iSWD Programming — Inside Southwest Detroit

Construction Begins!

Construction (or at least deconstruction) began recently on our plaza project that we have been planning together for the past couple years!! The project includes the building at 8869 Avis and the lot across the street (9101 Avis) and will transform the corner into a plaza that will host performances, youth and community activities, gatherings, and more.

The building construction will take place first and then development and construction of the lot will follow soon after. The inside of the building is being prepared now for all the work that will happen between now and January, when the building is planned to open.

(Click on the tags below to see other photos from the process and see how the space is progressing… already it looks different than when we were planning together.)

OrganizationInside Southwest DetroitSeptember 30, 2016tap869, thealleyproject, ElsmereAndAvis, southwestdetroit, youngnationdetroitComment

5 Year Anniversary

This week marks 5 years since around 30 supporters from The Alley walked from Avis and #Elsmere to Lawndale and #Vernor to cast their community vote to support the project. This was the beginning of our transition from The Alley, started in 2004, to The Alley Project!!

Organization, ProgrammingInside Southwest DetroitJune 9, 2015thealleyproject, community engagement, cpad, detroit, swdetroitComment

House of Marley Documercial with Young Nation, Uso Car Club

This mini-documercial (90 sec) from House of Marley features footage and descriptions of the work of Young Nation in Southwest Detroit.

THANKS MUCH to House of Marley, Noah Levy Levy, the youth and adults of Young Nation, TAP (The Alley Project), and Uso Car Club!!

Let us know what you think about the video.

Programming, OrganizationInside Southwest DetroitSeptember 30, 2014usocc, southwest detroit, swdetroit, houseofmarley, 64impala, lowrider, lowriders, young nation, elsmereComment

Clay at Open Studios

Mary Luevanos leads Open Studio in week two of getting comfortable working with clay. Parents, youth, and elders took turns talking to amongst themselves and with each other in the garage, alley, and lots.

OrganizationInside Southwest DetroitAugust 22, 2014maryluevanos, studioluevanos, tap232, southwest detroit, swdetroit, thealleyproject, openstudio, detroitComment

Neighbors in the Neighborhood

Neighbors enjoy time together at TAP now that the long winter finally seems to have left us.

OrganizationInside Southwest DetroitApril 23, 2014thealleyproject, swdetroit, southwest detroit, neighbors, hyper-localComment

Intense Creative Demo

Yesterday the most (environmentally) problematic empty home on Falcon/Avis at #TheAlleyProject came down. This was following an intensive creative demo where as much as possible was salvaged from the home for use by others. Kobe Solomon’s skull tips… — Yesterday the most (environmentally) problematic empty home on Falcon/Avis at #TheAlleyProject came down. This was following an intensive creative demo where as much as possible was salvaged from the home for use by others. Kobe Solomon’s skull tips it hat to the rubble where the house stood the day before. #SWDetroit

OrganizationInside Southwest DetroitNovember 26, 2013thealleyproject, swdetroit, southwest detroit, kobe solomon, detroit, demolition, street art, graffiti, graf, alleyComment

5Pointz in Queens, NY Provides Inspiration for TAP

In 2010 iSWD/TAP visited 5Pointz in Queens, NY in support of the development of The Alley Project. Here’s a few photos from the visit.

OrganizationInside Southwest DetroitNovember 23, 20135pointz, queens, queens ny, detroit, thealleyproject, swdetroit, graffiti, graf, paint, aerosol, rip5pointzComment

Identifying "issues" on Avis and Elsmere Lot and Celebration

Things are coming together at the corner of Avis and Elsmere. We were able to embrace some of the “issues” on the lot by researching, labeling, and highlighting naturally growing plants on site. Lots of work to do still. There’s people on site now if you want to check in or help. Today we’re having a mini-celebration to invite people in to check out what’s been going on. Pumpkins, pumpkin painting, snacks, and more… bring the kids.

OrganizationInside Southwest DetroitOctober 26, 2013thealleyproject, swdetroit, southwest detroit, community engagement, university of detroit mercy, udm, udmsoaComment

Mary Luevanos of CLAVE Honored

NEIGHBORHOOD HONOREE: Mary Luevanos of CLAVE will be honored by the NFL for doing something she loves: creating art with youth and families! If you have a chance please watch the Lions pregame show today… she will be featured at the The Alley Project where she holds Friday evening workshops for youth. She’s getting interviewed on the sidelines now for Channel 7.

Tune in!!

OrganizationInside Southwest DetroitSeptember 29, 2013mary luevanos, swdetroit, detroitlions, hispanicheritagemonth, southwest detroit, thealleyprojectComment

Sacramento Knoxx Introduces the Power of Video to Youth Community

Sacramento Knoxx introducing community youth and elders to the power and potential of video as a form of media. We’re learning some history, some tips, and seeing his work. Here you see the group soaking up his words, “Hip Hop culture is all about making something out of nothing.”

OrganizationInside Southwest DetroitAugust 20, 2013sacramentoknoxx, thealleyproject, swdetroit, southwest detroit, seeshootshareswdetroit, seeshootshare, raizupComment