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.
Its safe! We checked and Sterno recommends this as part of a recipe for “Smores Indoors”. We did it outside though. :)
Thanks to everyone for stopping by and participating in our Deck Design series! Talk to you all soon. Also, feel free to stop by for Open Studio tomorrow between 6-8p.
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.
Paul and Nyasia are spending Sunday afternoons at TAP. The garage is open between 3-5p and Paul is working all up and down The Alley throughout the earlier part of the day. Today… Brushes 101.
Had a BEAUTIFUL day at Open Studio today! Freddy came by to paint, Joyce tended to the gardens along the alley, Mary was inside the garage making smores, young participants put in work, TAP friends of old came through and even showed their younger siblings around, and peer-to-peer mentoring and positive youth-adult relationships were happening. Come out next week and be a part of TAP! Hope to see you all soon.
We were honored to host Grandmont Rosedale’s youth summer program a couple weeks ago at The Alley Project! We would love to have any or all of you back at any time. Stop by and say hello during an Open Studio on Friday’s from 6-8p. Thanks for your interest and hope to see you all soon.
Neighbors enjoy time together at TAP now that the long winter finally seems to have left us.
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
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.
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.
Via de Los Muertos, or Way of the Dead, is really starting to take shape! Its a sprawling memorial for neighbors’ loved ones who have passed that appears through The Alley. Come check out its installation on Friday’s during Open Studio from 3-7p.
Here are some calaveras that the young people made last week at #TheAlleyProject’s Open Studio with Mary Luevanos in preparation for #DiaDeLosMuertos. #SWDetroit
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!!
Students from University of Detroit Mercy’s School of Architecture present their design ideas for critique at the #TheAlleyProject. #SWDetroit
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.”
Today was another exciting day at TAP. We had smaller, tighter groups this week than last. This always lends itself to more intense one on one and mentoring. Thanks MUCH to the artists who came out today and lent a piece of themselves toward the development of people and places at TAP! You’re so appreciated! Paul Mungar, Mary A. Luevanos, J. Paul Krystyniak
Detroit Lives! and DC3 Present Speakers Bureau: The Alley Project
The Alley Project is a neighborhood initiative in SW Detroit nurturing creative re-development of space. The Alley Project was also a part of the fist inaugural Detroit Design Festival.
For more information on the Speakers Bureau: detroitc3.com/speakersbureau
Content produced by DETROIT LIVES!: detroitlives.com
OPEN STUDIO: PUTTING THE LUEVANOS IN STUDIO LUEVANOS
Our recent Friday evening Open Studio’s have been electric! In May Open Studio times were moved from Saturday afternoons to Friday evenings from 5-7. This move was to better accommodate access for neighbors and local youth. Additionally Mary Luevanos, Studio Luevanos’ namesake, was added as a weekly facilitator of activities during this time. These adjustments have been received beautifully by neighbors, youth, and artists. Involvement by all three groups has increased as a result.
Mary Luevanos, a local artist and community activist, has lived in worked in Southwest Detroit for decades. In particular her skills in storytelling and facilitation of creative processes are widely appreciated and acknowledged by local families, youth, and peers. Her dedication to craft and commitment to advocacy for many younger generations’ artists and leaders have enabled Mary to serve as an inspirational force in Southwest Detroit. A core group of younger children is forming at TAP as activities in screen printing, puppet making, tie dying, instruments, storytelling, and painting have occurred over the past several weeks. TAP is privileged to have access to Mary’s brand of creativity during her time at Open Studio. We invite you to enjoy Friday evenings with Mary with your family, children, and friends at The Alley Project.
