TROY, Mich. – The Kresge Foundation has made available on its website electronic copies of commemorative monographs celebrating the life and times of two distinguished Kresge Eminent Artist Award recipients: visual artist Charles McGee and trumpet player Marcus Belgrave.

The foundation, through its Kresge Arts in Detroit initiative, annually supports the Kresge Eminent Artist Award, Kresge Artist Fellowships, and Kresge Arts Support grants. The Eminent Artist Award, administered by the College for Creative Studies, recognizes an exceptional Metropolitan Detroit artist in the visual, performing, or literary arts for his or her professional achievements and contributions to the cultural community, and encourages that individual's pursuit of a chosen art form.

McGee, who has blazed a trail for art and artists in Detroit and received international acclaim for exhibitions of his artwork worldwide, was selected as Kresge's first-ever Eminent Artist in 2008. His monograph, which features four-color reproductions of his murals, sculptures, collages, and mixed-media work, as well as biographical information, studio photos, and commentary from art experts, was published in 2010.

Download the Charles McGee monograph.

Belgrave, a master jazz trumpet player, musical educator, and mentor to scores of aspiring young musicians in Detroit and other cities, received the Kresge Eminent Artist Award in 2009. His monograph, published in 2009, traces the evolution of his remarkable musical career and contains personal reminiscences, historic photos taken onstage and behind the scenes, and remarks from other prominent musicians and former students.

Download the Marcus Belgrave monograph.