Currently, I have 4 of my renderings representing the League of Retired Automotive Designers at the Royal Oak Historical Society Museum.
The origins of the League began when Ron Van Gelderen attended the 2004 Eyes on Design at the Ford House in Gross Pointe Shores. While there he visited the Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild 1st Reunion exhibit tent near Edsel Ford’s Studio on the Estate grounds. When speaking with Ron, Chuck Jordan suggested the creation of a group of retired automotive designers that would pick marque themes to undertake design studies and display them at automotive venues across the U.S. The initial founding designers included: Virgil Exner Jr., Chuck Jordan, Wayne Kady, John Mellberg, Elia Russinoff and Ron Van Gelderen. They sent out an announcement about the League in 2006 and soon it had become a great group of enthused retired automotive designers from across the automotive design world.*
I began contributing to the League in 2017 when the featured marque was the Chevrolet Corvair. I’ve contributed designs every year thereafter.
All of my digital renderings over the years were printed by Titan Professional Photo Lab in Troy. Hal and his brother Rod consistently produce high quality work. I wouldn’t consider using any other company.
The 2025 show consists of 50 original artwork by 14 artists. There isn’t a featured brand this year, so designers were encouraged to bring League favorites as well as career renderings. Although, anything new was also welcome.
The show started with Designer night on August 1st and runs until August 19th. The museum is open Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 – 4:00pm.
You can find more information at: royaloakhistoricalsociety.com
You can see the entire exhibit on: deansgarage.com
*John M. Mellberg – Dean’s Garage
#carart
3 Responses
Bob, I saw your latest work at the Royal Oak Historical Museum. I was there on opening night. All your work is great. Sorry I missed you. I played with Vizcom a little but could use your expertise to really get it to sing like you.
Bob:
Thanks for showing your latest work and others at the Royal Oak Museum. I think its entirely appropriate that the new creative car design technologies be shown to the public. It shows not only the new technology, but also how us retired designers can continue to create inspiring new car designs. Congratulations.
Ron Will
Hello Bob,
Extremely compelling design work! You are showing the world that creativity is limitless as well as ageless!!!!!! It’s not just the enabling technologies; it’s the creativity within one’s mind and spirit that truly matters!!!! Awesome, inspirational Bob!