Artist Rick Lowe will discuss his artistic practice and his last two years working with students and researchers at U-M in preparation for an upcoming exhibition at UMMA, Black Wall Street Journey, opening in August 2026. 

Rick Lowe is an American artist who pairs paintings, drawings, and installations with collaborative, community-based projects developed in the tradition of Joseph Beuys’s concept of “social sculpture.” 

Working closely with individuals and communities, he has identified many ways to harness creativity to address concerns around equity and justice. Beginning with his co-founding of Project Row Houses (1993–2008) in Houston’s Third Ward and continuing through other initiatives across the United States and internationally, Lowe aims to catalyze sustainable change to promote understanding, equity, and justice. For the last two years, Lowe has been working as part of the U-M Arts Initiative’s Creators on Campus program as artist in residence with the Institute for Social Research (ISR). 

Free and open to the public, no registration required.