DETROIT – A community art installation being erected in Detroit’s North End helps visitors find beauty and inspiration in a most unusual spot.
It’s called American Riad. It’s purpose is as simple as it is complex. In short, a group of like-minded organizations joined by missions of social justice around the world have chosen the corner in Detroit to create beauty and community. It’s on Oakland Avenue and Euclid Street.
It’s construction of simple laser steel panels are knitted together with dedication and purpose, a crescent wrench -- nuts and bolts.
Keviyan Richardson is the on-site project manager. They are a local student artist. The installation is phase one of de-dilapidating the community, while also building community.
Nonprofits Ghan ThinkTank, Oakland Avenue Artists Coalition, Central Detroit Christian CDC, North End Woodward Community Organization, Affirming Love Ministries Church, SUNY purchase college and a host of various volunteers have been working on the installation for the last two years.
The installation is still under installation and doesn’t have a completion date because of COVID set backs, but even incomplete it’s completely stunning.