Conceptions Connect Projects
Conceptions Connect, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, was formed in 2019 to harness the synergy of collaboratively creating hands-on artwork projects with students and the community utilizing the Schinkel's innovative artist process and for creating artwork for public spaces. Achieving one’s greatest potential and promoting the commensurate mindset through art engagement and interaction underlies this work.
Projects involve the design and creation of layered, hands-on metalworks using an innovative artistic process that makes 2D work appear strikingly three-dimensional. These artworks, known as Metalagram, are displayed in public spaces and educational institutions, to uplift viewers, inspire resilience, and bring joy through awakening and engaging multi-sensory connections, collaboration and community.
Nature's Symphony
Faces of Humanity
Cultivation in the Garden transports and evokes feelings in viewers of the sublime. This work is inspired by the novella, “Night in the Garden of Love”, by Dr. Yusef Abdul Lateef, a Detroit native, and created during the “Angles of Incidence” summer class taught by the Schinkel's during their Cranbrook summer residency. The students learned how to use sculptural layered hands-on techniques, using the Schinkel’s original artist process, to create their physical and digital designs onto the aluminum. The characters and features in the collaborative work were created and designed by Detroit Public High School students during Cranbrook Horizons Upward Bound program and inspired by Dr. Lateef's novella.
See Press Release with this link: Cultivation in the Garden Press Release
Integrating Art into Education
Putting the "A" in STEAM
Conceptions Connect is committed to enriching educational environments by integrating the 'A' for art transforming STEM into STEAM curricula. Projects vary from one day collaborations to entire school semesters. "Your Brain on Art" by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross demonstrate how brains and bodies are transformed from participation in the arts. Building stronger communities, enhancing core competencies to boost academic performance, agency and problem-solving capabilities are achievable from the work of Conceptions Connect.
The technical and creative lens used is developed in participants and viewers through the Schinkel's innovative artist process. A Detroit Public High School student who plans on majoring in Civil Engineering explained that her participation in the artwork was a perfect way to learn to apply both her creative and technical strengths.
Connect with us to learn how to integrate technical and creative art into your educational programing.
Nature's Symphony
Universal Alliance, was created at the Cranbrook Institute of Science for the Kids Kicking Cancer field day at the Museum. Design and creation of the 11 x 5' permanent installation was donated by Linda and Theodore Schinkel. "Universal Alliance" was inspired by the three most beloved creature exhibits at the Cranbrook Institute of Science and set in a field of rare minerals and gems photographed by the artists' from the Museums' collections. "Black Beauty", "Steggie" and "Hezzy" - the tyrannous rex skeleton, the stegosaurus and the woolly mastodon - are featured from left to right.
Nature's Symphony
Faces of Humanity
Sands of Time
Beyond Boundaries
The creatures and shapes along the perimeter served as a catalyst for empowering Kids Kicking Cancer participants during the field day at the Museum and beyond. A key goal of the project was for participants to return to the monumental artwork, reconnect with their experience, and take pride in their accomplishments. Their participation remains an integral part of the artwork, which continues to engage and inspire the entire viewer community at the Cranbrook Institute of Science.
Nature's Symphony
Faces of Humanity
Circadian Sons is a dual-sided, hanging in mid-air hands-on artwork consisting of 115 pieces, known as a Metalagram Mobile—a technique that makes suspended 2D metal appear strikingly three-dimensional. Each panel is mounted on an independent bearing, allowing it to rotate 360 degrees, creating a continuously shifting perspective as viewers move through the three-story central stairwell. This dynamic interactive artwork was collaboratively created with all of the art students at Detroit Country Day Middle School over the course of one semester.
Student participants collaborated hands-on with artists Linda and Theodore Schinkel, who guided them through the creative process. Using a template inspired by the 24-hour circadian cycle, students brought their interpretations to life while working in the Robotics Room at Detroit Country Day School. The fusion of art and science is woven throughout every stage of the project—from creation to installation and viewing—highlighting their interconnectedness.
The artists taught and collaboratively created at Detroit Central Public High School with Beyond Basics, a metro Detroit literacy non profit organization. Renaissance City is the result of this work and is installed in Mayor Mike Duggan's office lobby.
The concept behind the collaborative work is how Detroit inspires the students and how they are the future of the city of Detroit. The students accomplished the Beyond Basics' goals of engagement and realizing agency through their participation in the art enrichment component of Beyond Basics' curriculum.
Detroit Public School students learned how they could collaborate on creating artwork using the artists' innovative process. The students used their own designs and together with all participants created a unified artwork.
Watch video the city of Detroit made about the artwork Renaissance City, installed in Mayor Mike Duggan's office.
See this link for a public space collaborative installation "Detroit"s Music...Jazz".

Click link to see more images and read about installation.
Bringing Metalagram to the Community
Conceptions Connect demonstrates the power of art to unlock human potential and build community resilience. Projects are designed to enhance the appearance of public spaces and can also be created entirely by the artists to be installed in community spaces or with collaboration. One such collaborative project for a public space was installed in Harmonie Paradise Valley Park, Detroit 2016 - 2017. Engagement, enrichment and energizing viewers of all ages is the goal.
The artist duo formed Conceptions Connect, a 501(c)3 non profit organization, in 2020 with a mission to empower, energize and enlighten through artwork created with educational institutions, for public spaces and for community. Projects can be created through Conceptions Connect or through Schinkel Fine Art as deemed most suitable.
Please inquire about a Project aligning goals, mission and vision. See link for Conceptions Connect Summary: Conceptions Connect Summary
Collaborate with Conceptions Connect
Our mission is to create meaningful partnerships that advance community engagement, empowerment and enlightenment. A partnership fundraiser with Beyond Basics resulted in art enrichment for Beyond Basics students at Detroit Central High School. The collaborative artwork created has been installed in Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan office lobby since 2015.
Contact us to learn how art engagement can bring energy and resilience to your community.