Programming — iSWD Programming — Inside Southwest Detroit

Bright Ideas: Creating Art with Sunlight!

These past couple weeks Open Studio at Inside Southwest Detroit has been led by Gabriela Baginski who welcomed youth participants aged 4 to 16 for a hands-on exploration of art and nature.

Through the use of sunlight, plants, and a bit of chemistry, the young artists created their own lumen prints and cyanotypes, turning everyday objects into beautiful compositions.

The process is captivating: everyday objects like leaves and salt transform into beautiful compositions, all guided by the sun. But this workshop isn't just about the final product—it's about the joy of experimentation and the creative journey.

How do you make art from sunlight? Gabriela encourages the youth to find out for themselves. “The sun is taking the picture for you,” she explains, as participants arrange plants and other items for their prints.

“As they explore the world around them, their confidence grows, connecting art to nature and unlocking their potential in the process.”

Throughout the workshop, mistakes become part of the process, and each unique creation is celebrated. Whether they’re painting cyanotype liquid or blowing bubbles for texture, the young artists discover that there’s no one right way to create—only infinite possibilities.

As a bonus, the students are learning about composition and artistic decision-making in an intuitive, playful way—gently preparing them for more complex darkroom techniques without feeling like they’re in a classroom.

As they explore the world around them, their confidence grows, connecting art to nature and unlocking their potential in the process.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitSeptember 26, 2024open studio, cyanotypes, lumen prints, gabriela baginski, darkroom, creative process

Youth Filmmakers Shine at SW Fest!

After completing the "Art of Storytelling Through the Smartphone" workshop with Anthony Valadez, students had the opportunity to see their work come to life on the big screen.

Their shorts premiered together as a single 6m29s short film at the historic Senate Theater during Southwest Detroit’s annual SW Fest, an event that celebrates community and creativity. This screening marked a major moment for the young filmmakers, allowing them to share their personal stories with the larger community.

“This screening marked a major moment for the young filmmakers, allowing them to share their personal stories with the larger community.”

The Young Filmmakers and Their Stories

Aviana, 15, provides a glimpse into her vibrant neighborhood, where she records her cousins and brothers on mini bikes. Christina, 13, invites us into her daily routine, from getting ready for a nail appointment to sharing a family dinner. Jalissa, 14, offers a window into her experience as an aunt, describing her five nieces and nephews and their unique personalities.

Darline's emotional videos reveal the deep bond she shares with her family, from an exchange with her brother and dancing with her father to a touching moment with her mother at her quinceañera. Isabella, 13, reflects on nature, contemplating the beauty and impermanence of the natural world, and how it relates to the challenges and joys of human life.

Darline and her family watch the premiere of the students’ film shorts alongside other locally produced films at SW Fest on August 24, 2024.

Anthony and Isabella close out the film engaging in a thoughtful exchange where they discuss the difficulties of life and the importance of persevering to experience its beauty. Isabella's wisdom, which goes beyond her years, resonates deeply as she speaks through multimedia expression.

A Celebration of Narrative

The films don’t stop at SW Fest. The students' work will continue to screen in community spaces throughout Southwest Detroit during the fall and winter, alongside other locally produced films. The screenings offer the youth a platform to share their stories with family, friends, and neighbors.

The Power of Community Storytelling

This workshop series empowered students to use technology for creative expression and engage with their community. Inside Southwest Detroit’s commitment to creative expression is realized as students learn new skills, explore life’s complexities, and share their personal experiences with the wider community. These films stand as a testament to the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and transform.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitAugust 31, 2024sw fest, film, anthony valadez, potap

Beats In Bloom: DJ Rosez Cultivates Creativity

Houston-based DJ Rosez, with Salvadoran roots, brought her passion for music and community to Inside Southwest Detroit as part of the Porch On TAP artist residency.

Through her workshops and performances, she introduced young participants to the world of DJing, showing how music can be a powerful tool for connection and self-expression.

From Psych to Sound: A Sonic Seed Takes Root

Five years ago, she transitioned from a career in psychology and diversity consulting to becoming a full-time DJ. She found that her passion for music offered a more authentic path to creative and community work. Music wasn’t just a hobby—it was her true calling.

“She found that her passion for music offered a more authentic path to creative and community work. ”

Creating Spaces for Young Learners

Back in Houston, Rosez has worked with school-aged children, blending her love of music with her commitment to helping youth connect with their creative potential. In her Detroit workshops, she focused on play and experiential learning. Her goal? To show young students that music is something they can access and create, no matter their age or experience.

“I’m here to take up space.”

— DJ Rosez

Rosez encouraged the kids to experiment with DJ equipment, urging them to play, explore, and feel the rhythm. "I’m here to take up space," she says, inspiring the children to break the mold of what a DJ can look like and who belongs behind the decks.

For Rosez, DJing is more than performance—it’s a way to express identity, build connections, and create safe spaces for all. While in Detroit, DJ Rosez also performed at SW Fest, an annual festival that celebrates local creativity and community. Her students had the chance to see her in action and how music connects and energizes people.

DJ Rosez performs her 5:55p set at SW Fest, an annual celebration of community and creativity. August 24, 2024

Music as a Tool for Empowerment

With a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology, DJ Rosez brings an understanding of human behavior and community building into her DJ practice. She is showing how DJing can be a powerful form of storytelling and connection—how it’s not just about beats, it’s about belonging.

In just a few days, Rosez left her students with a message that will echo long after the music fades: music is for everyone, and with the right tools, anyone can take up space.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitAugust 26, 2024dj rosez, southwest detroit, potap, dj, sw fest, play learning

Break The Rules, Tell Your Story

In his second workshop series, "Art of Storytelling Through the Smartphone," PoTAP resident artist Anthony Valadez taught local students how to create powerful films starting with what they already have—their stories and their smartphones. His approach focused on breaking down traditional filmmaking barriers and prioritized creativity over technical skill.

“Anthony encouraged students to experiment with what they had—shaky camera work, unconventional angles, and raw footage were all valid tools as long as they added meaning to the story.”

Creativity Over Perfection

Valadez emphasized that the creative process was more important than aiming for perfection. He encouraged students to experiment with what they had—shaky camera work, unconventional angles, and raw footage were all valid tools as long as they added meaning to the story.

"Break the rules, but do so with intention," he reminded them. Valadez promised to follow the students’ decisions in post processing as long as they could explain why they wanted something included or cut from their films.

EMpowering Young Filmmakers

The workshop was all about empowering young voices through storytelling. Valadez helped the students understand that filmmaking doesn’t require expensive equipment or flawless execution. Instead, it’s about using what’s available to tell stories that matter.

Valadez fostered an atmosphere of collaboration throughout the session. The group engaged in icebreakers and hands-on activities like filming together and sharing ideas, promoting a sense of community and teamwork. By placing the power in the hands of the students, the workshop celebrated creativity, self-expression, and the importance of every individual's voice.

Beyond Media Consumption

Inside Southwest Detroit demonstrates our commitment to community storytelling by supporting students to move beyond media consumption and become a producer of media—because we all have stories to tell and the means to share them.

“...move beyond media consumption and become a producer of media—because we all have stories to tell and the means to share them. ”

Anthony Valadez summarizes his second workshop series, "Art of Storytelling Through the Smartphone".

Programming, CommunityInside Southwest DetroitAugust 24, 2024

Mixing Memories

Student DJ’s Guest Host ‘Sounds For Plant Lovers, Vol. 35’

A group of young music enthusiasts recently wrapped a special workshop series led by veteran radio DJ Anthony Valadez. The goal was to guide the participants through the process of creating their own personalized music mixes, complete with song introductions and context.

Anthony walked the group through an introduction to storytelling and the technical aspects, showing them how to edit the audio and create smooth transitions. "Remember, context is key," Anthony advised. “We want to know why these songs matter to you.”

“Remember, context is key... We want to know why these songs matter to you.”

— Anthony Valadez

The young DJs rose to the occasion, sharing the meaning behind their musical selection to draw people into why these songs matter to them. Participants included Allan, a 10-year-old who chose songs that reminded him of his crush, Devine, a 9-year-old who picked upbeat tracks with great music videos, and Juju, a 10-year-old who selected songs about getting money to help his stepmom.

Isabella, a 13-year-old, shared deeply personal choices that honored her late mother and 15-year-old Aviana paid tribute to the memory of her uncle and grandmother whose graves she visits regularly with her family.

As the mixes came together, you could feel the sense of pride fill the room. "You're about to be a DJ!" Anthony said. The workshop culminated in a listening party, where participants traded shy smiles, excited squealing, and tears as their personalized soundtracks played. Juju laughed as he heard his own voice, while Isabelle grew emotional listening to the song that reminded her of her late mother—each of them deeply moved and proud of the mixes they had created.

Tune in to Sounds For Plant Lovers, Volume 35 on Mixcloud to hear the young student DJs guest host alongside Anthony Valadez and share their personal soundtracks and stories.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitAugust 22, 2024potap, anthony valadez, sounds for plant lovers, morning becomes eclectic, southwest detroit, detroit, los angeles, mixtape, broadcast arts, audio, storytelling, positive youth development

Finding Your Voice: Music and Storytelling with Anthony Valadez

Anthony Valadez, a DJ, cultural strategist, and storyteller from Los Angeles, was welcomed as the artist-in-residence for the Porch On TAP workshop series at Inside Southwest Detroit.

Through two engaging workshop series, Valadez is supporting youth to express themselves creatively using music, storytelling, and filmmaking.

In his first series Anthony led the youth in exploration of the art of storytelling through music and personal narratives. Valadez, a seasoned radio personality, shared his own journey, emphasizing the importance of engaging with people's stories within the community.

"I learned that having some really good dialogs with people on the radio didn't just teach me a lot of cool things, but I got to learn about people's stories in the community," Valadez explained.

Throughout the workshop, participants were encouraged to share their own stories and perspectives, with Valadez stressing the practical value of developing strong storytelling skills.

“You can listen to a song on your own, but once you hear what it means to somebody, you’ll never be able to hear it in the same way again… you make people lean in when you provide context.”

— Anthony Valadez

The group put this into practice, engaging in activities that honed their critical thinking and fostered deeper connections as they learned to listen to and appreciate each other's narratives. The workshop aimed to empower young people through self-expression, helping them build positive relationships with each other and to develop creative skills they can use beyond the classroom.

By the end, students left with new creative skills and a deeper understanding of storytelling. Through music and personal narrative Anthony Valadez helped them to find their voices and connect with others in meaningful ways—skills that will stick with them long after the workshop.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitAugust 18, 2024potap, anthony valadez, mixtape, sounds for plant lovers, storytelling, positive youth development, morning becomes eclectic, los angeles, detroit, southwest detroit

POP-UP Portrait Studio Celebrates Youth, Photography, and Community

The POP-UP Portrait Studio continues a rich legacy of community storytelling in Southwest Detroit. This summer, eight young photographers joined the internship program at Inside Southwest Detroit, learning technical and creative photography skills while honoring the community's past and shaping its future.

Inspired by the work of our longtime partners Capturing Belief and La Sirena Studio, the POP-UP Portrait Studio continues the legacy of our collaborative efforts in youth-focused photography education. This includes initiatives like Young Detroit Photo Society, which also involved Darkroom Detroit. These programs and their creators recognized the power of photography for community building, cultural pride, and personal expression. The collective work has paved the way for today’s young photographers, who are now contributing their own perspectives to this ongoing narrative.

The studio taps into a broader tradition of lens-based storytelling that spans cultures and generations, drawing inspiration from photographers like Mary Ellen Mark, Malick Sibidé, Yousuf Karsh, Graciela Iturbide, Sebastião Salgado, and Martin Schoeller. These artists have transformed the potential of documentation and inspired generations by capturing and sharing the histories they've experienced.

Assortment of images by Mary Ellen Mark, Malick Sidibé, Yousuf Karsh, Graciela Iturbide, Sebastião Salgado, and Martin Schoeller who have transformed the potential of documentation and inspired generations by capturing and sharing the histories they've experienced.

The youth apprentices are learning not just how to take photos, but how to see their community in a new light, tell its stories, and continue the legacy of those who came before them. By participating in the POP-UP Portrait Studio, they are building on a lineage of photographers who celebrate the beauty, strength, and diversity of their communities.

POP-UP Portraits taken by the youth apprentices at The Alley Project during Aerosol Nightmares, a weekend mural festival centered in Southwest Detroit. July 14, 2024

The internship serves as an entry point into a community of practice that values storytelling, creativity, and collaboration. The studio synthesizes these inspirations, offering youth a chance to actively contribute to and shape the future of Southwest Detroit’s storytelling tradition. By engaging in this program, young photographers are ensuring that community-driven storytelling will continue to thrive for years to come.

Programming, PartnershipsInside Southwest DetroitJuly 14, 2024pop-up portrait studio, the alley project, avis street photo studio, mary ellen mark, malick sidibe, yousuf karsh, graciela iturbide, sebastiao salgado, martin schoeller, la sirena studio, capturing belief, young detroit photo society, darkroom detroit

Body And Soul

Aurora Trotter recently led an engaging four-week breakin’ workshop to develop and perform a dance set with neighborhood youth as part of her Porch on TAP artist residency at Inside Southwest Detroit.

Some of the youth started off pretty shy and unsure if dance was something they could, or even wanted to do. It is important to Aurora to always meet people where they are. She models action and exploration and encourages students to experience dance physically before judging if it's for them or not. Trotter says that hip-hop dance in particular "speaks to the soul" and that younger audiences are able to access it because "you don't need anything to get started" besides courage.

“I love teaching kids. I love sharing what I know, I love making it accessible.”

— Aurora Trotter

Working with participants as young as five years old in the workshops, Aurora crafted thoughtful worksheets to engage her students mentally and emotionally, beyond just physical dance.

Though Aurora arranged an open-ended creative space, the structure required to complete the performance revealed itself as a highlight throughout the workshops. Her teaching style offers plenty of freedom to explore while also scaffolding an environment that is familiar with clear expectations.

Developing a daily practice is a way to kind of automate the things we’re passionate about. Aurora said, "I don't want them to give up because something's hard in life, whether it's dance or something else. And that's really what I want them to get is like, it might be hard today, but if you do it every day, whatever it is, it's easier." In dance we can teach our bodies how to be, how to act, and what to do when we ask it to. You might hear this called discipline, forming habits, or building muscle memory—it all comes from practice.

Learning specific choreographed eight counts in unison to a song gave workshop participants a sense of productive challenge. Regular preparations for their performance offered them a familiar routine to settle into and also ignited their motivation.

Older and younger students collaborated, supporting each however they could—offering critique and helping each other along in learning the routine. Watching video replays of their routine together as a team let them see what was working and what they can improve, in a community setting. They were motivated by seeing themselves dance and the collaborative aspects were memorable.

Each participant impressed Aurora with their excitement, even when their initial shyness occasionally returned week-to-week. Most importantly they demonstrated, each week, that dance lives inside anyone willing to access the courage to try.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitOctober 13, 2023aurora abolio, potap, breakdancing

A Season for Reflection

Creativity took center stage as Andre Moore led handmade zine-making workshops based on simple collaging and book assembly approaches for elementary and middle school youth at The Alley Project. The sessions, part of PoTAP’s workshop series, aim to foster imagination, community, and self-reflection among participants.

The two-part workshop kicked off with a basic introduction to several self-published zines and more popular magazines with Moore encouraging participants to explore nature-based themes and otherwise infusing creativity into their ideas.

Throughout the sessions, students delved into hands-on activities with scissors, glue, and staples, as well as collaging to turn their concepts into tangible expressions. Participants learned about what is possible through bookmaking while giving them a finished product they can write, draw, or otherwise create in.

Reflective Practice

Reflecting on the transition from summer to fall, Moore highlighted the importance of incorporating reflective practices like journaling and zine making. He believes these activities empower young people to gain a fuller understanding of themselves, recognizing patterns in their growth and development.

Moore emphasized the importance of not just creating a product but understanding the cognitive function of imagining and building ideas, “After the summer's over everyone kind of naturally hits that reflective space, especially in the Midwest, you know, as we are approaching the colder months. It is an open door for them to creatively express and also work on cognitive functions of being able to imagine, you know, certain things, and bring them directly into a tangible space… So I thought it was really important to incorporate something that allows for reflection, natural reflection.“

The workshops offer a glimpse into the power of hands-on learning and open the door to the transformative potential of storytelling for young minds.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitSeptember 30, 2023potap, the alley project, Andre Moore

Finding Creativity Through Constraint

In her first-ever writing workshop, Samantha introduced the concept of "constrained writing," explaining how limitations or rules can ignite creativity.

Drawing inspiration from the French literary movement Oulipo, she led the students through a series of writing exercises, including constrained, creative, and expressive writing. Rules and constraints can be powerful tools for channeling creative expression, especially for youth. Parameters can serve as guiding lights during our artistic journeys.

The constrained exercise pushed students to compose within specific boundaries, while the creative exercise invited them to collaboratively create fictional dialogues based on a painting. The students embraced this imaginative prompt with enthusiasm.

Finally, in the expressive exercise, Samantha encouraged students to free write about their loves, hates, or desires—emphasizing that sharing was optional, providing them a safe space to process emotions through unfiltered writing.

She was deeply moved by the students' enthusiastic embrace of experimental writing techniques. Initially hesitant about sharing their work, by the end of the workshop, many students proudly presented their creative pieces.

This experience not only marked significant growth for the students but also boosted Samantha's confidence as a facilitator. Her workshops at The Alley Project are not only empowering young minds to explore photography and writing, they are also instilling a culture of recreational and safe critique.

In Samantha's words, it is about "waiting in excited anticipation for what is going to be given to you, by your peers, or people who you enjoy, about how to improve what you're doing." This approach helped to reduce anxiety around feedback and fostered excitement for artistic growth.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitAugust 19, 2023samantha friend cabrera, potap, the alley project

We Can Celebrate And Critique At the Same Time

During her residency at The Alley Project, Samantha Friend Cabrera transitioned from being an artist to a facilitator, leading a short series of workshops aimed at nurturing the creative spirits of a young audience.

Although she doesn't typically consider herself a teacher, Samantha embraced the challenge of guiding a group of youth through a skill-building exploration of photography and writing.

An accessible environment of learning was accomplished in what she called a "third space" on The Alley Project during the workshops. It wasn't school, and it wasn't home, but a unique blend of formality and informality, providing the students with a casual and educational atmosphere.

We Can Celebrate + Critique

In her photography workshop, Samantha curated a selection of works by renowned photographers like Martin Parr, Lourdes Grobet, and Rineke Dijkstra, whose bold imagery she found undeniably engaging. Throughout the workshop, she emphasized the importance of celebrating and critiquing art simultaneously, a perspective she adopted from Martin Parr. Samantha encouraged students to express their opinions, fostering an environment where both praise and constructive feedback were valued.

Recreational critique can help to generate excitement, instead of fear, around feedback: "Rather than fearing the red pen, or having an anxiety around what's going to be said about it, imagine being able to wait in excited anticipation for what is going to be given to you, by your peers, or people who you enjoy about how to improve what you're doing." Samantha felt that setting this foundation allowed the students to engage openly

Each student was invited to share three of their own photographs with the group. As each image was projected, the students explained their choices, opening the floor for group critique. Samantha enjoyed guiding the students through thoughtful discussions, exploring the artistic choices and deeper meanings behind their photos. This exercise not only enhanced their understanding of photography but also provided insights into their lives and interests.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitAugust 17, 2023samantha friend cabrera, potap, the alley project, photography

Dia de Los Muertos Luminary Showcase

Despite the cold weather the youth, their parents, and neighbors gathered to share the artistic creations the young artists have been working on throughout the fall.

The days are getting shorter (and more damp) and that is part of why we value our annual mid-fall gathering as one of the last opportunities to connect before wintering as a community.

Traditionally Inside Southwest Detroit has focused on the last week of October and first week of November as an opportune time to uplift the values of local wisdom, inter-generational connections, and mentoring as we learn about the traditions and culture our communities celebrate together.

This year we celebrated on Dia de Los Muertos with a showcase of art from Porch on TAP residency with Mark Tucker with student-made luminaries, snacks, and some music. The time together warms our hearts as we get ready to slow down, spend more time indoors, and prepare ourselves and community for the Spring ahead of us.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitNovember 2, 2021tap833, luminaries, DiaDeLosMuertos, potap, porch on tap, The Alley Project

Youth Set Their Jewelry In Final Workshop with Rebel Nell

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitOctober 21, 2021rebel nell, potap, porch on tap, the alley project, tap833

Escuela Avancemos Students Visit The Alley Project To Talk Photography

Students from Escuela Avancemos visited The Alley Project as a way for participants from this summer’s Photo 101 to share about their experiences with their friends, explore TAP, and learn about ways that photography is changing people’s lives in their community.

Stephanie Ruiz, a member of La Sirena Studio on The Alley Project, shared about her experiences in Photo 101 classes and how she has built her own photo business over the years since graduating from high school. Students asked questions and started to share a bit about what they would like from another Photo 101 as part of the after school program.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitSeptember 30, 2021escuela avancemos, The Alley Project, potap, photography, photo 101

Camilla Cantu Welcomed as Porch On TAP Artist In Residence

Camilla Cantu is a musician and independent artist from Southwest Detroit. She believes in developing spaces in the Detroit community that uplift other women artists through mentorship, relationship building, and providing resources for up-and-coming creatives.

Camilla is the founder and director of member of Mariachi Femenil, “a female-based mariachi ensemble aiming to promote gender equality in music and performing arts, especially within the mariachi genre.” according to their Facebook Page.

Engaging and raising awareness around issues of documentation for undocumented residents through music and the visual arts is a passion and driving force behind Camilla’s practice.

Camilla is joining us as a resident artist at The Alley Project doing exactly that!! She is working with a creative team of neighbors, youth, and colleagues to collaboratively create the visuals for her new song, ‘Lights Out’. Her residency is helping us inaugurate our new outdoor classroom on Avis near Elsmere as we transform our front porch to a setting for artistic exchange during our artist residency program, the Porch On TAP.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitSeptember 28, 2021potap, porch on tap, artist residency, camilla cantu, mariachi femenil, tap833

Luminary Tradition Celebrated Through Program Series with Mark Tucker

The PoTAP residency with Mark Tucker is being celebrated through weekly workshops ahead of Dia de Los Muertos at The Alley Project. This year students will be able to show off their works at an outdoor showcase at The Alley Project.

In addition to community-based arts, Mark Tucker serves as art director for the Lloyd Scholars for Writing and the Arts where he develops and designs innovative arts programming and also teaches art classes, primarily for non-art majors, at the University of Michigan. Several of his students accompany him each week, traveling together to The Alley Project to deliver instruction and hands-on support as youth learn a new art form.

This is some of the progress the students have made so far. The residency will extend beyond September throughout October until the projects are completed and the weather turns on us—whichever happens last.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitSeptember 25, 2021luminaries, university of michigan, PoTAP, The Alley Project, southwestdetroit, tap833

Youth Harvest Paint for Their Jewelry with Rebel Nell at TAP

The physical part of Rebel Nell’s process of jewelry making begins with the procurement of paint from a range of surfaces.

For years The Alley Project has welcomed Rebel Nell to visit and to learn histories as layered as the paint they will work with. They eventually select surfaces and harvest paint from the alley, among other places, to make jewelry with.

This year, the youth get to join in as they learn how to make their own jewelry. And this particular surface is special. It is the garage door from a mural in 2011 by Pherz which was painted over several years of activities, sharing time, building relationships and art through painting for the completion and opening of Studio Luevanos and the lots.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitSeptember 16, 2021rebel nell, potap, porch on tap, thealleyproject, southwestdetroit, tap833, outdoor classroom

Mark Tucker Welcomed As Porch On TAP Artist In Residence

Mark Tucker is an artist born in Vermont, living in Michigan, whose current creative work revolves around community collaborations making large-scale public art sculptures, theater sets, and unique outdoor spectacles celebrating the Arts as a catalyst for creative community engagement.

Mark is joining us as a resident artist at The Alley Project!! He is helping us inaugurate our new outdoor classroom on Avis near Elsmere as we transform our front porch to a setting for artistic exchange during our artist residency program, the Porch On TAP.

Tucker is the founder of FestiFools, an annual large-scale public art event held in downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan, and co-founder of the non-profit WonderFool Productions who facilitates the event each year .

Mary Luevanos, community artist and activist and long-standing member of the Porch On TAP curation team introduced Mark to The Alley Project and we are lucky to have him (and Mary) each week for the duration of his residency.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitSeptember 11, 2021university of michigan, potap, porch on tap, The Alley Project, tap833, southwestdetroit

Community Mural for SW Fest with DeMaciiio

A handful of creatives from around the neighborhood have come together to share time and space with Demaciiio for some basics in aerosol, oil paint, and mural planning.

The mural, as a product, will be featured at the upcoming SW Fest to be held at Senate Theatre on Michigan Avenue in Southwest Detroit on Saturday, September 4th.

As a process, the outdoor mural workshops are providing space to build relationships, skills, and working collaboratively during this extended period of time of limited interaction with one another.

The final mural design incorporated themes of community building, sustainability, and collaborative imagined futures.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitAugust 30, 2021tap833, outdoor classroom, the alley project, demaciiio, southwestDetroit

Rebel Nell Shares Creativity, Process In Jewelry Making Workshops

Almost 10 years ago we were introduced to Amy and Diana, business partners, who were starting a company that made jewelry from decayed, flaking paint of local murals. We had questions. They had intentions. We got together around those things and it was the start of a relationship that continues to this day between Rebel Nell and The Alley Project.

We are honored that Rebel Nell has joined us at The Alley Project for a residency where youth and neighbors will be able to learn how to make their own jewelry, Rebel Nell style, from start to finish!

Zoey, Russel, Amanda, and Ethel have been spending time with two cohorts of participants to create jewelry from start to finish—from harvesting to shaping, placing, and finishing their custom jewelry. .

“Rebel Nell began in 2013 with the mission to provide employment, equitable opportunity, and wraparound support for women with barriers to employment. By repurposing meaningful materials into wearable art, we mark life’s important moments and connect them to your personal journey.”

— From Rebel Nell's Website

Be sure to check back soon for updates to see how the process and pieces turn out.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitAugust 26, 2021rebel nell, the alley project, potap, porch on tap, tap833