The City of Detroit Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship (Detroit ACE) has issued an open call for a sculptor for a statue of the late Joe Louis honoring his life as an equestrian who worked to encourage more African Americans to embrace the world of horses.

The statue will be the second Outside the Ring piece that focuses on Louis’ life and accomplishments away from boxing, where he became a global icon and national hero.

The deadline for applications is December 30, 2025. The statue will be unveiled in 2026 or 2027 at a site to be determined.

Louis, widely considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, broke racial barriers and lifted American spirits when he defeated a Nazi boxer during World War II. But he also broke racial barriers outside of boxing, or outside the ring.

In October, the City unveiled the first Outside the Ring statue celebrating Louis’ success in golf. He began playing golf in 1935 and became a major supporter of the United Golf Association (UGA), the African American organization that conducted tournaments nationwide. As an amateur golfer, he was the first African American to play in a PGA-sanctioned event.

The second statue will honor Louis’s groundbreaking impact on equestrian sports, particularly for African Americans during a time of deep racial segregation. In 1939, he and his manager purchased Spring Hill Farm on land that is now part of River Bends Park in Shelby Township. Recognizing the barriers Black horsemen faced in mainstream competitions, Louis created the nation’s first All-Negro Horse Show, which gave African American riders and trainers a prestigious platform to showcase their skills. He built a track, installed bleachers and box seating and turned Spring Hill into a place of pride and possibility. He also had a collection of about 20 different horses.

Louis sold the farm Michigan in 1946, but he is credited with sparking a lasting interest in horse riding among many Black Americans, paving the way for greater inclusion in equestrian culture.

Louis’ daughter, Joyce Barrow Henderson, issued a statement on behalf of the family:

“The Louis Family is honored that the City of Detroit’s Office of Arts and Culture is creating a new statue recognizing Joe Louis’s historic contributions to equestrian sports,” she said. “While most know him as a boxing legend, fewer realize his deep passion for horses and his role in expanding access to equestrian activities in Detroit. This statue highlights an important and often overlooked part of his legacy, and we are grateful to the City of Detroit for helping to preserve and share this history with future generations.”

The new statue, the third commissioned by Detroit ACE, is part of the City’s efforts to increase the number of public art pieces that highlight Detroit's rich American and African American history. Detroit ACE unveiled the statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in June 2023 during the re-enactment of the Walk to Freedom that occurred two months before the March on Washington in August 1963.

In June 2024, Detroit ACE unveiled a statue of the late Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson on a plaza in Rouge Park that bears the Tuskegee Airman’s name. The work is part of Mayor Mike Duggan's Blight to Beauty initiative. As a part of that initiative, ACE also unveiled nine, City-sponsored residential and commercial alleys last summer into beautiful gathering spaces for Detroit residents. See more here - heyzine.com/flip-book/ArtsAlleys

The Louis statue commission will be paid by the Public Art Fund, established by the Detroit City Council five years ago to increase artistic beauty across the city.

OPEN CALL
Artists interested in applying for the statue commission should EMAIL a packet to: [email protected] with the following required information:

• Name, address and phone number;
• Community engagement experience;
• Examples of past statue work, whether it still exists or not, and where past work is /was located;
• Two references from previous sculpture clients;
• An Artist Statement explaining why he, she or they should be chosen for the commission. The Statement should list all needed materials, including which foundry will be used, a resume and answers to the following questions:
  • What interests you about the project?
  • What is your experience working on complex projects and meeting deadlines?
  • How would your project benefit the community?

For this commission, the City has a single required design element and that is that the sculpture must feature a horse. A selection committee comprising community members, artists, members of the Louis family and business owners will choose the artist.

PROJECT SCHEDULE

December 2, 2025          Open call

December 15, 2025        Selection panel seated

December 30, 2025        Applications due from artists

January 2026                  Community and family meeting with the finalists.

January 2026                  Artist announced

Fall /Winter 2026            Sculpture to foundry

Date to be determined    Sculpture unveiled

COMMISSION
The commission for the new Joe Louis statue is $175,000. The commission covers the artist stipend, all fees, any artist assistant costs, any artist studio costs, foundry costs, materials and supplies and installation. The artist will receive 50 percent of the commission in advance; 25 percent when the sculpture goes to the foundry; and 25 percent upon completion. All questions should be directed to Rochelle Riley at [email protected].

The Detroit ACE Office works to enhance and grow investment in the fine and performing arts, unique culture and powerful history with a special focus on entrepreneurship and support for Detroit’s creative workforce. Follow @detroitcityarts on Instagram and Facebook. See six years’ worth of ACE work here heyzine.com/flip-book/ACEAchievements