Image of courtesy Detroit Artists Market
Detroit Artists Market is devastated after a burst pipe flooded its gallery for several hours, causing significant damage to the building’s infrastructure. While the water was clean and not contaminated, the extent of the destruction has left the organization uncertain about when it can safely reopen. Fortunately, artwork from the gift shop, storage, and the upcoming Dope Women in Media exhibition initially set to open on January 24, 2025 remained largely unharmed.
Detroit Artists Market is heartbroken to announce that our building has sustained severe flood damage due to a burst pipe. Freshwater flowed into the gallery for several hours, and while this was not a sewage or contaminated water incident, the damage to our infrastructure is significant. As a result, we are uncertain about when we will be able to safely reopen to the public.
Image courtesy of Detroit Artists Market
Miah J. Davis, Executive Director, emphasized, this flood has been devastating for her team and the countless artists who rely on DAM as a space to show and sell their work.
“While the damage to our space is extensive, I am deeply grateful that artwork loss was minimal,” Davis said.
“We’ve faced challenges before, and with the resilience of our community, we’ll overcome this one, too. We are committed to finding a way to continue serving the artists and community we’ve supported for the last 93 years, and we’re calling on those who believe in our mission to help us rebuild.”
Davis highlighted while the safety of the community and the preservation of art remain the highest priorities, the road to recovery will be long. They are calling on the community of supporters to help during this challenging time.
Here’s how you can make a difference:
- Monetary Support: Your contribution will help us raise $35,000 to cover immediate needs, including temporary facility rentals, offsite exhibition planning and installation, and to help offset business losses.
- In-kind Support: Donations of goods or services – such as exhibition and office furniture, installation tools, or technology – will help us recover more quickly and reduce costs.
- Help Us Find a Space: If you know of a building or property in Detroit that could serve as a temporary home for DAM’s 2025 exhibitions and programs, we’d love to connect.
- Spread the Word: Share our story with your networks to help us identify potential financial support or space opportunities.
This flood disrupted the year-long planning that goes into DAM’s exhibitions, directly affecting curators and the artists who were looking forward to showcasing their work this year. Exhibitions like Dope Women in Media, Girlhood, and the Detroit Artists Market Annual Scholarship Exhibition are now at risk. This calls for the urgent need for a stable and reliable temporary space where they can honor these commitments to these artists and community.
DAM has been an important part of the city’s creative community for 93 years. This recent flood has put the resilience to the test, but it has also shown how strong the community is.
Donate today to help us rebuild: https://www.mightycause.com/story/1hrr0g
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