Michigan Legacy Art Park will present Detroit artist Charles McGee with the 2019 Legacy Award in recognition of a lifetime of achievements and influences as an artist, teacher, advocate and global citizen. The Legacy Gala features a video tribute to McGee, silent auction, cocktail hour, sparkling wine reception, locally-sourced dinner, and live-music. Generously Presented by Mo & Linda White.

The Legacy Gala is the signature fundraiser for the nonprofit Michigan Legacy Art Park. The annual event will take place on Friday August 16th, 2019 at Crystal Mountain, an award-winning four-season ski and golf resort.

Lyndsay McGee, daughter of the artist, will be in attendance to accept the award on behalf of her 94 year-old father. Former Director of the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum at Saginaw Valley State University and MLAP Board Member, Marilyn Wheaton, will pay tribute to her longtime friend. Art Park Board Member Mary Ann Cheney is the event’s Chair.

The Legacy Gala event will feature a video tribute to McGee, silent auction, cocktail hour, Mawby sparkling wine reception, locally-sourced dinner, and live-music. Performer Ben Whiting will serve as the evening's Host and Emcee.

Seasonal Menu by Chef Bryant includes Crystal Chop Salad – romaine, shaved cucumber, black eye peas, dried cherries, egg, peppers, buttermilk ranch or oil and vinaigrette dressing. Choice of Entrees: Seared Otto’s Chicken - sautéed local mushrooms, sweet potato gratin, roasted asparagus, rosemary veloute. Char-Grilled Salmon – creamy kale & parmesan risotto, roasted asparagus, smoked tomato chutney, balsamic. Sweet Potato Cranberry Cake - garlic sautéed spinach, roasted asparagus, basmati pilaf, saffron cream. Brown Butter Cake Dessert – warm cinnamon apples with greek yogurt gelato.

Make it a weekend getaway! For lodging at Crystal Mountain please call 855-520-2974 with Group Number #4671LC for Special Legacy Gala Rate.

“I am so grateful I was able to meet someone like Art Park founder David Barr on my journey of learning. His energy really inspired me and has been a guiding light in my creative experiences. The park is a didactic building block for the community,” said McGee upon learning he had been selected to receive the award.

With a distinguished career spanning eight decades, McGee is recognized internationally as a cultural icon of Detroit. His work is cherished in many contemporary art collections around the world, as well as the permanent collections of the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit and the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City.

He has been a significant influence for generations of young artists through teaching and mentoring, as well as founding multiple arts organizations, such as the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit (CAID) and his own Gallery 7 in 1968. At age 92, McGee oversaw installation of his largest public work, an 11-story mural titled Unity in downtown Detroit’s Capitol Park.

“We are truly honored by the opportunity to salute Charles with this award. We share his belief in the power of art to connect people to each other, and the environment around them. His energetic projects and ideas have created a lasting impact on Michigan’s culture, which is exactly what the Legacy Award is designed to recognize,” said Art Park Executive Director Joseph Beyer.

McGee has lived a life marked by overcoming adversity, personal resolve, positivity, and belief in the power of community. He served in the Marine Corps after World War II, continued his creative work in the midst of 1960’s riots, watched as Detroit struggled and was then rejuvenated, and continues to be a strong advocate and inspiration for young artists.

In 1994, the exhibit “Charles McGee Seeing Seventy” traveled to the Dennos Museum in Traverse City; his 2002 work Time Structure hangs permanently in the museum’s indoor sculpture court today.

Event sponsorships are still available at michlegacyartpark.org/legacy-gala and include tickets to the event.

Michigan Legacy Art Park is a nonprofit arts organization founded by internationally acclaimed artist David Barr in 1995 to enrich lives through experiences that connect art, nature, and Michigan’s history. Contemporary Art comes to life in the park’s permanent collection of almost 50 works, located in the midst of a 30-acre forest preserve. The Art Park hosts thousands of visitors and students each year, features miles of trails, world-class concerts outdoors, art and nature workshops, and extensive education programs. It is open every day of the year.

Past recipients of the Legacy Award include Marsha Smith (2018), Doug and Anne Stanton (2017), Gene Jenneman and the Dennos Museum Center (2016), founding MLAP Board Members (2015), George Zimmermann and Pure Michigan (2014), Founders David Barr and Beth Dwaihy-Barr (2013),Bob and Jane Holdeman (2012), Governor William and Helen Milliken (2011), George and Althea Petritz (2010), and the Tuskegee Airmen of WWII (2009).