Tyree Guyton
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Tyree Guyton was born on August 24, 1955 in Detroit, Michigan.[1] He is currently married to Jenenne Whitfield.[2] Prior to becoming an artist, Mr. Guyton worked as a firefighter, an autoworker and served in the army. Tyree Guyton studied art at Marygrove College, Wayne State University, and the Center for Creative Studies-now College for Creative Studies. Guyton counts his grandfather, Sam Mackey, and Detroit artist, Charles McGee, as his biggest influences as an artist and humanitarian.
Since creating the Heidelberg Project with his grandfather in 1986, Guyton has received international recognition as an artist, educator and community leader. Although he is an "honorary director" for the Heidelberg Project board of directors, in recent years Tyree Guyton has concentrated his efforts on art exhibitions, lecturing and teaching. In 2007, Mr. Guyton accepted a position teaching an "honors" program at the Wayne State University.
Tyree Guyton's work has been installed and displayed across the globe, including a feature in 1999 by the United States Department of State in the Art in Embassies Program, Exhibition in American Embassy in Quito, Ecuador.[3] Permanent installations can be found in Sydney, Australia,[4], the Detroit Institute of Arts and Mount Vernon, NY.
Tyree Guyton has been given the following awards for his contributions as an artist and humanitarian: Wayne County International Artist Award (2003), Award of Recognition, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick (2002), Best Known Artist in Metro Detroit, Detroit Free Press (2001), "Michigan Artist of the Year," Governor John Engler, State of Michigan (1992), Humanity in the Arts Award, Wayne State University (1992), "Michiganian of the Year Award," State of Michigan (1991), David A. Harmond Memorial Scholarship (1990), "Testimonial Resolution Award," Wayne County, Lansing, Michigan (1990), "Spirit of Detroit Award," Detroit City Council, Detroit, Michigan (1989).[5]
In 1999, Tyree Guyton was the subject of an HBO Films documentary, "Come Unto Me: The Faces of Tyree Guyton".[6] This film won numerous honors,[7] including an Emmy Award in 2000 and honorable mention at the Sundance Film Festival for director Nicole Cattell.[8].
In the year 2005, Guyton and his Heidelberg Project were featured on the Vision TV documentary "Urban Shrines", produced by Toronto-based Markham Street Films. 2007 found Guyton included in the French documentary, "Detroit: The Cycles of the Mental Machine", featuring Techno artists Mike Banks and Carl Craig, by director Jacqueline Caux. He still currently lives within Detroit city limits.
