The inaugural Eco Artist Residency will seamlessly merge art and environmental education, spotlighting the Rouge River significance and advocating for community stewardship, drawing statewide attention to the park’s vital role in Detroit’s ecosystem
The residency will take place at Eliza Howell Park, situated in Brightmoor, one of Detroit’s most resilient, yet underserved communities, and aims to engage and empower the local community. It also seeks to foster environmental awareness about Detroit’s primary river system, the Rouge River, which runs through the park. This transformative project comprises five phases: 1) Commissioning and inviting an artist of color to the residency, 2) A collaborative river clean-up involving volunteers from across the metro Detroit region, 3) Material preparation and art creation using upcycled trash harvested from the river, 4) River health education in conjunction with local environmental justice organizations, 5) A public art installation unveiling as its culmination.
