Detroit continues to shine as a city shaped by bold creativity, and the artists behind the City Walls Detroit program are at the heart of that energy. On December 5, 2025, SpaceLab Detroit and the City of Detroit General Services Department hosted the annual Detroit City Walls Artists’ Showcase at Design Studio 6. The evening brought together muralists, art supporters, collectors, and community members for a festive celebration of Detroit’s visual storytellers.
Now that the event has wrapped, we’re extending the celebration with this online showcase. For one week after the event, visitors can explore the artwork, connect with each artist, and reach out directly to purchase available pieces.
About the Showcase
The in-person event highlighted artists who have contributed murals across Detroit’s neighborhoods through the City Walls and Art Alleys program. Each artist presented original artwork, offering guests an opportunity to see the studio pieces of the artists who create the City’s public art.
This webpage continues that mission by giving buyers and supporters ongoing access to the work featured at the showcase.
The City Walls program continues to elevate local muralists, strengthen neighborhood identity, and bring beauty and storytelling to the built environment. By purchasing artwork or commissioning these artists, you help sustain the individuals whose work makes Detroit such a dynamic and inspiring place.
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2025 Showcase in person, and thank you for continuing to support Detroit artists here online.
Detroit’s walls tell stories—vibrant, powerful, and deeply rooted in the spirit of our city. On Friday, December 5, 2025, we’re excited to bring those stories indoors for an evening dedicated to the incredible artists who shape Detroit’s visual landscape.
SpaceLab Detroit, in collaboration with the City of Detroit General Services Department, invites you to the 2025 Detroit City Walls Artists’ Showcase—a festive gathering that highlights the talent and vision behind some of Detroit’s most beloved murals.
What to Expect
This exclusive showcase brings together artists who have completed murals through the City Walls Detroit program, offering a unique opportunity to experience their work up close. Attendees will enjoy:
Original artwork on exhibit
Pieces available for purchase—perfect for holiday gifting
A chance to meet the artists who bring Detroit’s neighborhoods to life
A warm and welcoming atmosphere filled with creativity and community spirit
Complimentary refreshments throughout the evening
Whether you’re an art lover, a collector, a supporter of Detroit talent, or simply seeking a meaningful way to celebrate the season, this event promises inspiration at every turn.
Event Details
Date: Friday, December 5, 2025 Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Location:Design Studio 6 – 8626 W McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48221 (map)
Admission is free, but we encourage guests to RSVP to help us plan a wonderful experience for everyone.
City Walls Detroit is more than a mural program—it’s a bridge between art, community, and the built environment. Each participating artist has contributed to transforming Detroit’s public spaces, infusing creativity into neighborhoods and inspiring residents and visitors alike. The Showcase is our way of honoring their dedication and spotlighting their continued work.
We hope you’ll join us for this celebration of art, community, and Detroit’s rich creative culture.
SpaceLab Detroit is proud to present two dynamic, concurrent art exhibits that offer a powerful journey through Black identity, memory, imagination, and self-worth. Our spaces on the 7th and 9th floors have been transformed by the visionary works of Detroit artists Darin Darby and Onzie Norman. The public is invited to view the exhibitions Wednesdays through Fridays from 12 noon to 5:30 pm or by appointment and experience this cultural moment firsthand.
The exhibit Afrofuturism is a collaborative series created by Darby and Norman under their artist collective name, UXI (Urban eXpressions Inc). Drawing from Afrofuturist themes, this exhibit invites us to imagine what comes next — futures shaped by Black thought, liberation, design, and technology. The work is bold, layered, and reflective. Through mixed media compositions, symbolism, and narrative forms, UXI transports us into an alternate dimension rooted in both ancestry and speculative vision.
In parallel, Darin Darby’s solo exhibit Resilience delivers an emotionally compelling collection that honors personal strength, healing, and affirmation. The pieces in Resilience challenge us to confront reclaim identity and celebrate the beauty of persistence. Through vibrant textures, layered materials, and Darby’s Laypuzzim® technique, his work offers space for reflection and empowerment. It is a celebration of survival and a tribute to the inner strength that carries individuals and communities forward.
The pieces in Resilience challenge us to confront reclaim identity and celebrate the beauty of persistence. Through vibrant textures, layered materials, and Darby’s Laypuzzim® technique, his work offers space for reflection and empowerment. It is a celebration of survival and a tribute to the inner strength that carries individuals and communities forward.
Together, Afrofuturism and Resilience create a dialogue — one that speaks across time and through the soul. These exhibits uplift not only the visual power of Black artistry but the narratives, ideas, and futures it dares to shape. As we commemorate Juneteenth and honor freedom, these works remind us that liberation is ongoing, and creativity is one of our most powerful tools.
All artwork in the exhibit is available for sale. Viewers are encouraged to return throughout the exhibit’s run and schedule private viewings. Whether you’re an art lover, collector, or cultural explorer, this exhibit offers something to stir your imagination and your spirit.
Onzie D. Norman is a self-taught mixed media painter and wood sculptor from Detroit, Michigan. Onzie started in the field of carpentry in high school and later graduated from the Detroit Carpenters Apprenticeship School in 2003. This craft would play an important role in his artistic development. After a vision in 2013 Onzie begin to draw, which led to his experimenting with painting on wood. Onzie constructs his own canvas out of wood and uses paper, wood, spray paint, acrylic and resin to create one-of-a-kind artworks.
Onzie has worked diligently towards building his art career. His work has been exhibited at Art Prize, the Bombay Artesian Series, National Afro-American Museum in Wilberforce, Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, Agora Essence Festival, Charles H. Wright Museum, Actors Theater in Louisville, Gallery in New York, Xavier University and The Dayton Art Institute.
Onzie’s artwork is in many private collections. Recently his work has been acquired by Don Tuski President of the College for Creative Studies, Bedrock Detroit, actor Charles Michael Davis, NFL linebacker Deandre Levy, Helene Gayle president of Spelman College, and American journalist Stephen Henderson. In 2023 he was selected as the Gucci Changemaker, having his mural, “Botanical City” installed on the side of the Siren Hotel in Detroit.
Darin Darby: Hailing from the vibrant city of Detroit, Michigan, Darin Darby is a self-taught artist who has carved a unique path in the world of art. His creative journey began with sketching comic book characters using pencils, but as he entered his twenties, he fearlessly delved into a variety of mediums such as colored pencils, charcoal, pastels, and acrylic paint.
In a groundbreaking moment in 2014, Darin introduced his innovative art technique, Laypuzzim® (layered puzzled image), which involves meticulously cutting and layering textured materials like card stock paper, mat board, leather, or wood to create intricate artworks. Each piece is a masterpiece of hand-cut colors and negative space, showcasing Darin’s unparalleled talent.
Darin’s artwork has graced the walls of esteemed galleries across Metro Detroit, Ohio, Chicago, Kentucky, and Virginia, and his pieces have found a home in prestigious collections at Henry Ford Hospital in Jackson, MI, the Dayton Art Institute, and the Detroit Historical Museum.
Drawing inspiration from his childhood memories, biblical themes, thought-provoking messages, and often overlooked historical black figures, Darin injects profound meaning into his creations, sparking engaging conversations and pushing boundaries with his art. His passion for storytelling through art is unwavering, driving him to constantly explore new materials and techniques.
As Darin looks ahead with excitement to the future, his dedication to evolving as an artist and continuously pushing the boundaries of his Laypuzzim® technique promises an exciting journey ahead in the realm of artistry.
