Day Trip in the D: AvanteGardeArt Route
Detroit. New Center. Midtown. Downtown. This cross section of Detroit exposes you to the diverse and unique galleries comprising Detroit's vibrant visual arts scene.AvantGardeArt
GR N'Namdi Gallery
the route.
Start in New Center, namely West Grand Blvd. and Second Ave.
After spending an hour in New Center, head to Midtown. To do so, take Lothrop west to Third Street. Turn on Third Street and head south, one block, to W. Grand Blvd. Turn on the Blvd., heading east to Cass Ave. Turn on Cass Ave., heading south about 13 blocks to Willis. Turn right on Willis to Avalon.
After the Cass Corridor breakout, head back north on Cass to Forest. Take a Forest east to the Market in the ARC.
After stopping at the Market in the ARC, head east to Woodward. Take Woodward south, towards downtown, until you reach the Majestic Complex. Find a spot to parallel park on the Majestic block.
To head to the Financial District, take Woodward 18 blocks south to Congress. Take Congress west and park in any parallel spot.
why not try?
G.R. N'Namdi Gallery. Located at 66 E. Forest, the gallery has been setting the standard in the world's art scene for over 25 years. Having established itself as a national leader in art dealing, G.R. N'Namdi Gallery is home to original works by world’s brightest artistic talent, all displayed in a raw, industrial warehouse space. Click here to experience the gallery and check for gallery hours and exhibitions.- Point of Departure - West Grand Blvd and Second Ave (3011 W. Grand Blvd). Take Second Ave. north to Lothrop. Take a left on Lothrop to park. Plenty of meter space is available in the immediate vicinity.
- New Center Breakout - Grand Blvd. at Second Ave (3011 W. Grand Blvd). Start the day with a peak in the world's largest work of art, the Fisher Building. Upon entering the building, check out the vaulted barrel ceiling. Over 60 nude figures are painted on the ceiling. Other adornments include the profuse use of gold leafing. Be sure to check out the Detroit Gallery of Contemporary Crafts, Pure Detroit Art and the Poster Gallery while you're in the structure. All have an awesome and diverse array of works by Detroit artists. Cost: free. Suggested time: 1 hour. Stores open at 10 pm and are open until 6 pm.
- Cass Corridor Breakout - Cass at Willis (422 W. Willis). Park in front of Avalon Bakery, on Willis west of Cass. Stop in the bakery and get a cup of fair trade coffee while enjoying an organic, fresh baked pastry. Head down Willis to Spiral Collective, a unique consortium of businesses including Dell Pryor Gallery and Source Booksellers. Ask Janet at the Source for that perfect book about Detroit. Check out the vibrant works of art at Dell Pryor. For a real treat, head North on Cass to Forest. Take Forest east to Woodward. Park along Forest and check out the Market in the ARC, Detroit's most vibrant and energetic gallery. Cost: $6.00/person for coffee (+) sweets. Suggested time: 1 hour.
- Majestic Breakout - Woodward at Alexandrine (4142 Woodward). Once on Woodward, take it to Alexandrine. Park at a meter on Woodward, in front of or across from the Majestic Complex. Check out C-Pop Gallery, a new comer to the Detroit gallery scene with an emphasis on popular art. Think Andy Warhol meets Detroit style. With a commitment to music poster artists and music posters, C-Pop will be sure to impress. After visiting the gallery, take a trip up to Young Rebel Soul Records and check out their awesome garage rock collection of CD's and records. Getting hungry, stop at the Majestic Cafe for a healthy and tasty gourmet lunch. Want bar food or traditional American fare with a southern twist, trot across the street Union Street (4145 WoodWard). Want a taste of Detroit-style pizza, head to Sgt. Pepperoni's, next to the Majestic Cafe. Cost: $10.00 to $20.00/person for lunch. Suggested time: 2 hours.
- Financial District Breakout - Woodward at Congress. Park in a meter on Congress. Head in the Guardian Building (500 Griswold), Detroit's second largest work of art. Note the awesome tile work, the travertine floors and walls, the mural of Michigan industry and the funky shops. Visit the Pewabic Pottery Gallery for a display of Detroit's own Pewabic Tiles. Check out Esteban Chavez's "Top Ten," a unique collection of photographs of Detroit architecture and skyscrapers. Get an Italian soda at the Rowland Cafe, named for the architect who designed the Guardian Building. After this mini-tour, head back to Congress Street to check out some Detroit fashion at Pure Detroit Design Lab (156 W. Congress). Home to Detroit's most cutting edge fashion designers, the Design Lab is the place for avant-garde threads. Cost: $3.00/person for Italian Soda. Suggested time: 1.5 hours.
- Xtra Time? - Detroit's neighborhoods are living works of art. Take Jefferson east 3 miles to Seminole Street. Take a left on Seminole and you're in the heart of Indian Village, a national historic landmark. The former home of Harvey Earl, members of the Ford family, the Book Brothers, noted architect Louis Kamper and many other dignitaries, this neighborhood contains an eclectic array of architecture styles, expressions and moods. Park your car and walk around. Don't forget to bring a camera. Cost: free. Suggested time: 2 hours.
- It's all about us. The World is Coming. Get in the Game.
Spiral Collective
Market in the ARC
C-Pop Gallery
Guardian Lobby
Pure Detroit Design Lab
the inside scoop.
Cass Cafe. Part restaurant, part gallery, part bar, one hundred percent real and one hundred percent Detroit. The food is made from scratch. The cost is reasonable. And, most importantly, the people who frequent the Cafe are the heart of Detroit. Click here to experience the Cafe.focus on.
Corktown. Where baseball crowds have been replaced by artists, musicians, urbanists and families. Drive up Michigan Ave. to Trumbull and get a taste of it. Numerous galleries, restaurants and pubs electrify the urban street scape. For unique finds, check out Izzy's Raw Art on Michigan Ave. For awesome sounds and cold brew, check out Lager House, also on Michigan Ave.
Corktown | Izzy's Raw Art
Corktown | Lager House