The City of Detroit is seeking an artist to craft a statue portraying the life of iconic heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis. According to a statement from the City's Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship (Detroit ACE), the call for submissions is unique because it requests a focus on Louis's endeavors beyond the boxing ring.
Joe Louis, remembered for his prowess as a boxer, also notably carved a path in the world of golf, where the racial barriers were equally formidable. Integrating golf at a professional level, Louis became the first African American to play in a PGA-sanctioned event. Having begun swinging the clubs in 1935, Louis helped to amplify the United Golf Association (UGA) and its nationwide tournaments. The statue, intended to be installed on a business plaza on the city’s west side, will not only commemorate Louis's sporting achievements; it will stand proudly as yet another cultural touchpoint along the Joe Louis Greenway – a 30-mile trail honoring the athletic and personal legacy of the Detroit legend.
"In Detroit, we celebrate the contributions Detroiters have made to the city and to the world, and Joe Louis is one of our greatest examples," Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan told the City of Detroit official website. The initiative, which is part of Mayor Duggan's Blight to Beauty campaign, seeks to uplift neighborhoods with public art that pays homage to the city's rich African American history.
The project is backed by a $110,000 commission; $60,000 from the Public Art Fund and $50,000 via a Michigan Economic Development Corporation grant earmarked for the Joe Louis Greenway. Scoring this gig means stepping into the ring with history, charged with the task of translating the heavyweight champion's less-known but equally significant feats into a poignant, physical form. Artists with the mettle to sculpt the spirit of Joe Louis can find application details and deadlines on the city's website.
Applicants keen to deliver a knockout proposal must hurry; the deadline to submit their interest is November 15. Following a community meeting to introduce the finalists, the victorious sculptor will have their name announced on November 25. Fast forward to August 12, 2025, and spectators can expect the grand unveiling on the anniversary of the first Joe Louis Open Tournament held in Detroit, played on a course that was, until Louis had his way, a setting known for its exclusionary practices rather than its inclusivity. "We hope our father's life story will inspire future generations to foster connection and hope, transcending racial, economic, gender, and religious boundaries," said Joe Louis' daughter, Joyce Barrow Henderson, encapsulating the boxer's enduring message, as detailed by the City of Detroit official website.
