For more than five decades the Scarab Club has hosted the annual un-themed juried photography exhibition. This much anticipated group show celebrates all mediums of contemporary photography and this year it was juried by artist and educator, Asia Hamilton. Please join us on Saturday, July 26th from 1-2:30pm for the Gallery Talk about the exhibition!

Gallery Talk: Saturday, July 26 | 1-2:30pm

On view: June 26-July 26, 2025

Exhibiting Artists
Adam Campau, Amanda J. Cain, Amara Murphy, Ashara Ekundao, Ava Voelker, Brett J Lawrence, Camille Lecoutre, Caria Taylor, Caroline Bell, Carolyn Gallo, Charles A Kennedy Jr., Charles Hill, Chase Chamber, Christopher Schneider, CJ Benninger, Clay Carrington, Coashin Chamber, Cory Marie Podielski, DaeJona Gordon, Danielle deo Owensby, David Dominic, Jr., Derek Risse, Dillon Balmas, Donald Toth, Emerald Quartz, Emma Smith, Garrett Forrest, Greg Justis, Greg Siemasz, Guntis Lauzums, Holly Hazen, Ian DuVernay, Ira Goldberg, Jackie Brooks, Jacob Woods, Jaclyn Jeannine Iczkowicz, Janice Milhem, J.Gordon Rodwan, James Hodson, Jamie Pittinos, Jamie Baxter, Jenna Parks, Jeff Babcock, Jeff Belt, Jeff Schofield, Jeffrey Fischer, Jerry Basierbe, Jordan Eckman, Jurgita (Gita), Kaitlyn Rode, Kiera Maloney, Kiah Riad, Kim Patterson, Kristina Sikora, Liz Barick Fall, Loralei R. Byatt, Louis Eisenberg, Luis Lomeli Oseguera, Mark McClelland, Mike Kroll, Morgan McDaniel, Naheem Browne, Paul Wywrot, Patrick Reynolds, Raymar, Robbie Botts, Robert Beras, Robert Rickman, Ryan Kellman, Sailor Lens, Steve Pepple, Stuart Ratner, Taryn A Smith

Juror Bio

Asia Hamilton, Founder and Director of Norwest Gallery of Art, is a seasoned artist, photographer, curator, and community leader with over a decade of experience in the arts and culture sector. Her expertise spans portraits and environmental photography, showcased in projects for renowned entities such as Ford Motor Co, Instyle Magazine, Arab American Museum, and Plante Moran, both nationally and globally.

 As a champion for women and non-binary artists, and artists of color, Hamilton's advocacy extends through her community work. Her roots in the Crary/St Mary’s neighborhood fuel her commitment to addressing the cultural neglect faced by the northwest side amidst Detroit's revitalization efforts. Her personal experiences as a woman artist of color navigating industry barriers inform her initiatives, including founding Norwest Gallery of Art in 2018, establishing Womxnhouse Detroit at her childhood residence, and active advocacy within Detroit’s Arts & Entertainment Commission.

In her role as the designated Entertainment Commissioner for District 1, appointed by the Detroit City Council, Hamilton's responsibilities include strengthening creative hubs and fostering community growth through arts and entertainment initiatives. She facilitates partnerships between District 1 businesses and crucial civic resources to support their entrepreneurial ventures. Moreover, Hamilton orchestrates events to showcase the dynamic arts and entertainment scene within District 1, aligning with her vision of making the northwest side a vibrant hub for artistic expression and collaboration.

Located in the historic Detroit neighborhood of Rosedale Park, Norwest Gallery of Art is dedicated to offering a diverse array of contemporary art and culture to culturally underserved communities in Detroit. As a prominent arts and culture hub in the city, Norwest Gallery of Art is resolute in its mission to establish a platform for creative expression among black and brown artists, enabling the residents to engage with contemporary arts and culture from around the world. Serving as a cultural nexus, Norwest Gallery of Art facilitates meaningful connections between the contemporary art sphere and the vibrant local creative community. Through exhibitions, art classes, artist dialogues, cultural lectures, BIPOC artists residencies, independent film screenings, and community partnerships, we actively contribute to our community’s artistic landscape. Our gallery stands as a testament to our commitment to the neighborhood, infusing it with distinctive cultural experiences that bridge the gap between the flourishing global contemporary art world and the heart of Detroit.

www.scarabclub.org

“For The Billionth Time Today” is a multidisciplinary generational horror film combining several forms of media from live action to experimental animation and archival footage. This dreamlike coming of age epic uses deeply surreal imagery and atmospheres in order to bring a unique sense of closure to one’s adolescence. The project also touches heavily on grief, derealization and the critical importance for emotional vulnerability in young men. Please join us on Saturday, June 28th from 2-5pm for a film screening and conversation at the Detroit Public Library, Main Branch!

Film Screening: Saturday, July 28th | 2-5pm

Statement from the Director:

The earliest ideas of “For The Billionth Time Today” originated from a journal series I produced two summers ago- primarily focusing on spontaneity and channeling my emotions about my own upcoming college graduation, entrance to adulthood and long term self deprecation. I became inspired to turn the words and images from my pages into a surrealist narrative piece, embracing the iterative process that helped the journals come to life in the beginning. Although so much of this film was heavily storyboarded, planned and scripted, another half was improvisational- embracing the authenticity of the actors’ real emotions and reactions, and utilizing it as a base for the dialogue. Through the conclusion of this piece, I have also been able to properly mourn all eras of my former self and heal that inner child that had to grow beyond his own torment.

Director Bio:

Jack Chisik is an experimental independent filmmaker/animator residing in Detroit, MI recently graduated from the College For Creative Studies. Chisik finds inspiration from the intersection of normal and bizarre. He appreciates narratives that challenge viewers to analyze the abstract with "out of bounds" visuals that shock the senses while also leaving an impactful deep resonance, often tapping into 21st century nostalgia. Chisik is intricately involved in all processes of filmmaking from conception, direction, visual and practical effects, and original scoring, leaving his unique touch on every project he puts forth.

Curated in partnership with NOVA24 founders Mara Magyarosi-Laytner and Raymar, and The Congregation curator Dr. Chanel Beebe, FemmeVoyant is a month-long celebration of contemporary photography and film works by Detroit’s newest generation of young Black femme creatives.

Starting on Monday, June 8th, our featured exhibition will take place on the first floor and outside walls of The Congregation, where attendees will get the chance to view gorgeous portfolios, photomurals, and film stills from each of our eight presenting artists. There will be opportunities to watch the full films created by our artists at each event, beginning with the Opening Ceremony on Friday, June 12th from 6–8 PM. In addition, there will also be an Artist Talk on Saturday, July 13th from 4–5:30 PM. Attendees will be able to hear the philosophies behind the work of our photographers and filmmakers, as well the struggles and victories they faced in bringing their ideas to life. Finally, we close out the event with a film screening and closing reception on Sunday, July 28th from 2-5 PM.

FemmeVoyant, a follow up to last year’s Detroit Month of Design exhibition The Prelude, was created with the goal of uplifting and highlighting the voices of Black photographers and filmmakers, particularly the voices of young women. In creating this exhibition, we want to take part in the community-wide effort of showcasing talented creatives that have historically been underrepresented amongst all sectors of the art world.

Artist Information

Alice Jackson-Clark | Website Instagram
Tori Janae | Website Instagram
Kayla Stotts | Website Instagram
Melli Pittiglio | Website Instagram
Emerald Quartz | Website Instagram
Danielle Castle
Niajya Curtis | Instagram
Trinity Sutherland | Instagram

Shop the artists @ The Congregation

Christopher Jarvis is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, and musician based in Detroit. In July, he’ll have his first ever exhibition of his breathtaking photographs on display at the Ferndale Library, each capturing dreamlike, surrealistic images of rural landscapes, desolate suburbs and cityscapes, each echoing with the hints of a human presence or the subtle beauty of everyday life.

Jarvis’ film work has been screened at several regional festivals as well as internationally (UK, Portugal, and Brazil). Jarvis’ exhibition at the library is also part of the summer-long NOVA24 Photo+Film Festival. Join us on Sunday, July 14, for this special reception, featuring an Artist Talk (moderated Q&A) at 3pm, + live music and refreshments!

Opening Reception: Sunday, July 14 — 2:00 pm

Artist Talk at 3:00 pm

Christopher Jarvis Website

Curated in partnership with NOVA24 founders Mara Magyarosi-Laytner and Raymar, and The Congregation curator Dr. Chanel Beebe, FemmeVoyant is a month-long celebration of contemporary photography and film works by Detroit’s newest generation of young Black femme creatives.

Starting on Monday, June 8th, our featured exhibition will take place on the first floor and outside walls of The Congregation, where attendees will get the chance to view gorgeous portfolios, photomurals, and film stills from each of our eight presenting artists. There will be opportunities to watch the full films created by our artists at each event, beginning with the Opening Ceremony on Friday, June 12th from 6–8 PM. In addition, there will also be an Artist Talk on Saturday, July 13th from 4–5:30 PM. Attendees will be able to hear the philosophies behind the work of our photographers and filmmakers, as well the struggles and victories they faced in bringing their ideas to life. Finally, we close out the event with a film screening and closing reception on Sunday, July 28th from 2-5 PM.

FemmeVoyant, a follow up to last year’s Detroit Month of Design exhibition The Prelude, was created with the goal of uplifting and highlighting the voices of Black photographers and filmmakers, particularly the voices of young women. In creating this exhibition, we want to take part in the community-wide effort of showcasing talented creatives that have historically been underrepresented amongst all sectors of the art world.

Artist Information

Alice Jackson-Clark | Website Instagram
Tori Janae | Website Instagram
Kayla Stotts | Website Instagram
Melli Pittiglio | Website Instagram
Emerald Quartz | Website Instagram
Danielle Castle
Niajya Curtis | Instagram
Trinity Sutherland | Instagram

Shop the artists @ The Congregation