Cranbrook Art Museum Celebrates Career of Metalsmith “Critical Mass” Chronicles Gary Griffin’s Career at Cranbrook Academy of Art

Bloomfield Hills, MI— Cranbrook Art Museum honors retiring Academy of Art Metalsmith-in-Residence Gary Griffin with the exhibition Critical Mass. Celebrating 22 year’s leading the Metalsmithing Department, Critical Mass also chronicles the careers of 121 students who studied under Griffin from 1985 through 2005, showcasing the influence of this master metalsmith on the young artists he led. Curated by 1992 Academy of Art metalsmithing graduate Ben Wearley, the exhibition opens June 3 and runs through Oct. 15.

“Cranbrook has been a marvelous environment,” says Griffin, who will relocate with his wife Pat to their ranch and studio in northern New Mexico. There, Griffin will focus his energies on new works. “We are grateful for all Cranbrook has afforded us, for the influence exerted upon our understanding of art. We raised our two children on its grounds and although we think highly of the Detroit area, the West and the open country exert a magnetic attraction.”

During his Cranbrook tenure, Griffin – considered one of the nation’s foremost metalsmiths – maintained an active practice focusing on utilitarian works for residences and institutions, resulting in regular commissioned work, from tables, furniture and lighting to gates, fences and railings. Interest in his work has resulted in pieces being placed throughout the country including the award-winning vehicular and pedestrian entry gates to the Academy of Art at Lone Pine Road and Academy Way – something Griffin credits as one of his greatest achievements at Cranbrook.

“I have the utmost respect for Gary Griffin,” says Gerhardt Knodel, director of Cranbrook Academy of Art. “His creative acumen and leadership in higher education are legendary. Thanks to his talent, the Academy is recognized as one of the top graduate art programs in the United States. I wish Gary well in his future pursuits, and thank him for his years of service to the Academy.”

Griffin received his Masters of Fine Arts degree from Tyler School of Art at Temple University in 1974. He has received numerous awards and fellowships including two National Endowment of Arts awards in 1976 and 1977. In 2005, he was elected to the American Craft Council College of Fellows for his contributions and achievements in the field of Metalsmithing.

In addition to Critical Mass, Griffin’s years of service to Cranbrook are being honored with the establishment of the Gary S. and Patricia J. Griffin Scholarship Fund, which will provide scholarship aid to one metalsmithing student each year.