From their website, "The Scarab Club was founded in 1907 by a group of artists and art lovers who enjoyed meeting regularly to discuss art and socialize." I had read that before, but I did not get as far as the fine print in the timeline about 1962 being when women could play, nor did I notice the absence of women in the vintage photos. The woman I am looking for was an early president of the Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors. Somewhere in my head, I hear a voice. "That would be why she had her own club", it prods. Duh. Onward.
In 1928, the members built their own building, full of arts & crafts era...well...art and craftsmanship. I climb the stairs to enter the storied second floor room where artists like Diego Rivera have an eighty-three year tradition of autographing its wooden beams. The old wood glows with late autumn sun through the leaded glass windows. The furniture, some of it original, has been arranged based on old photos.
Above the fireplace is Paul Honore's 1928 mural, The Scarab Family Tree.
details...Next to the fireplace....I was so enthralled with the form of this that I paid no attention to what it is, I'm afraid...although she seems to have been scantily clad for 1928. Right, men only back in the day. Maybe she's a more modern addition.
One of a pair of simple tile-topped tables...the skyline of an earlier Detroit.
Almost all the interior doors have small leaded glass insets that signify the room's intent. I will regretfully refrain from another men's club comment here. You will have to think up your own bad joke.
Back on the first floor, past the main gallery, beyond a sweep of leaded glass french doors, a courtyard garden awaits...
Women artists are, of course, currently welcome at the Scarab Club. They were well-represented in the two photography exhibitions on view till November 21st. Entranced by the building and its ghosts, I had to shake myself back to the present to take in the new works.
The Scarab Club has a great website here. It hosts a wide range of events - drawing classes, music recitals, lectures, writing workshops, photography exhibitions, and so forth. The galleries are open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 12-5. On a quiet Saturday afternoon, I had that amazing second floor room to myself. It was easy to imagine that I had slipped through a window in time. It's also easy to imagine it full of life and light and crowds for upcoming events like Noel Night, Midtown's annual holiday celebration.
You know that new Detroit Shoppe* at Somerset? Come here instead. Sure, we suburban Detroiters mostly go to the Venetian instead of Venice.... the Bellagio instead of Lake Como.... it's cheaper, closer, and we speak the language. But if you had the choice, wouldn't you rather have the real thing? Eight Mile is not an international border.
*If you're at Somerset anyway, and you're not coming downtown, by all means support the Detroit Shoppe. The proceeds go to some very deserving non-profits and arts organizations.
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