swdetroit — iSWD Programming — Inside Southwest Detroit

Neighbors, youth, and artists gathered this week as Tom Stoye began his public art installation as part of the Porch on TAP artist residency program. Tom is hanging 10 large (3ft by 4ft) portraits of youth from around the City of Detroit in The Alley on fences, garages, and buildings alongside existing artwork of various mediums.

The installation provided an exciting opportunity for people to come out and witness the process of installing large photographs outdoors for public viewing. Several artists wanted to help to assist and also learn more about the method.

Each creative installation on The Alley is a tangible monument to a set of unlikely relationships that are formed as a result of the processes we engage in to create the work people see. They often involve at least one artist, someone who lives in the property where the work is created/installed, and at least one young person.

Tom’s installation, like many, involved a handful of each… all chipping in to help on top of enjoying time and space together. These relationships offer a richness to the community that cannot be bought and are key to the benefits TAP offers the neighborhood. In this way conversations are started and new connections are made, creative processes are explained and understood, and new ideas come about.

Programming, CommunityInside Southwest DetroitOctober 28, 2019wheatpaste, swdetroit, southwest detroit, tom stoye, PoTAP

Chuy the Barber Welcomed As Porch On TAP Artist In Residence

We’re honored to welcome Chuy the Barber as one of several Porch On TAP artists in residence this year helping to activate our new space on Avis and Elsmere!!

Chuy is a licensed barber living and working in Southwest Detroit where he grew up. His voice is loud and clear and his passion front and center when talking about how our gifts can serve others in a way that helps us take care ourselves and each other at the same time. He is truly a living example of the power of living our lives at the intersection of our passions and our community’s needs.

During his residency Chuy is sharing skills related to barbering while also leading discussions (and by example) about the intersection between creativity and business in his field, craft, and the importance of process and experience in all of our work. He will be working individually with several young aspiring barbers, offering tips and mentoring, while other members of the community will benefit from free haircuts during the process.

The Porch On TAP invites youth, neighbors, and artists to share time and space during workshops, a community meal, and public installation as we activate the building and it’s front porch. Together we are building and celebrating community through creative processes.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitSeptember 23, 2019PoTAP, Chuy the Barber, ElsmereAndAvis, southwest detroit, swdetroit, 8869

Photo Arts and Mentoring with Gabriela Baginski of La Sirena Studio

Gabriela Baginski of La Sirena studio shares her passion for photography every chance she gets… from classes at local schools to presentations and workshops with community organizations, her processes are engaging and impactful.

Most recently Gabriela has been building with a group of aspiring photographers through photo arts and mentoring at Inside Southwest Detroit.

Learning from others’ work is inspirational… her students are being exposed to a range of photographers’ works while also creating their own in a variety of educational exercises. In this way, hands-on, they are learning about processes in creating their own inspirational products.

In small group and one on one sessions she is sharing info and skills tailored to meet aspiring photographers where they are—teaching them how to use their camera equipment, save and manage their files, set up lighting, properly exposing photos to save time in post processing and more.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitJuly 26, 2019photo, photo arts, southwest detroit, swdetroit, la sirena studio

Community Open Mic Night

We miss Cafe con Leche. Much of the community does. Aside from great coffee it was a haven for good company and a hub for creativity. The Vernor and Scotten store front inspired chit chat and a constant conspiring of ideas that often grew from the coffee tables to impact the broader community. One of those impacts included Grace In Action’s Open Mic nights that were held monthly at the now-closed coffee shop. `

The Open Mic nights were originally created as “a space to build community and relationship where everyone is welcome and encouraged to share their gifts of music and poetry no matter their skill level." according to Pastor John Cummings of Grace In Action.

This is part of what we are missing. And we talk about it. It is why Grace In Action convened community partners Garage Cultural and Inside Southwest to help reinstate the popular program. Last week it happened.

The Community Open Mic lifts up creatives and connects community in a way that creates the space for chatter and process as Cafe con Leche did.

Inside Southwest Detroit was excited to host In the midst of Porch on TAP artist residency activities that have invited in the community in new ways and introduced the space as a place to gather and celebrate each others’ talents. Neighbors who regularly visit the building were introduced to new networks of musicians, spoken word, and performing artists while the artists were able to share their work in a home field community setting.

Organizers and performers Gabriel Duran and Mari Sanchez reached out to creatives—some seasoned, some shy—to sign up for slots or just come out to support those who did.

“There was a lot of first-time performers that needed an intimate setting to perform. And other performers that have had artistic block were inspired.” said Nyasia Valdez.

Artists and audience engaged with one another during the event and were encouraged to connect and build with repeated announcements to share social media channels on the dry erase board. Nyasia added, “A lot of people added each other and now look interested in attending each others’ events.”

Programming, CommunityInside Southwest DetroitJuly 25, 2019swdetroit, southwest detroit, potap, open mic, ElsmereAndAvis

Young Detroit Photo Society Kicks Off with A Photo Walk

Three youth serving photo programs in Detroit—Capturing Belief, Darkroom Detroit, and Inside Southwest Detroit—came together to develop the Young Detroit Photo Society (YDPS) as a program that introduces the youth of Detroit to photography by way of also introducing them to each other and their own city.

With an emphasis on skill building in photography, youth from various neighborhoods around Detroit meet and serve as each others’ guides as they participate in photo-based scavenger hunts that ultimately produce community-driven narratives about places and their time together. The program supports youth in developing photographic competencies, exploring and learning about different places around the city, and connecting and building relationships with youth from various communities and backgrounds.

Inside Southwest Detroit recently hosted the first edition when more than 20 young photographers from around the city met at their space at Avis and Elsmere. They were greeted by photo mentors, also from various neighborhoods and organizations around the city.

Eight of the participants were from Southwest Detroit and served as guides in groups on photo walks that covered a half square mile. Having gone in different directions, the young photogs reunited at the building to share their photos with mentors and each other then collaboratively selected and captioned photos that would best depict the routes they traveled. Together the body of work forms a photo narrative of the community and their time together.

No part of this effort would be possible without the mission and vision of the organizations and the shared passion and values of the photographers that each contributed to developing and facilitating this first YDPS project. A special thanks to La Sirena Studio and the Documenting Detroit Fellowship for their support and roles as mentors to the young photographers of the YDPS.

Community, ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitDecember 15, 2018young detroit photo society, ydps, southwest detroit, swdetroit, 8869avis, photography, mentoring, partnerships, programming

An Evening of Spoken Word Performance with Candida the Poet

Candida the Poet hosted an evening of spoken word performance as her middle school participants performed alongside their instructor and guest poets in front of 20 parents, youth, and neighbors for the Porch On TAP artist residency program.

If the youth were nervous… it barely showed. Their amplified voices fluctuated with the power of their stories. Topics ranged from relationships to family, incarceration, faith, politics, and beauty. Family and friends clapped and cheered.

Candida and Justin Gordon, both members of The Guild Poetry Collective, performed pieces of their own acclaimed work much to the excitement of the youth and the rest of the audience.

The evening ended with talk of how this is something that is missing… and that they would like to do something about it. Open Mic nights and poetry workshops is something they said they would like to make sure happens beyond the residency.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitOctober 19, 2018potap, 8869avis, southwestdetroit, swdetroit, thealleyproject, spokenword, candidathepoetComment

Students Return For Another Round of Basics with DJ Skipz

DJ Skipz’s students returned for another workshop to recall the basics from the previous session and build on them with some new challenges and techniques. Matching beats, juggling, and even a little scratching kept everyone around until the sun went down.

Parents and a few guests dropped in to enjoy the space and each others’ company. Several neighborhood DJs have come through and are meeting each other for the first time… and have been throwing around some ideas about how to get together more regularly in a way that keeps the youth engaged in the culture.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitOctober 8, 2018potap, djskipz, thealleyproject, swdetroit, southwestdetroitComment

Weekly Mariachi Guitar Classes with Machetes

Youth and several adults are coming twice weekly for mariachi guitar with Machetes. Together they are also developing a medley to perform at the building in several weeks for neighbors, youth, and other musicians and artists.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitOctober 3, 2018potap, thealleyproject, 8869avis, swdetroit, southwest detroit, mariachi, machetesComment

Spoken 101 with Candida

Candida ran back-to-back workshops this week—Spoken Word 101 with elementary age participants in the morning and continued work with her small group of new, young middle school poets throughout the afternoon.

Team builders, videos, demonstrations and other activities introduced the young audiences to poetry in ways they hadn’t seen or done themselves.

The middle schoolers worked this week on building their confidence by working in teams with critical feedback and performing in front of themselves.

You can see the difference in the questions they are asking and in their work. They are preparing works for a public presentation in the coming weeks where they will perform an evening of poetry in front of a modest audience of no more than 20.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitSeptember 29, 2018potap, candidathepoet, thealleyproject, swdetroit, southwest detroit, 8869 avisComment

DJ Skipz Welcomed As One of Several Community-Selected Porch On TAP Artists in Residence

We’re honored to welcome DJ Skipz as one of several community-selected Porch On TAP artists in residence helping to activate our new space on Avis and Elsmere!! DJ Skipz grew up here in Southwest Detroit and mixes live weekly on the Inside Southwest Detroit LiveMix on Facebook.

During his residency Skipz will be focusing on exposure and skill building with young aspiring DJs that have little to no experience to support youth interest and talent in the culture.

The Porch On TAP invites youth, neighbors, and artists to share time and space during workshops, a community meal, and public installation to help activate the building. Together we are building and celebrating community through creative processes.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitSeptember 27, 2018thealleyproject, southwest detroit, swdetroit, potap, 8869avis, djskipzComment

Machetes Welcomed from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, as One of several Community-Selected Porch On TAP Artists in Residence

We’re honored to welcome Machetes, joining us from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, as one of several community-selected Porch On TAP artists in residence helping to activate the new space!!

Machetes is an accomplished mariachi who has been playing for over 30 years and specializes in the vihuela, a small, five-stringed guitar with roots in 15th century Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

When traveling Machetes plays with local mariachis and offers lessons in the specialized techniques of the vihuela. During the residency he will be instructing small groups twice weekly for four weeks leading up to a public performance here at the building.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitSeptember 25, 2018vihuela, potap, thealleyproject, 8869avis, southwestdetroit, swdetroit, machetesComment

Candida The Poet Welcomed as Artist in Residence For Porch On TAP

Candida The Poet is a writer, performer, and an advocate from Southwest Detroit. Her poetry and instruction demonstrate the power of voice and introspection, often challenging systemic injustice while raising awareness about a range of social topics including violence, incarceration, and addiction. Candida’s poem about gentrification, “Painfully Painted”, has been recognized for its relevance and perspective and is currently integrated into the Political Science curriculum at Wayne State University.

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

During her residency she will focus her work with a small group of middle school poets who have never composed and performed original works for an audience—working to develop experiences and skills in writing, collective participation/feedback, and performance. Additionally she will facilitate Spoken Word 101 workshops with younger youth to promote exposure to written and performance arts.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitSeptember 22, 2018thealleyproject, 8869avis, southwestdetroit, swdetroit, candidathepoet, spokenword, potapComment

Walking The Alley, Andrea Identifies Public Art Installation Location

Andrea walked the alley along TAP to identify potential locations for her public art installation. In the end she found a perfect location that both she and the property owner are excited about.

She was curious about and interested in local plant life along the alley and shared a little about several plants native to the region around Mexico City, where she is from.

After the walk and talk she identified this garage as an ideal location. We reached out to the owner and he was excited to offer it as a canvas for her installation. This garage is ideally arranged and located to host an installation that celebrates our collaboration by housing two engraved poster prints of plants local to Detroit and to Mexico City. One on each side. In the middle will be a mural depicting bird houses with several birds, local to Michigan and to Mexico, by Southwest Detroit artist Bryant Valdez.

During Andrea’s residency Bryant was exposed to printmaking for the first time and took an immediate interest in it—learning new techniques and approaches daily with her instruction. Eventually he attended almost every workshop she offered during her time here.

They are eager and excited to work together on this project to create an installation, in partnership with the homeowner, for the community to enjoy.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitAugust 16, 2018potap, 8869avis, thealleyproject, swdetroit, southwest detroit, andreanarnoComment

Graficanarno Welcomed As New Porch On TAP Artist in Residence

Graficanarno is a printmaker born and living in Mexico City. She believes art is a powerful tool for radical social transformation, especially in our uncertain times. Together with her collective, Mujeres Grabando Resistencia , she has engaged in campaigns to raise awareness about and challenge various social conditions including femicide in Mexico.

She is a teaching spirit and values creative processes as an important part of community building. Graficanarno travels around Mexico and internationally to share skills through workshops and public installations.

She is joining us, fresh off a workshop series in Chicago and Milwaukee, as a resident artist at The Alley Project. She is helping to inaugurate our new home on Avis and Elsmere as we transform our front porch to a setting for artistic exchange during our artist residency program, the Porch On TAP!!

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitAugust 14, 2018mujeresgrabandoresistencia, thealleyproject, 8869avis, swdetroit, southwestdetroit, potap, andreanarnoComment

Mural Installation Progress Party on Avis and Elsmere

More than 60 neighbors, youth, and artists gathered today to share a meal and watch the mural installation progress with Pherz and Freddy on Avis and Elsmere.

Several of The Alley Project’s networks enjoyed each others’ company, many visiting the building and even meeting for the first time.

The porch was animated with food, music, sketching, stories, laughter, and children everywhere you turned.

As the sun set those who stuck around took it indoors to enjoy the AC and got to see the building lit up and entering sleep mode after a full day of use.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitJune 4, 2018potap, thealleyproject, southwestdetroit, swdetroit, 8869avis, pherzComment

Inaugural Community Meal at TAP

The faces and places in and around the building are fully activated after a community meal that hosted more than 60 neighbors, youth, and artists.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitJune 4, 2018potap, pherz, swdetroit, southwest detroit, thealleyproject, 8869avis, ElsmereAndAvisComment

Blackbook Sessions with Pherz

Pherz held blackbook sessions this week inviting artists and their families to gather, pass books and stickers around, and sketch.

Everyone leaves with something from someone else who’s work they respect and has the chance to return the favor. The sessions serve as recreation, skill share, and community building.

Freddy and Pherz got to kick around concepts and logistics for the mural installation that will begin within the next couple days.

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitJune 2, 2018potap, pherz, 8869avis, thealleyproject, swdetroit, southwest detroit, blackbook, freddydiazComment

Pherz Welcomed as Porch On TAP Artist in Residence

Pherz is a street artist and muralist from Missouri. He lived in Detroit for several years in the early 2000s and was a regular visitor to The Alley from 2004-2007 as it was just beginning to take shape.

Pherz and writers from his crew spent time with youth, neighbors, and invited other artists to do the same—impacting the early years and development of The Alley Project.

Now Pherz is rejoining us from St Louis as a resident artist at The Alley Project. He is helping us inaugurate our new home on Avis and Elsmere as we transform our front porch to a setting for artistic exchange during our artist residency program, the Porch On TAP!!

ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitMay 31, 2018potap, thealleyproject, southwestdetroit, swdetroit, pherz, 8869avisComment

Light Play and Construction Meeting

Enjoying the light play during the construction meeting today. The board, architects, and contractors reviewed recent progress together as we are compiling a final punch list to draw the long construction process to a close. Soon we will be in the building running programming.

OrganizationInside Southwest DetroitJanuary 5, 2018tap869, 8869avis, southwestdetroit, swdetroit, thealleyprojectComment

Finishing Touches

Finishing touches are underway. This week picking colors for the wood panels, final cleanup in the tenant space, and paint for the rear wall of the building are all complete. We’re not there yet but the final vision is really showing through.

OrganizationInside Southwest DetroitDecember 22, 2017tap869, 8869avis, thealleyproject, southwestdetroit, swdetroitComment