GSSEM Is Part of the City of Detroit's DCLEATED Art Installation for the NFL Draft

Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan (GSSEM) is one of 20 non-profit organizations that will help Detroit put its best foot forward for the NFL Draft in April.

March 22, 2024

Local artists Laura Mettam and Kay Blair designed the 125-pound cleat to present Girl Scouts to the thousands and thousands of visitors who will converge on our city for the draft. The GSSEM cleat will be displayed at the Detroit Foundation Hotel starting next month.

Laura, who was a GSSEM parent volunteer, and Kay were selected to create by the City of Detroit City Walls department through a competitive, open call process. Each artist then partnered with a local non-profit with a mission the artist is passionate about. The artists were charged with incorporating the non-profit's story and message into the cleat design.

GSSEM's cleat highlights the Girl Scout mission, 'building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.' Girl Scout cookies, featuring the Lemon Ups printed with the words 'I am a Leader,' and girls' handprints adorn the sides. The iconic Trefoil symbol of Girl Scouts is prominently displayed as well.

"I just thought it would be great if the girls could see themselves represented in this cleat and part of the community and this exciting event," Mettam said.

The DCLEATED art installation will be displayed throughout downtown Detroit. An online auction opens the first week of April and will close following the NFL Draft at an event celebrating the artists and their selected charities. All proceeds from the auction will directly benefit the charities.