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Inclusive design has the power to shape cities, transforming public spaces into areas that reflect and serve the needs of diverse communities. In Detroit, a city rich in creativity and cultural history, the conversation around inclusive design is more critical than ever. Join us on Wednesday, September 18th, from 6-9 p.m. at the N'Namdi Center for Contemporary Art for an evening of dialogue, inspiration, and community as part of the official Detroit Month of Design programming.  As the first and only UNESCO City of Design in the United States, Detroit is a global hub of culture and creativity. The Detroit Month of Design festival brings this distinction to life, activating spaces all over the city with a variety of experiences. From exhibitions and installations to product launches, talks, tours, workshops, and parties, the festival showcases the incredible range of design innovation taking place throughout Detroit.
For Canfield Consortium, the discussion around inclusive design is deeply connected to our mission of restoring the neighborhood community experience in East Canfield Village. As a nonprofit committed to revitalizing our community through art and development, we believe that inclusive design plays a vital role in ensuring that public spaces are accessible, welcoming, and reflective of the diverse communities they serve. Art should not only beautify our neighborhoods but also unite and connect people from all walks of life. This event is an opportunity to engage with leaders who are helping to shape a more inclusive Detroit, a goal that aligns closely with our own efforts. At the N'Namdi Center, we will hear from a panel of Detroit leaders shaping the future of inclusive design: Ryan Myers-Johnson (Sidewalk Detroit), Sonya Mays (Develop Detroit), Daniel Washington (NW Goldberg Cares), and Kim Theus, co-founder of Canfield Consortium. As a key figure in Detroit’s inclusive design efforts, Kim Theus will share her insights on how public spaces can become more accessible and welcoming to all. "Inclusive design is about more than just aesthetics—it's about creating spaces that truly reflect and serve the diverse communities they inhabit. At Canfield Consortium, we believe that public spaces should be accessible, welcoming, and unifying. Through inclusive design, we can ensure that our neighborhoods not only look beautiful but also foster a sense of connection and belonging for all. This is essential for revitalizing communities like East Canfield Village and building a Detroit where everyone feels at home." —Kim Theus, Co-founder of Canfield Consortium In addition to an engaging discussion, attendees will enjoy a vibrant atmosphere with a live DJ, light bites, and drinks. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow design enthusiasts and contribute to an important dialogue about Detroit’s future. Mark your calendars for September 18th and join us at the N'Namdi Center for an unforgettable evening that promises to inspire and uplift. Let’s continue to build a Detroit where everyone feels welcome.
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Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Do you want to stay informed about upcoming events and initiatives? Are you eager to share your ideas and contribute to positive change? If so, we invite you to join us for the Canfield Consortium's monthly meetings. When: Every 4th Thursday of the month Where: Online via Zoom Zoom Link: Join Here Time: 6:00 PM  Why Attend? Our meetings are a fantastic opportunity for community members of all ages to come together, learn about what's happening in our neighborhood, and have a say in the projects and events that matter most to you. Stay Informed: Get the latest updates on community events, initiatives, and projects. From neighborhood clean-ups to cultural festivals, our meetings are your go-to source for all things Canfield. Voice Your Opinion: Have ideas to improve our community? Want to see more activities for youth or suggestions for new projects? This is your chance to share your thoughts and help shape the future of our neighborhood. Network with Neighbors: Connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for community engagement. Build relationships, collaborate on projects, and make new friends. Learn and Grow: Our meetings often feature guest speakers and presentations on various topics relevant to our community. Gain new insights, learn about local resources, and discover ways to get more involved. Convenience: With our meetings currently held online via Zoom, you can join from the comfort of your home. No need to travel – just click the link and you're in! Upcoming Meeting Dates: August 22, 2024 September 26, 2024 October 24, 2024 November 28, 2024 Mark your calendar for the 4th Thursday of every month and make plans to join us. Together, we can create a vibrant, connected, and thriving Canfield community. We look forward to seeing you there and hearing your valuable input. Exciting News: We’re thrilled to announce that the Canfield Consortium was recently featured on the Weather Channel in a segment titled "Clearing the Air with a Crown" The feature highlighted our efforts to combine art and functionality to benefit both our community and the environment. We are so grateful to have been featured alongside @Jordan_j_weber and the New Forest Ancient Thrones installation. We certainly believe that art that serves a functional purpose in non-traditional spaces is the kind of art that should be created in abundance. Videography by: @Slumdog_visionaire Music: @iksonmusic Check out the feature on our Instagram Borderculture: movement & connectivityWe had an incredible time at the Art-ology Exhibition on July 6th at the Grand Circus Park Station of the Detroit People Mover. The collaboration with @artologyorg and @detpeoplemover brought together 30 talented artists from Detroit and Windsor, showcasing the unique border culture, movement, connectivity, and the power of public art. The event was a fantastic opportunity to support local and international artists, enjoy good music, and indulge in delicious food. Your presence and enthusiasm made the exhibition truly special. A big thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the Art-ology Exhibition a success. Stay tuned for more events and opportunities to engage with our vibrant community.   Juneteenth is a crucial day of remembrance, acknowledgement, and reverence for the hard-fought battle against the institution of slavery. It commemorates both the end of the Civil War and the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which abolished slavery in all states. Though these historical events were major steps forward, the fight for justice and equality continues for the Black community. Juneteenth not only represents the battle won against slavery but also the Black community’s continued perseverance and grit. Yet, it was only in 2017 that the day was first recognized as a federal holiday. It is incredibly important to remember the American history that shapes our environment today, in order to combat the ignorance, hatred, and marginalization still prevalent all these years later. Join us in celebrating this sacred and profound holiday and continue the fight for equality and justice.  June also represents a month of courage and pride for the LGBTQ+ community. As an African American-run organization, Canfield Consortium prioritizes the support and upliftment of the Black and LGBTQ+ community. With the celebration of Juneteenth along with Pride Month, we pledge to recognize the talent within these communities and provide them with a platform for their voices and expression to be heard. We want to take time to highlight the artistic excellence of these community members. Starting off with V. V is an extremely multifaceted artist working out of both Detroit and New York. She is a painter, musician, and model who draws inspiration from revolutionary rock stars like David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix. Their artistry inspires her to be bold with her works and find power in abstraction. As a queer artist, she often feels that the message behind her work is overlooked because it is deemed inappropriate or uncomfortable without recognizing the depth behind each piece. She expresses frustration with pressures to make her art more palatable to the average viewer. Her experiences shape her work, though being queer is only one aspect of her identity. V is calling for more opportunities for queer artists to express themselves in an authentic manner. Her work can be found on Instagram @V_Rome.  Tristan Slade (known professionally as Fox) is a fine artist, furniture maker, and model based in Detroit. Fox finds the future of queer artists in Detroit hopeful as long as they continue to receive the exposure they deserve. He feels that the public needs to be exposed to all different types of queer artists with unique styles, pointing out that overly sexualized art pieces are not the only type of queer artworks. Sexuality does not solely dictate each artist’s style. Queer art has inherent complexity and individuality. Fox believes a major aspect of supporting queer art is giving the artists places and opportunities to sell their work, as many queer artists struggle to fund their projects. Fox is actively working on two projects that will be announced soon. His work can be found on Instagram @the_madfox.  Maya Mereaux is a multimedia artist and singer-songwriter from Detroit who finds pride in being a Black queer woman. She proudly describes her journey towards self-discovery as beautiful. Maya expresses herself through her art, which represents her experiences and identity. She believes the Detroit art scene holds promise for queer people and recommends greater community outreach to foster genuine connections within the community, which will enhance its impact. Maya’s work is showcased on Instagram @MayaMereaux, on YouTube @MayaMereaux, and on the Detroit Riverfront, where she often sells her art pieces.  Blight Hernandez is a painter, screenprinter, and seamstress. His clothing brand “Be the Light” creates sustainably-printed streetwear, along with one-of-a-kind clothing pieces and art prints. Being an artist with many different mediums, Blight draws inspiration from a diverse set of artists, ranging from Salvador Dali to Basquiat to Andy Warhol, as well as the creatives he meets daily running his business. Blight describes the queer art scene in Detroit as gaining momentum, attributing this to nonprofits that highlight their work by providing them a platform. He would love to see this momentum sustained with events, newsletters, and shows to create an active and vibrant community. His clothing brand, “Be the Light”, can be found at www.bethelight222.com, and his Instagram is @stay_within, where he frequently posts information about pop-up events.  REDD is a multimedia artist, curator, and co-founder of the artist collective "The Redd Chapter" in Detroit. REDD believes their queerness is a major factor in their constant creation. Their identity not only inspires their work but also serves as an escape from the loneliness they experience due to their outward queer identity. REDD advocates for greater acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community within Detroit, calling for deep moral and ideological reflection by the straight community to foster better understanding and acceptance. REDD emphasizes that the histories and standings of communities like LGBTQ+ and the Black community should not be condensed into one holiday or month but integrated directly into traditional learning and everyday life. REDD recently concluded a gallery show at the Congregation titled REDD SPECTACLE. More of their art can be found on Instagram and TikTok @redd.q.  Following REDD’s final point, both Juneteenth and Pride Month are times that call for celebrating hard work, resilience, and progress. However, these conversations should not be confined to just one day or month. These holidays offer crucial opportunities to encourage difficult yet necessary conversations. The battles against the marginalization of Black and Queer People must be fought every single day to create space for healing and to uplift the spirits within these communities for years to come.
“We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” — Martin Luther King Jr. Date: May 18, 2024 |
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