Detroit Dumping Grounds Transformed Into First-Rate Art Space
DETROIT (WWJ) - The Fisher Canyon in Detroit's New Center area was a spot that was once overrun with trash and wild dogs. But today, it's shaping up to be a first-rate urban art installation.
WWJ Newsradio 950's Marie Osborne has more on the journey between trash and treasure.
"There was probably more wild dogs than there were people," said Rachel Klegon, the director of Green Living Science, describing the Lincoln Street Art Park, an area off Trumbull near Holden.
"We wanted to clean up the alley and see what would happen, and then once we started putting art here, people started showing up," she said. "There's a lot of space here and inspiration for creativity. This has also been an area where artists get large spaces to try something that they've never done before."
Local artists took over, transforming the area with bright murals and sculptures that are more than meets the eye.
"You might not realize the uniqueness or what's special about this place, and you really do kind of have to look closely to realize that the raised bed sitting there is actually made out of phone books," Klegon said. "The giant dinosaur is actually made out of car parts that have been paper mached (sic), or that the bird's nest in the back has violin and guitar strings weaved in it."
Klegon said the area is a little rough around the edges, but if you make the trip, you'll discover something totally unique.
"We actually get people from all over the country who come to see the recycling center because of the art," she said. "People come here on Sunday, on a regular basis, to have brunches."
It's not all for recreation either -- local schools are making educational trips to the Art Park and nearby recycling center.
"We have Uncle Frank, a giant plastic dinosaur that's made out of trash. So, when we bring students here on field trips, they get to identify all the things that they see," she said.
And If you don't like the art that's there right now, Klegon said don't worry.
"There will be art there today that won't be there tomorrow or it won't be there in two months, but there will be something new," she said.
