenter or the College for Creative Studies, calling them the “Harvard” of design education. That vote of confidence gave Mark the direction he’d been missing.

During a holiday trip to Detroit with his girlfriend—now wife—he toured CCS. He was both inspired and intimidated by what he saw: students sculpting clay models, producing stunning sketches, and breathing life into automotive visions. Back in Seattle, he poured himself into building a portfolio, and when a CCS admissions rep visited Portland, he took a leap of faith. He was accepted.

In 1990, Mark made the cross-country move to Detroit in a U-Haul, ready to begin the next chapter. At 26 years old and a military veteran, he didn’t exactly fit the mold of a “typical” CCS student. Most of his classmates were fresh out of high school. But Mark brought with him a deep well of life experience, discipline, and hands-on skills that helped him stand out. He was determined not to waste the opportunity. “I wasn’t going to be the one who failed,” he said.

Over time, he found that CCS was the right fit—not just creatively, but personally. He built lasting friendships, honed his abilities, and finally felt like he was on the right path.

At the time, Chrysler was headed for a product renaissance. Mark landed an internship there, and when he graduated, he was the only designer hired into Chrysler’s studios that year. Over time, he contributed to Dodge, Chrysler, Ram, and Jeep projects. Though he initially gravitated toward sleek, fast cars, a visit to the Moab Easter Jeep Safari in 2001 changed everything.

“I came back hooked,” he said. The rugged terrain, the Jeep community, the spirit of off-road adventure—it all clicked. He began focusing more on Jeep design and eventually rose to become its head designer. Under his watch, Jeep evolved dramatically—most notably with the launch of the four-door Wrangler, a vehicle that shifted the brand’s place in everyday life. Once considered a fun, secondary vehicle, Jeep became a primary car for families and adventurers alike. “It was like going from a speedboat to a station wagon,” he joked. Even Mark wasn’t sure the four-door would succeed—but it became a defining success story for the brand.

He also brought a sense of fun and storytelling to design, championing the now-famous Jeep “Easter eggs”—small hidden details designed to delight customers and surprise them long after purchase. One fan-favorite example? A tiny silhouette of a vintage Willys Jeep scaling a hill, hidden in the corner of a Wrangler windshield. “They cost the company nothing,” Mark said, “but they meant everything in terms of connection.” These whimsical features became a hallmark of the brand and a reflection of Mark’s belief that design should have heart and humor.

That blend of story and style showed up even earlier in his career, when Mark designed the 1999 Dodge Power Wagon Concept, unveiled at the North American International Auto Show. Inspired by the original Dodge Power Wagon, it featured a bold, modern design and a Caterpillar turbodiesel engine. Though the concept truck never made it to production, it found an unexpected second life: as a Hot Wheels car. The casting became a collectible, even receiving a tooling update in 2009. For Mark, seeing his design shrink down to fit in the palm of someone’s hand was surreal—and incredibly fun. “It was real, it was tangible, and it was something I could show my kids,” he said.

Mentorship and leadership became natural extensions of his work. Though he didn’t have formal mentors, Mark looked up to industry figures like Tom Gale and sought to emulate their integrity and passion. He believed in strong ideas over flashy sketches and often hired designers based not on polish, but on bold storytelling and conceptual clarity.

After decades at Jeep—and helping shape it into the global brand it is today—Mark retired with deep gratitude for the journey. He speaks with pride about those who came after him, particularly Vince Galante ‘05, who succeeded him at Jeep, and the many young designers he mentored along the way. He still keeps in touch with his former team. The bonds forged in clay studios and design reviews endure, just like the timeless vehicles he helped create.

For Mark Allen, it all started with a conversation. A moment of honesty and encouragement that steered him toward CCS, toward Chrysler, toward a career that would influence an entire generation of design. His story reminds us that creativity isn’t just about talent—it’s about curiosity, courage, and the willingness to chase a dream, even if it takes a couple of U-Hauls and a few thousand miles to get there.

CCS’s 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, Sabrina Nelson, ’91 Fine Arts, will never forget her first visit to College for Creative Studies.

It was 1985, and Nelson was fresh out of Detroit’s Cooley High School. The graphic designer at her summer job with the State of Michigan — CCS alum Rob Kangas, ’80 Photography— had encouraged her to apply, even going as far as setting up her admission interview and dropping her and her sketchbook off at the Yamasaki Building.

A mom at 15, Nelson had filled her sketchbook with drawings of her baby and other things important to her, like the covers of her favorite Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson and Prince albums, along with the required calligraphy. She wasn’t aware that she’d needed a portfolio, or even what one was — until the admissions counselors pushed her artwork back across the table and said, “No, you’re not ready.”

“I was angry. I felt ignored. I felt invisible,” said Nelson, who left the interview without being offered advice or even a tour. “And because I’m hyper independent, it pissed me off.”

Although the expression “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” may not have been intended for art school rejections, it certainly applies to how Nelson handled hers. While she waited for Kangas to pick her up, she explored campus on her own. Sketchbook tucked under her arm, she walked through the Industrial Design studios, asking students to show what they were working on, knowing she was equally capable.

“I felt ashamed because I knew I was an artist and I knew I was good.”

Kangas made Nelson another appointment, this time with Hope Palmer at Henry Ford Community College (now Henry Ford College). She was accepted and stayed for a year and a half, with Palmer advising her on what classes to take.

“I left with a 4.0 and a hell of a portfolio”

“And I made another appointment with the same people who rejected me.”

Although the three admissions counselors didn’t remember Nelson from her first CCS interview, they wouldn’t forget her again. Impressed with her portfolio, especially her figure and life drawings, they not only offered her admission but also nearly a full tuition scholarship.

By that time, Nelson was 20 and the mother of two. Still nursing her son — Mario Moore, ’09 Illustration, recipient of CCS’s 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award — she took the campus by storm. She asked to work in the Admissions Office for her work-study, hoping to ensure no other CCS hopefuls left rejected and dejected. She raised her voice when Black artists weren’t studied in art history classes. Children often in tow, she served on student government and as president of BART (Black Artists Researching Trends).

View Sabrina’s work at https://www.sabrinanelsonart.com/

Sabrina Nelson speaks at a podium during the CCS commencement ceremony.
Sabrina Nelson receives recognition onstage during the CCS commencement ceremony.
Sabrina Nelson poses with family following the CCS commencement ceremony.
Sabrina Nelson holds her award while seated in commencement regalia.
Sabrina Nelson smiles while seated in commencement regalia.

CCS is proud to announce its 2025 honorary degree recipients: Michael Simcoe, Senior Vice President, General Motors (GM) Global Design, and Suchi Reddy, acclaimed architect, designer, artist and American Institute of Architects Fellow. Reddy will also deliver the commencement address for the graduating class of 2025. As the founder of the New York City-based Reddymade, Suchi Reddy champions a design philosophy rooted in neuroaesthetics, creating impactful public art installations, dynamic commercial spaces and thoughtful residential designs. Guided by her mantra “form follows feeling,” Reddy’s architectural and artistic practice is informed by her research on neuroaesthetics, which examines the profound connection between our surroundings and our brain and body.

Reddy’s most celebrated projects include the first flagship Google retail space in New York; a minimalist home in Salt Point, New York, with artist Ai Weiwei; “Look Here,” a solo exhibition at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.; “X,” a temporary sculpture in the center Times Square; “A Space For Being,” a collaboration with Google, Johns Hopkins, and Muuto during Salone del Mobile measuring the impacts of neuroaesthetics; an award-winning hybrid prefab home in Los Angeles; and The Connective Project in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, featuring 7,000 yellow pinwheels carrying messages and images from the surrounding communities. Reddy currently teaches at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation and serves on several boards, including the Design Trust for Public Space and Storefront for Art and Architecture.

Playing a pivotal role in GM’s transformation, Michael Simcoe currently leads teams and studios worldwide focusing on all aspects of design, including advanced, production and industrial design. As the head of the global design function, and as society experiences a massive shift in mobility, he challenges his teams to innovate and he champions new technologies, helping to accelerate speed to market. Simcoe joined GM in 1983 as a designer at GM Holden in Australia. Over his stellar 42-year global career with the company, Simcoe has held various design roles of increasing responsibility. In 2016, he was appointed to his current role of leading GM Global Design.

In 2023, Simcoe was promoted to Senior Vice President, GM Global Design. Under Simcoe, GM’s design studios have executed numerous award-winning products, including Cadillac’s CELESTIQ, LYRIQ, VISTIQ and ESCALADE IQ; GMC’s HUMMER EV Pickup and SUV; GMC’s Sierra EV; Chevrolet’s Equinox EV, Blazer EV and Silverado EV; and the Buick Envista. He also managed the expansion of GM Design’s Warren, Mich., headquarters with its new Design West design center. Simcoe also currently serves on the boards of the Detroit Institute of Arts and the College for Creative Studies.

Don Tuski, President of the College for Creative Studies, shared his enthusiasm, stating, “We are excited to recognize the remarkable talents of Suchi Reddy and Michael Simcoe with honorary degrees at our 2025 Commencement. These visionary individuals exemplify the power of innovation and creativity, offering invaluable lessons for all our graduating students. It’s a privilege to honor their impactful contributions.”

The College’s commencement ceremony will take place on May 15, 2025 to honor the graduating class of 2025. Reddy and Simcoe will join a list of recent honorary degree recipients, including Ralph Gilles ‘92, Doug Chiang, Patricia Moore, Kevin Beasley ‘07, Edward T. Welburn, Jr., and Brenda Goodman ‘65.

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The College for Creative Studies (CCS) celebrated its fifth iteration of The Show, which took place on April 26, 2025 at 7 p.m. at the General Motors Design Dome. Featuring over 100 looks from 26 students enrolled in CCS’s Fashion Design Program, this year’s runway presentation marked 10 years since the department’s inception in 2015.

The Show 2025 featured collections from Bridget Weiss, Morgan Novetsky, Jackie Kramer, Nicholas Alberto Madruga, Justin Hilberer, Emma Wilson, Meka Johnson, Robert Robinson, Santino Giglio, Luka Galle-Callahan, Sophia Jensen, Avery Mangum, Sarah Nofar, Bryce Truby, Aidan Richards, Bryn Hazen, Athan Hillman, Imani Stowers, Quade Feller, Kaiden McArthur, Maxwell Honeycutt, Veronica Wardowski, Izzy Abohasira, Marwa Bissada, Falina Jimerson and Griffin Mesner.

The show had over 400 guests throughout the evening. Notable attendees include Rea Brayshaw, Office Magazine; Chuck Bennett, Fox 2 News Style Ambassador; Awenate Cobbina, Bedrock; Cassell Ferere, Forbes; Catherine and Nathan Forbes, The Forbes Company; Ralph Gilles, Stellantis; Darwin “Detroit Dar” Gordon, Influencer; Ryan Patrick Hooper, WDET; Erica Jackson, Soho House; Roslyn Karamako, Detroit is the New Black; Danialle Karmanos?, Mad Dog Technology; Nate Lynn, Detroit Lions; Diane Mahady, Hèrmes; Tiff Massey, Artist; Mario Moore, Artist; Ann-Marie Mountford, Caleres; Ekanem N. Obong, Michigan Senate; Youwie Roes, KV Roes; Michael Simcoe, Senior Vice President of GM Global Design; Brittany Simmons, Influencer; Gretchen Valade, Carhartt; Millie de la Valette, Louis Vuitton; Tony Whlgn, Artist; Angela Wisnieski, Coup de’Tat; Jennifer Witcher, DJ Minx.

To commemorate this milestone, the theme of this year’s show is “Icons,” celebrating the individuals, institutions and movements throughout history that make Detroit the iconic city it is. As an institution that fosters the next generation of artists and designers in Detroit through its unique experiential learning model, CCS hopes to contribute to furthering the city’s creative economy with its annual runway presentation. The Show brings together entrepreneurs, recruiters, tastemakers and industry professionals to showcase CCS’s fresh class of emerging designers.

Featuring capsule collections from a select group of senior, junior, sophomore and freshman students enrolled in the program, The Show presented a broad range of cutting-edge designs in apparel and accessories. This year, The Show’s media partner was SEEN Magazine.

The CCS Fashion Design Program, heralded as the largest and most equipped fashion accessory design department in the United States, was established a decade ago under the leadership of renowned footwear designer and Linda Dresner Endowed Chair in Fashion Design Aki Choklat. Thanks to the addition of Antwerp designer Rey Pador as associate professor and full-time faculty member, and countless contributions from the department’s dedicated faculty, the department has fully expanded to include Apparel Design, making it the robust program it is today.

The program has grown exponentially over the last ten years, equipping students with the tools they need to enter the job market through supplementary resources such as its Fashion Design Advisory Council. With representatives from Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Tapestry, Hermès, Caleres, Carhartt, CFDA and more, students have the opportunity to engage with these fashion houses and organizations through semester-long sponsored projects as well as jury evaluations twice per year. Looking ahead to the next decade, CCS announced last fall that they have submitted a fashion business management program for 2026 accreditation.

Designed in 1956 as part of Eero Saarinen’s mid-century modern campus, the GM Design Dome revolutionized the automotive industry, marking the first time cars were presented as works of art. Widely recognized today as a historical landmark representing architectural and automotive innovation, the Design Dome’s bold modern aesthetic aligns closely with The Show’s vision, putting designers at the start of their careers in front of a global audience.

SENIOR COLLECTIONS

Justin Hilberer

CCS Senior Justin Hilberer’s collection, Preservation, explores the concept of evolution, honing in on the adaptability of animals. Hilberer’s collection is reflective of how human beings emulate tactics of survival. Drawing parallels between brutalist architecture and cold, uncanny feelings associated with survival, he combines mixed metals, leather and animal fur, manipulating these materials into large, boxy shapes. Referencing how technological advancements by humans speed the process of everyday tasks, all pieces in Hilberer’s collection are meticulously hand-sewn. As a jewelry minor, he incorporates hammer-formed masks and neck pieces, as well as hand-spun chain mail to adorn many of the collection pieces.

Meka Johnson

Inspired by the seven deadly sins, CCS Senior Meka Johnson’s collection, Ambrose, is a gothic spin on wedding attire. Johnson has created seven elaborate gowns that personify each of the deadly sins, signifying their individual relationship to emotional betrayal. Primarily working with satin, tulle, crinoline and cotton, Johnson has fulfilled a need for garments that fall outside of traditional white wedding attire.

Jackie Kramer

CCS Senior Jackie Kramer weaves sacred geometry into every aspect of her final collection. Titled Courage is a Virtue, Kramer follows the parameters of the “golden mean,” or desirable middle ground between two extremes. For this collection, she utilizes leather and wood as her extremes. Every shape crafted into her accessories references geometry, with her primary shapes being a half circle, circle and triangle. She has ensured every piece has an intersection point between the wood and leather to create this middle ground. Her collection is grounded in the famous quote from Aristotle, “Courage is the first virtue that makes all other virtues possible.”

Nick Madruga

Titled “BIONICK,” CCS Senior Nick Madruga’s collection pays homage to his younger self and his relationship with nature. Driven by what he refers to as “simple construction with interesting shapes,” Madruga’s design philosophy leads him to create larger-than-life silhouettes with unconventional, upcycled materials. All garments were constructed by hand and are complemented by custom 3D-printed shoes.

Morgan Novetsky

CCS Senior Morgan Novetsky’s senior accessories collection hones in on the concept of leaving a legacy. As many designers struggle with anxieties of being forgotten or not leaving an impact on such a saturated fashion industry, EMET-met explores these emotions that can hinder personal growth. With all shoes and bags made by hand, many pieces appear unfinished or peel back to reveal the technical process of shoe-making, showing how feelings of uncertainty can slow the path to success.

Bridget Weiss

CCS Senior Bridget Weiss’s technical approach to design led her to her collection thesis exploring the domination of technology and machines over nature, and how these man-made entities attempt to mimic qualities of living organisms. With nods to aquatic life in contrast to automotive construction, her collection, titled Seal the River at it’s Mouth Take the Water Prisoner, utilizes wood, leather and 3D-printed aluminum fixtures to create smooth, shiny textures that intersect with fluid movement.

Emma Wilson

Gaia Carnis, CCS Senior Emma Wilson’s final collection, represents parallels between the exploitation of women and nature, subverting the way both are traditionally perceived as beautiful. Wilson takes the romanticization of women throughout history and traditional gardens with reference to the Enlightenment era and spins them to the grotesque. Working with leather, transparent lamb skin, hair, possum fur and even worms, Wilson encourages viewers to find beauty in the less appealing facets of womanhood and nature.

The College for Creative Studies is deeply saddened by the passing of Anne Beck, a cherished member of our community and former Vice President for Administration and Finance.

Anne passed away on April 25, 2025 at the age of 69 after a hard-fought battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband Bruce Beck; children Stephanie Beck, Bryan (Meghan) Beck, Billy (Roni) Balconi; grandchildren Nolan and Isla; and siblings Tom (Kris) Greene, Cathy (Dave) Pike, and Bob (Suzy) Greene.

For nearly three decades, until her retirement in 2022, Anne served as an integral part of CCS’s leadership. Her tenure was marked by significant contributions, which included the strategic redesign of the campus budget model, oversight of financing and construction of the Walter B. Ford building and Ford Campus parking garage, and the securing of the complex financing for the development of the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education. Her profound knowledge and strong leadership proved invaluable in guiding CCS through numerous institutional milestones.

“CCS is grateful for Anne’s wisdom and dedicated service,” reflected Don Tuski, CCS President. “She was a driving force in the College’s progress, providing stability during challenging periods and laying a robust foundation for our future. I am deeply saddened by her passing and extend my heartfelt condolences to her family. Anne was a truly valued member of the CCS community, and her loss will be profoundly felt.”

“Anne Beck’s remarkable financial and leadership skills were instrumental to CCS’s transformation into the world-class institution it is today. Whether developing facilities, managing budgets, or shouldering her many other responsibilities, she labored tirelessly in the best interests of our students, faculty and staff,” shared former CCS President Rick Rogers. “We had a tremendous working relationship for 24 years. I greatly valued her abundant talents and her sound advice. She left an indelible mark on the College. I’m deeply saddened by her loss.”

Beyond her dedication to CCS, Anne was actively engaged in the Detroit community. She served on the boards of Midtown Detroit, Inc., the Local Initiative Support Corporation Detroit Advisory Board, and the predecessor board for University Prep Art and Design Middle and High School. Notably, she also played a key role in facilitating Shinola’s decision to establish its headquarters within the Taubman Center.

More information about memorial arrangements →

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CCS is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Publishing Awards, honoring the impactful scholarly and creative contributions of our faculty and staff. This year’s distinguished recipients are:

  • Academic Award Winner – Karen McGarry, Associate Professor, Art Education McGarry, Karen. “Educating the Whiteness Out.” The Intersectionality of Critical Identities in Art Education, edited by S. Willis, R. Shin, and A. Richards, International Society for Education through Art (InSEA), 2024, pp. 12–22.
  • Creative Award Winner – William Langford, Adjunct Faculty, Liberal Arts Langford IV, William T. Detroit: Workers, Teachers, Lovers. Finishing Line Press, 2022.

The CCS Publishing Award acknowledges outstanding publications from our community. Faculty and staff interested in the 2026 award can look for details in September. The submission deadline for the 2025 review cycle is December 1, 2025.

The CCS Publishing Award celebrates the scholarly and creative publishing efforts of faculty and staff by selecting two faculty or staff members who, in the two calendar years prior to the nomination deadline, published exemplary scholarly or creative work as determined by the selection committee.

The College for Creative Studies is pleased to announce the establishment of three endowed scholarships made possible by a $2 million gift by Waltraud (Wally) E. Prechter, in honor of her late husband Heinz C. Prechter.

Detroit, MI – Waltraud (Wally) E. Prechter has committed $2 million to expand opportunities for students through the establishment of three new scholarships at the College for Creative Studies to financially support CCS students and honor and memorialize Heinz Prechter’s lasting legacy of innovation in the automobile industry, generosity and commitment to the community.

“Heinz had a unique passion for customizing cars and a love for automotive design. It is my honor to support CCS students with this gift, which exemplifies Heinz’s belief in education and access to opportunities,” said Mrs. Prechter. “I think he would be thrilled to know that recipients will pursue studies in art and design, especially in areas close to his heart. His motto always emphasized the fact that “We are here to make a difference in the world. I am grateful to see his legacy live on.”

A valued member of the CCS Board of Trustees, Mrs. Prechter is a dedicated advocate for mental health and the arts. Her vision and leadership have played a pivotal role in advancing CCS’s mission and ensuring its continued growth.

As a premier institution for art and design, CCS provides students with the essential resources needed to thrive in the ever-evolving creative industries. These resources include an immersive experiential learning program, world-class facilities, and top-tier studio spaces—each designed to enhance student creativity and career preparation.

While these opportunities are key to shaping successful careers, they are resource-intensive and impact the cost of attendance at an institution like CCS. Scholarships and awards, like these created by Mrs. Prechter, address the financial realities faced by students seeking these exceptional art and design educational experiences.

“These funds will be crucial in helping us attract and support talented students, ensuring they can obtain a degree regardless of financial circumstances and providing the stability they need to thrive throughout their time at college. We are so thankful to Wally for her dedication and leadership as a CCS board member and are grateful to be chosen to honor Heinz in this way,” said Donald Tuski, President, College for Creative Studies.

The endowed funds will establish recruitment and retention scholarships and an award for a promising automotive design student.

  • Heinz C. Prechter Endowed Recruitment Scholarship This endowed scholarship is being established to enhance CCS’s ability to recruit creative and talented students interested in studying art and design.
  • Heinz C. Prechter Endowed Retention Scholarship This endowed scholarship is being created to support current students facing financial challenges and help them stay on track to complete their degrees.
  • Heinz C. Prechter Endowed Design Award This endowed scholarship award recognizes a promising automotive design student who demonstrates exceptional design talent.

Heinz, a former CCS Trustee and a prominent figure in the Detroit community founded the American Sunroof Corporation in the 1960s. He had a profound impact on the automotive industry and grew his business into a diverse and expansive network of highly successful companies. Known for his visionary entrepreneurial spirit, Heinz will be remembered not only for his business achievements but also for his unwavering commitment to civic and charitable causes, inspiring all who knew him with his dedication to making a lasting difference.

Ninety-eight percent of CCS students receive financial assistance and these scholarships will continue the College’s mission to support talented incoming and current students.