When you ruminate about what Detroit has to offer, perhaps you’d consider American manufactured automobiles or the preserved sounds of Motown music. You might not, however, think of Detroit as a landing pad or incubator for art. Furthermore, if you mapped out artist havens in Detroit, would you consider placing a pinpoint in the location that is Eastern Market?
Until recently, Eastern Market was the place where I shopped for fresh produce and ate at my newly-favored pizzeria. Now, I marvel at the magnetizing pull of sheer talent and artistry there.
Last Friday afternoon, the gang (Challenge Detroit fellows) and I participated in an Eastern Market self-guided tour. Our tour began with a stroll up Russell Street, the main vein of Eastern Market, searching for a photography studio; it was small and tucked away into a corner of a building, unassuming. The building blended into its surrounding edifices, and didn’t appear to be anything extraordinary—until we entered. Art seemed to find its way in, up the stairs and towards this loft-style studio. The studio belonged to Michelle Andonian, a “lifer” (a term used to describe someone who was born, raised and remained in Detroit).
Michelle’s tenacity and “bad-ass” Detroit swank abetted her extensive career in photography. She kick-started it by leveraging her photographs of the demolition of the J.L. Hudson storefront, in downtown Detroit, to become gainfully employed with the Detroit News for several years. Moreover, she cast her net wide and caught some significant international and national jobs in photo-journalism and advertisement, and as a result, established herself as a world-renowned photographer from Detroit.
Michelle boasted that there are pockets of art communities in Detroit, and Eastern Market is one of them. Currently, six different art galleries operate within the 42-acres of land, including Red Bull House of Art and Signal Return. Both are new to the area. Red Bull House of Art is a place where up-and-coming artists spend a period of time crafting art that culminates into a large community event at the house. (If you have yet to attend an event there, you should—it’s totally worth it!) Signal Return is a modern, fully operating word press. Local designers, and even the average Joe, are encouraged to join the workshops to learn the design and technique of word press printing. One fantastic part about this shop is the hometown feel. As a visitor, you are welcomed to chat with the artists about their work, purchase merchandise and even play with their four-legged canine companion.
Drawing toward the end of our art gallery tour, we decided that there was no greater way to end the day than indulging a delightful treat from the Mootown Creamery.
If I had to sum up my tour experience in one word, I’d say, WOW! Detroit is a COOL place, and unless you explore these small pockets of beauty, it is impossible to identify all of the things that Detroit has to offer.
Art is found everywhere in Eastern Market, including on the side of this abandoned building.
Challenge Detroit Fellows watching a documentary that Michelle produced.
Contributed by fellow Cornetta Lane