DETROIT, MI- Area graffiti and fine artists have come together to revitalize Grand River Avenue with their paintings and street art as part of a two-and-half week-long volunteer clean-up of the neighborhood between Rosa Parks Boulevard and Warren Avenue. Derek Weaver, a realestate executive and managing director of 4731, has organized the project with Detroit graffitiartist Sintex.
The project called the Grand River Creative Corridor will involve: painting murals on 15 buildings; an outdoor art gallery at a bus stop; a clean-up of overgrown vegetation, trash, and vandalism; and serve as an economic stimulus project for local businesses. Business owners along Grand River have agreed the installation of artwork reflecting their line of business will serve a dual purpose of increasing their exposure and beautifying the neighborhood.
Volunteers include participants of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit program and neighborhood residents and organizations. Rental Clean USA of Lincoln Park has organized a team of lawn mowers and weed-whippers. Phil Cooley, owner of Slow’s Bar-B-Q and Slows- To-Go has donated his scissor-lift to reach 2 and 3 story buildings.
The Detroit Hardware Company has supplied exterior paint at wholesale pricing and 323 East Gallery of Royal Oak has given substantial discounts on artist’s paint. The team of volunteer artists include: Sintex, Sydney G. James, Kosek, Kobie Solomon, Christopher Batten, Iges, Ramen, Malt BrownBagDetroit, Clifton Perry, Tead, Sham, Lamar Landers, Patrick Mills, Halima Cassells, Fel3000ft, and Alonzo Edwards. Sydney G. James, founder of the Gallery at Conant Gardens, is organizing the installation of an outdoor art gallery which will feature 13 installations on 4×8 foot plywood. All of the artists are Detroitbased and many are graduates of the College of Creative Studies. Sue Mosey of Midtown Detroit, Inc. has provided funding through the Colin Hubbell Fund. Additional donors include Financial Partners, LLC of Commerce Township and Weaver himself.
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