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D:hive Announces Pilot Winner, Bringing Art BusinessDowntown

DETROIT (WWJ) -- D:hive announced Friday the winner of their Pilot program, awarding two months of free retail space to Brandon Colvin of CANVASxDetroit.

CANVASxDetroit is an exploratory art business providing classes and art-based entertainment.

Colvin will receive two months of free rental space at 1249 Woodward Ave., along with marketing and build out support for the space.

"We're excited to bring additional art and entertainment to the city," said April Boyle, Director of Small Business Initiatives for D:hive Detroit. "CANVASxDetroit follows a business model that's proven successful in neighboring areas, and will help enhance our art community in the city."

CANVASxDetroit will be open for business Aug. 12 to Oct. 5. The pop-up will offer guided and open paint sessions for groups and individuals providing music, prominent art instructors, and other art-focused events. It will also include Free Paint Sessions where individuals can rent out the space and equipment for a flat fee.

"We're excited to be here in Detroit because there is a long legacy of art appreciation in the city and our aim at CANVASxDetroit is to be another positive vehicle for the city to creatively express itself," said Colvin. "We want to remind the people of Detroit not to take their art for granted. And we invite them to come create with us at CANVASxDetroit."

Brandon Colvin, founder of CANVASxDetroit, has more than 10 years of strategic marketing and business experience. Colvin has been practicing art for over 25 years. Colvin also has significant experience in educational instruction to both adults and youth working at the YMCA and studying pedagogy as a Ronald E. McNair Scholar and UNCF Mellon-Mays Undergraduate Fellow.

Pilot was developed by D:hive Detroit and Opportunity Detroit to spur retail business growth in the city. For more information on Pilot, visit http://dhivedetroit.org/pilot/.

D:hive is designed to welcome new recruits and assist existing innovators in the city, in order to grow and keep more talent in Detroit. Its storefront Welcome Center provides individuals with information, connections and key tools they need to live, work and engage in the city. D:hive is located in the heart of downtown Detroit, at 1253 Woodward Ave. D:hive is a project of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, with support from the Hudson-Webber Foundation, Quicken Loans and Rock Ventures, Model D Media, the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. and others.

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