Visit Detroit, Detroit Sports Commission launch online auction of DCLEATED art sculptures to benefit local charities

• Art installation led by City of Detroit and City Walls highlights talent of local artists and support Detroit-based causes ahead of 2024 NFL Draft

The DCLEATED art installation – made up of 20 oversized cleat sculptures painted by local Detroit artists – will be auctioned off online by Visit Detroit and the Detroit Sports Commission to benefit area charities.

The DCLEATED project, led by the City of Detroit and City Walls, was launched ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft to showcase the talent of local artists while raising awareness and funds for vital Detroit-based causes. During the month of April, the sculptures will be displayed in and around the heart of downtown Detroit for residents and visitors to enjoy during the NFL Draft.

Visit Detroit and the Detroit Sports Commission worked to procure the online auction services and will manage the auction of the DCLEATED cleats to help raise funds for the Detroit-based charities.

The online auction will go live at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 5 and close at 11:30 p.m. on Friday, May 3. Bidding starts at $2,500 per cleat, with the option to purchase a cleat for $10,000.

Bidders will also have the option to donate online, with all funds being split evenly amongst the 20 charities.

“This project has been a great way to highlight the outstanding talent of our city’s artists,” said Harriet Carter, Vice President of Customer and Partner Services at Visit Detroit. “Visit Detroit and the Detroit Sports Commission are proud to support this initiative and help raise funds for important causes in our area.”

Nineteen of the 20 cleats displayed throughout downtown will be available for purchase through the online auction. The cleat designed by artist Trae Isaac benefiting The Children’s Center will be on permanent display at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, through the sponsorship of the DCLEATED art installation by the Detroit Medical Center.

Local artists for the DCLEATED project were chosen through a competitive open call process and partnered with a local non-profit with a mission they are passionate about, integrating their story and message into their cleat design.

The NFL Draft presented by Bud Light is free to attend and does not require tickets. Fans should download the NFL One Pass app or register on the web at NFL.com/DraftAccess. For more information on the Draft, fans should visit nfl.com/draft/event-info.

ABOUT VISIT DETROIT

Visit Detroit is a private, not-for-profit organization with a mission to drive regional tourism and economic impact by connecting the world to our diverse communities, rich history and spirit of innovation. Visit Detroit is the catalyst for bringing business travel, connections, trade shows, events, and leisure travelers to our region. For more information, visit visitdetroit.com

ABOUT THE DETROIT SPORTS COMMISSION

The mission of the Detroit Sports Commission (DSC) is to market and sell metro Detroit as a premier destination for regional, national and international amateur sporting events. The DSC is a not-for-profit charitable organization, IRS 501 (C) (3), and a subsidiary of Visit Detroit. For more information, visit detroitsports.org.

Appendix: List of Locations, Charities, and Artists