The d.Tree exhibition, a testament to the power of collaboration, zero waste and storytelling, arises from a partnership between Detroit Cultural Center neighbors: the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and the College for Creative Studies. This award-winning initiative transforms dying museum campus trees into narratives on “What Detroit Trees have Seen,” bridging the city’s past and present. Twelve makers extended the life of these Detroit trees by conveying stories of resilience and adaptation with various African material cultural threads. By bringing climate creatives together, we can admire the past and shape a regenerative future. Beyond storytelling, d.Tree Studio symbolizes climate actions, underscoring when two cultural institutions came together to support The City of Detroit’s Sustainability Action Agenda. Partners like American Forests, with its Tree Equity Score tool, bolsters the exhibition’s focus on Detroit’s 75,000 tree initiative. Don’t miss the exhibition at the Wright Museum from July 20 to December 10, 2023. Learn more: www.thewright.org/d-tree-studio

A teacher helps a student at the College for Creative Studies select Zelkova wood to create a narrative art piece as part of the d.Tree Studio curriculum.

A teacher helps a student at the College for Creative Studies select Zelkova wood to create a narrative art piece as part of the d.Tree Studio curriculum.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Wright Museum

College for Creative Studies woodshop students learned about African American culture and history, trees in Detroit and climate justice while making wood into art.

College for Creative Studies woodshop students learned about African American culture and history, trees in Detroit and climate justice while making wood into art.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Wright Museum

College for Creative Studies woodshop students honed their woodworking skills and artistic thought process while making projects from harvested wood.

College for Creative Studies woodshop students honed their woodworking skills and artistic thought process while making projects from harvested wood.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Wright Museum

Leslie Tom, one of the leaders of the d.Tree Studio course at the College for Creative Studies, created a piece inspired by African American drumming and dance.

Leslie Tom, one of the leaders of the d.Tree Studio course at the College for Creative Studies, created a piece inspired by African American drumming and dance.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Wright Museum

The exhibit featured a display on American Forests’ Tree Equity work alongside a monitor playing video interviews with the students and makers.

The exhibit featured a display on American Forests’ Tree Equity work alongside a monitor playing video interviews with the students and makers.
Photo Credit: Ian Leahy / American Forests