Richard Haskin has always loved art and Italian culture. As a third-generation UAW-Ford member, he also takes pride in the automotive industry and Detroit culture and history. Haskin has combined these passions in his photography that recognizes two global cultures and automotive cities. His work will be celebrated in an exhibit on Friday, March 27.

Haskin's photos capture the Italian influences in Detroit's architecture, art and culture. Three of his works will be featured at UAW-Ford's Art Collaborative, a juried exhibit, featuring 90 artworks from 44 hourly and salaried UAW-Ford members nationwide.

His solo, photographic exhibit DETUR, debuted last year in Metro Detroit, and Detroit's sister-city, Turin, Italy. Three of his works chosen for the UAW-Ford show Conversation, Homage to Corrado Parducci and Mosaico.

"Turin, Italy and Detroit are very alike in a lot of ways," said Haskin. "They have both benefitted from, and are dependent upon, the automotive industry and both suffer when the industry pulls back."

Haskin, who worked at the Ford Research and Engineering Center in Dearborn for 40 years as a pipefitter, and more recently in predictive maintenance, graduated from Wayne State University with a fine arts degree thanks to the UAW-Ford Tuition Assistance program. His art career blossomed in the seven years since then.

Haskin's second show, Art Within Art: from Italy to Detroit and Vice-Versa! also exhibited last year in Turin and at the Dearborn Rotunda Gallery. For that project, Haskin was granted the rare honor of photographing art within the Detroit Institute Arts.

Haskin is working on his next project, Rearview Mirror, a photographic essay on the influence of the automotive industry on Detroit culture. "It is becoming much easier and clearer to see how creativity is helping Detroit resurge," said Haskin. "Even before the big money comes to the rescue, it is first the creative individuals who make the difference. Where others see problems, the creative individuals see opportunities."

About UAW-Ford
Rooted in the spirit of labor and management cooperation, the UAW-Ford relationship also has grown over the years and today serves as a benchmark for how labor and management can successfully work together for the benefit of all. The UAW and Ford are more than just workers and a manufacturer that builds cars and trucks, together, they've become leading supporters in the communities where they live and work, and are making substantial contributions to the quality of life of neighborhoods with artwork; music; athletics; and mentoring abilities.