BE PART OF THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY AT 555

June & July

Thanks to the overwhelming support from the community and the work of Erik Howard, Young Nation, and Expressions The Alley Project is moving forward.

Through a community selection process that ended with a vote at Compas on Vernor and Lawndale, The Alley Project (TAP) Gallery was chosen to receive this year's C+PAD funding of $38,000!  This is in addition to the time, passion, and skills valued at over $60,000 of in-kind donations from our partners, neighbors, and participants that has made the project the kind of creative, community-supported project that it is.

We'll keep you posted on new information and future meeting dates as well as on the participatory design process that will lead the design of the physical aspects of the project.  For now feel free to check out and join the:

 TAP (The Alley Project) Gallery Fanpage on Facebook!!  

For 555 this is an amazing opportunity as a collaborating partner through TAP to further our mission and support community as it pushes the boundaries of the definition of "gallery".  Moving art into a more accessible public sphere, such as a garage or alley, offers an opportunity for real community corporate ownership and a more authentic relationship between the arts and community than traditional gallery settings can offer.  Through TAP activities and the production of the Walking Gallery, community does not have to enter into a traditional gallery space to engage with the arts, which can seem exclusive and elite from the outside. Instead, by engaging in the arts within a familiar context that is "home", we hope TAP serves as a bridge by which community members feel more comfortable to enter 555 and other galleries and arts environments and utilize the resources available.

Expodium in Detroit

The purpose of this exchange is to facilitate and create long-term collaborations in Detroit. Within these collaborations, information and knowledge can be shared and  exchanged on urban models, shrinkage and social, political and artistic developments in areas which are subject to shrinkage. In addition, support for the redevelopment of the city and in particular the cultural sector and the vitality it provides for Detroit.

This summer the exchange will begin with two artists, Joao Evangelista of Portugal and Nikos Doulos of Greece,who will be working in Detroit for two months. This visit serves as a pilot for a longer residency program.  Expodium, 555 and The Yes Farm will be organizing meetings for organizations and initiatives in Detroit who are actively involved in art and the urban situation in and effort to help Nikos and Joao obtain a clear picture of all activities in Detroit in the fields of art, society and the urban condition.

Banksy back at 555

The Banksy piece known as "I Remember" has returned to 555 and is now on display in the gallery.  The piece has been stabilized with a steel frame and can be seen during gallery hours Wed-Saturday 12-5pm absolutely free.  

• Detroit Free Press May 22, 2010-Graffiti artist Banksy leaves mark on Detroit and ignites firestorm
• Detroit Free Press May 29, 2010- Gallery that took Banksy mural puts it in hiding
• Detroit Free Press May 29, 2010- Who really owns the Banksy mural?