647. M Contemporary Art – August 5, 2023 – Ferndale, MI

Take in exquisite artistic expression at M Contemporary Art!

The Ferndale-based art gallery features exhibitions by local artists. The exhibit Act Natural was on display when I visited last August; it showcased portrait paintings by two Detroit artists, Kaleigh Blevins and Cailyn Dawson.

I don’t visit art galleries and museum enough; when I do, the art moves me every time. My visit to M Contemporary Art reminded me of the profundity and respite that art brings to this too cruel, often mundane world. Thanks, M Contemporary Art (and Kaleigh and Cailyn), for making this day a meaningful one for me!

205 E. 9 Mile Rd.

Ferndale, MI 48220

www.mcontemporaryart.com

624. Black Box – April 8, 2023 – Dearborn, MI

Black Box = a profusion of caffeine and creativity!

The Dearborn-based business is a coffee house, gallery, and shop all rolled into one. It sells coffee, tea, and espresso drinks; goods by local makers (including candles from Detroit Rose); and featured art, via regular exhibits.

The exhibition on display during my visit to Black Box showcased the work of two friends and Dearborn natives, Beth-Rinna Brown and Jeff Renaud. I enjoyed immersing myself in their work as I sipped a cappuccino and strolled about the shop, taking in stunningly realistic still lives and abstracts with gorgeous explosions of color.

Black Box consists of two rooms. The front room contains the barista counter, shop area, and a portion of the featured art exhibit; the back room is devoted solely to the art. Benches provide seating, but there aren’t the tables found in traditional coffee shops. Surface space is instead provided by long counters where guests can cluster and enjoy their drinks – the standing version of communal tables.

Black Box’s coffee menu includes favorites such as nitro cold brew, affogato, and lattes; the latter category features varieties such as lavender, mocha, and matcha. Enticing baked goods are made in house: cookies, cakes, and scones in flavors such as lemon blueberry ricotta and rose cardamom pistachio. With so much goodness to enjoy, there’s more than enough reason to visit this gem of a place!

1034 Monroe St.

Dearborn, MI 48124

www.blackboxdearborn.com

622. Playground Detroit – April 5, 2023 – Detroit, MI

Playground Detroit is a magical place! One that fosters creative expression, sparks a feeling of possibility, clears your chakras.

“Clears your chakras???” you may be asking, quizzically. Why, yes! Chakra-clearing was in full force during my April visit to this Detroit-based art gallery and creative talent agency that manages artists, facilitates art sales and commissions, and proffers additional promotion-related services.

Playground Detroit regularly hosts exhibits featuring the work of local artists. Additional events held at the gallery include artist’s talks, book signings, and classes such as the yoga class I was there to take (where that chakra-clearing commenced).

The Journey Through Chakras yoga class was taught by Samantha Jameson and DJ’ed by Peter Croce. And it was FANTASTIC. It was held in conjunction with the exhibit on display at that time at Playground Detroit: local artist Zoe Beaudry’s And And And And, a collection of portraits painted in a realistic style, gorgeous and soulful, vulnerable and infused with light. Light radiated not only from the shading captured in the portraits, but also literal light bulbs – tiny sparks of light inserted into many of the paintings, with some representing chakra points such as the crown and throat.

What ambiance for a yoga practice. And to think I almost didn’t go to this class!

I was in the midst of intense life stuff at this time and because of that, pondered skipping the Journey Through Chakras class. My dithering about attending meant that I was the last person to show up, a few minutes before the class started. The gallery hosted a full house, which meant that I practiced with my head right near the front door. But man, when the lights went down and the music started playing, and Samantha began the practice, starting with sun salutations and sprinklings of water likely infused with essential oils and good vibes (the hippie version of a priest sprinkling holy water during mass), was I SO glad I came!

This class was exactly what I needed: to be in community, raise my energy, and release what wasn’t serving me via moving, stretching, and meditation. To be surrounded by beautiful art, in the darkened space dimly lit by blue lighting, with music vibrating through the air and our bodies, and the collective energy of high-vibing humans – that was super special.

I left that yoga class and Playground Detroit, feeling lighter, more hopeful, and alive. That’s what the best art does: uplifts and inspires us. Thank you, Zoe, Samantha, Peter, and Playground Detroit, for uplifting and inspiring me when I really needed it!

2845 Gratiot Ave.

Detroit, MI 48207

www.playgrounddetroit.com

602. Dabls MBAD African Bead Museum – February 4, 2023 – Detroit, MI

Dabls MBAD African Bead Museum is an igniter! Visiting it sparks joy, inspiration, creativity, community.

The Detroit-based museum is many things. For starters, it’s a community-fostering and educational space for African Americans, a space for founder Olayami Dabls’ “community to understand the immense power of their African heritage,” as explained on its website.

The Our Story section of Dabls’ website gives a detailed backstory of the museum and its mission that’s wholly worth the read. It explains how Dabls went from working for 15 years at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History to build his museum “with the intention to use art for its original purpose in Africa. Instead of using art for entertainment or to make money, he uses art to stimulate emotional and cultural healing.”

While Dabls is a place for African Americans to connect with these aspects of its mission, it welcomes everyone. People of all racial and ethnic backgrounds travel from all over the globe to visit the museum, from far-flung locales such as Germany, the UK, Switzerland, and Gabon. International visitors are featured regularly on the museum’s Instagram account.

A trip to Dabls might start with a visit to its bead gallery. Selling beads that span the decades (some are hundreds of years old), it’s an absolute delight to browse – especially if you’re a crafter. Loose beads are for sale at all manner of price points, crafted from all manner of materials. But fully-formed necklaces are for sale, too.

In the gallery, ’80s-era ceramic beads mingle with beads carved from wood and bone; Lucite beads glisten like marbles. There are beads made from ebony wood and brass, from precious stones such as jade, carnelian, and amber – even 500-year-old hand-carved quartz beads (sold for $80 apiece on Dabls’ website). It’s a glorious site to behold, this bead shop: a kaleidoscope of colors, artisanship, and possibility.

I found a pretty strand of beads already fashioned into a necklace at Dabls’ bead gallery. Round, amber-colored beads streaked with black, they appear to be Lucite. The necklace has a ’70s vibe and regularly finds its way into my wardrobe rotation, making it well worth its $20 price tag.

Dabls himself was manning the shop the day of my visit and was kind enough to give me an overview of the beads housed there. He also gave me free rein to browse the art displayed on the grounds of the museum. It was cold and snowy on the day of my late-January visit, but I didn’t let that stop me from exploring!

That brings us to the art-installation component of Dabls. The 18 art installations on Dabls’ campus are stunning displays of color, texture, and creativity. They’re my favorite kind of art: found object. Scrap metal, wood, mop heads, a tractor: materials such as these meld together to form stunning displays, all artistically enhanced with brushstrokes and splatters of colorful paint.

One display toward the back of the campus is especially stunning. The exterior of the N’kisi House hosts a mural bursting with vibrant colors and textures. It’s an absolutely gorgeous site to behold.

The exterior of the bead gallery is no slouch, either. As you approach its entrance on Vinewood Street, your eyes will be dazzled by an abundance of art: gorgeous, rainbow-colored murals and found-object sculptures.

If you’re looking to experience such a dazzling, treat yourself to a trip to Dabls! Admission is free, though the museum does accept donations; see the Support the Expansion page of its website to donate and learn about its growth plans. I expect that growth will lead to further kindling of creativity!

6559 Grand River Ave.

Detroit, MI 48208

www.mbad.org

598. Pivot Maker Collective – December 30, 2022 – Detroit, MI

Snag yourself a statement find at Pivot Maker Collective! Support local artists in the process.

Pivot is an art gallery and shop in Detroit’s Cass Corridor neighborhood; it opened at the end of last year. I stumbled across it during a stroll through the neighborhood, after visits to Bon Bon Bon and Nora.

I wasn’t planning on buying anything when I stopped in; I was simply intrigued by a storefront I’d never seen before. But then I spotted this necklace. It was comprised of gleaming copper circles, linked together to form a triangle. It was gorgeous!

The artist who crafted the striking statement piece, Danny K. Dunbar, was working the shop that day. The copper circles were pennies, Danny explained. That was why Danny had dubbed the piece “changemail” – a punny name reflecting how the shiny, reworked pennies resembled chainmail.

Pivot held more of Danny’s beautiful pieces, plus work by other local artists: paintings and other wall art; candles; clothing; and more. Danny, the originator and organizer of Pivot, explained that the space would also act as a gallery, spotlighting different artists’ work. The first artist showcase happened in February, as Pivot hosted works of painter, sculptor, designer, and curator Uta Brauser.

I don’t know about you, but artist showcases are sounding like the exact antidote I need to cure my end-of-winter doldrums. That’s why I’m following Pivot’s Instagram account (pivotdetroit) so I’m up on the shop’s happenings!

4160 Cass Ave., Ste. B.

Detroit, MI 48201

576. Norwest Gallery of Art – August 27, 2022 – Detroit, MI

Experience beautiful, thought-provoking art at Norwest Gallery of Art!

The gallery based in the Rosedale Park neighborhood of Detroit features work by contemporary artists, many of them African and African-American. The exhibit on display the day of my visit was Pray for Us, a gorgeous collection of photos and video highlighting mothers and their connection to and influence on spirituality. Curated by Detroit-based artist Bre’Ann White, the exhibit included a reproduction of the living room of her mother, Edna, who recently died from cancer. What a poignant display of love and remembrance that was.

Norwest Gallery of Art is also the steward of Womxnhouse Detroit, an artists-residency program that supports BIPOC artists who identify as women or non-binary. The program’s artists display their work in an annual exhibit installed at Norwest owner Asia Hamilton’s childhood home. The second-annual Womxnhouse Detroit exhibit is on display through October 23; learn more about it and purchase tickets here. If it’s anything like last year’s exhibit, it’s sure to be a powerful experience. Do yourself a favor and go.

And do yourself a favor and visit Norwest Gallery of Art! The exhibit on display there as of the writing of this post, a collection by Jamar Lockhart titled In Living Color, appears to be full of beautiful, thought-provoking art, indeed.

19556 Grand River Ave.

Detroit, MI 48223

www.norwestgallery.com

525. Womxnhouse Detroit – October 2, 2021 – Detroit, MI

What a powerful place Womxnhouse Detroit is! The house at 15354 St. Marys Street in Detroit has been transformed into an exhibition space for the work of 14 female artists. From the bedrooms to the bathroom, the back porch to the front closet, the house bursts with thought-provoking, visually dazzling displays.

Womxnhouse Detroit was inspired by Womanhouse, the groundbreaking 1972 installation of feminist art by female artists curated by Judy Chicago and Miriam Schapiro, founders of CalArts’ Feminist Art Program.

The Womxnhouse Detroit exhibit was curated by local artists Asia Hamilton (who owns the Norwest Gallery of Art) and Laura Earle. I was fortunate to visit when both of them were there and to receive a tour of the exhibition from Laura. She walked me and the other women visiting at the time through each piece, explaining the inspiration for and symbolism of each. I’m grateful to Laura for taking the time to do this; it made the art that much more impactful, to have intimate knowledge of what went into creating it!

Womxnhouse Detroit launched in mid-September 2021. This weekend (October 30-31, 2021) is the last one to see the exhibit. Future plans for the house include an artist-in-residence program.

The photos above give a sneak-peek of the exhibit. The picture of the house’s front porch showcases a piece by Asia Hamilton called Fall in Love. It represents the fairy-tale version of love so pervasive in our society, especially in messaging intended for women and girls. THE AWAKENING (also by Hamilton), is a response to that piece. It resides on the back porch and is a portrayal of marriage many viewers will find to be a much more realistic one.

The second photo shown above, of the kitchen, is of a piece called Antepasados by Rosa María Zamarrón. It’s a beautifully immersive experience that showcases the kitchen as a sacred space, one where Rosa’s mother imparted family recipes – and thusly, elements of their Latin heritage. I was moved by this exhibit: by the vibrant warmth and intimacy of the details that make this kitchen a home – from the crimson and gold papers flowers festooning the ceiling to the sounds of Zamarrón’s mother talking and cooking (yes, there is an audio component!). It reminds me of times I practiced elements of my family’s culture with my beloved grandmother, when we made Italian cookies in her kitchen.

I could recount more of the art I experienced at Womxnhouse Detroit – art showcasing themes of grief and healing and abortion rights and the gender pay gap and forgotten women . . . and so much more. But my words would pale in comparison to the experience of witnessing it firsthand; the exhibit begs to be experienced. If you’re in the Detroit area this weekend and into art that’s both culturally significant and visually stunning, do yourself a favor and visit Womxnhouse Detroit! Admission to the exhibit is technically free, though donations are encouraged if you’re able to give. Proceeds from the exhibit will fund the artist’s residency.

I’m excited to see what art this incubator of creativity serves up next. Thank you, Womxnhouse Detroit, for being the facilitator of such magical experiences!

15354 St. Marys St.

Detroit, MI 48227

www.womxnhousedet.com

445. Detroit Shipping Company / Coop Caribbean Fusion – November 10, 2019 – Detroit, MI

The Detroit Shipping Company is a container for a lot of things: art galleries, live music, event space, bars, a food hall. There’s a place that sells coffee and ice cream (-320º Coffee and Creamery), a space that holds pop-up shops, a podcast studio, and plenty of outdoor seating (ah, patio weather!), including on a rooftop deck.

The 10,000-square-foot complex located at 474 Peterboro Street gets its name from the fact that it’s been constructed from metal shipping containers, which have been painted a striking metallic blue hue.

I visited Detroit Shipping Company on a Sunday afternoon in November. I went solo, a status I admittedly regretted upon walking into the food hall on the first floor of the building.

The place had the kind of atmosphere that begged to be shared with someone: lively, convivial, celebratory. Groups of family and friends clustered at the long wooden tables in the food hall, eating, drinking, and having a ball. I wanted to be there eating, drinking, and having a ball with my friends! But I decided to make the best of my solo time on that day, reminding myself that I could always do a revisit with pals.

Detroit Shipping Company’s food hall reminded me of a mall food court – except much hipper and with much more compelling offerings. Communal tables presided in the center, and a full bar and stalls staffed by local restauranteurs ringed the perimeter. A guitarist serenaded patrons from a second-floor balcony.

When checking out the foodstuffs offered at Detroit Shipping Company prior to my visit, I was immediately intrigued by the choices. There was a taco joint (Brujo Tacos and Tapas), a place that offered Thai cuisine (Bangkok 96 Street Food), a stand serving Nepalese dumplings (Momo Cha). And there was the stall from which I decided to eat: Coop Caribbean Fusion.

I was attracted to the restaurant’s flavorful-sounding food, specifically the Motor City Chicken Sandwich and Caribbean Fries. Those become my lunch!

After ordering that sandwich and fries at the Coop counter, I was given a buzzer that lit up and vibrated when my meal was ready.

Greeted by the sight of the open-face fried chicken sandwich nestled on a bed of Texas toast and slathered in barbecue sauce, bacon, cilantro, coleslaw, and aioli and French fries loaded with queso fresco cheese, Caribbean seasonings, cilantro, and cilantro-infused aioli, I was excited to dig in.

The meal was a flavor explosion! The barbecue sauce on Coop’s Motor City Chicken Sandwich was rich and flavorful, as was the coleslaw; its crispy chicken was juicy and tasty. And with their creamy queso fresco and zesty seasonings, the Caribbean Fries were the show-stealer of the meal for me, fried to an ideal crispness and loaded as they were with those luxurious toppings. Mmm mmm and MMM!

I’d planned to end my visit to Detroit Shipping Company with some ice cream from -320º Coffee and Creamery, but I was so stuffed from that decadent lunch from Coop that I opted to forego it. A return to this receptacle for ample food, drink, creativity, and community is in order, anyway; Detroit Shipping Company is the kind of place that entreats one to visit again and again – whether solo or with friends.

474 Peterboro St.

Detroit, MI 48201

www.detroitshippingcompany.com

www.coopdetroit.com

327. Trinosophes – May 10, 2018 – Detroit, MI

I have a new coffee-shop obsession, people: Trinosophes in the Eastern Market neighborhood of Detroit!

What a gorgeous space this place is: light and airy, with long communal tables, book-crammed shelves, and vibrant greenery. I instantly fell in love with its ambiance.

I also fell in love with the fact that it’s located right off of Gratiot Avenue and has its own parking lot (free, easily accessible parking in Detroit is EVERYTHING to me!).

This affection for Trinosophes was pretty much predestined, given my long-held infatuation with independent coffee shops. Reveling in the chill, escape-the-world vibes of a good coffee shop while my bloodstream revels in caffeine is one of my favorite pastimes.

While I savored Trinosophes’ soothing, welcoming aura, I also savored two of its brews: a richly flavored cappuccino and a sumptuous cardamom latte. At the end of my two-hour sojourn there, I was vibrating with caffeine-induced energy and contentment.

A portion of that goodwill I felt during my visit to Trinosophes was due to the barista on staff who served me. She was friendly and approachable, as was the 20-something female patron who perched at the other end of the communal table I was working at. We chatted a bit between typing away on our computers.

It felt good to be out in the world on a Thursday morning, connecting with people, feeling part of a little community. I know I simply spent a couple of hours in a coffee shop – I wasn’t forging a friendship circle – but Trinosophes does embody that friendship-fostering spirit that makes you feel that you could meet the next important person in your life there.

Perhaps Trinosophes emits that community-cultivating vibe because it’s more than a coffee shop. It’s also a café, offering enticing breakfast and lunch dishes, including vegan and gluten-free options, plus a performance and exhibition space that regularly hosts music performances, art exhibits, and other creative events. It bills itself as a library, too, boasting the collections of several impactful Detroiters on those book-crammed shelves.

Leaving the coffee shop/café/library/performance space on this May morning, I felt the magic of the almost-summer season in the vivid green grass and budding trees surrounding it – and the elation that comes with discovering a new place I love.

I knew I’d be back to Trinosophes, that it’d been filed away into my local-coffee-shop rotation, further fueling my obsession with quality caffeinated beverages and quiet, creativity-inducing places.

1464 Gratiot Ave.

Detroit, MI 48207

www.trinosophes.com