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Thanks to Charlie from Curve (Detroit's hottest agency) we were shown a side of Detroit that's not shared with tourists, business people or most other visitors to the city. He called us with our meeting plan: "Here's the address where we'll meet. Be prepared that this will appear to be a rough neighborhood. I don't want you to be surprised when you arrive."

Charlie was right. After driving through neighborhood after neighborhood of places where most would uneasily lock their doors, we arrived at Lahser Rd. Within minutes we spied a pretty awesome street sculpture. Charlie arrived about 60 seconds later.

Like the Mayor of Detroit, Charlie gave us a personal tour of the recently restored Redford Theater (beautious beyond belief), and what can only be described as a secret artist's village. We walked through a mechanic's garage that led into a series of spaces that have been given to the community. Artists Village, indeed.

Art studios, makeshift theater spaces, learning centers, gardens, courtyards and an endless sea of art, sculpture and inspiration. A collapsed building roof creates an opportunistic courtyard. Walls of blight are canvas. He told us about the history of Blight Busters, and pointed to several projects still in the works.

The neighborhood is inspiring to anyone. Artists, entrepreneurs, urban planners, architects and sociologists. If you live in Detroit and haven't seen this, we suggest a trip downtown. If you're visiting the motor city, call Charlie. We all left knowing that we had seen something very, very special.

Thanks, Charlie!

Labels: architecture, detroit, nonprofit

posted by darryl ohrt at 8:44 PM

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