Marigold Project
Richard Gage Design Studio and ANHELO ANHELO have teamed up to organize a community based art endeavor, the Marigold Project.
In October thousands of golden blooms will illuminate an empty lot in downtown Hazel Park. Richard Gage Design Studio and anhelo anhelo, two local businesses, and the West End Hazel Park Business Coalition have come together to build a community-wide project that will culminate in an immersive public art installation.
Since the Marigold Project took root in May, the community project has grown to include two hundred residents throughout metro Detroit, farms and community gardens, local businesses and schools in Hazel Park. Each has sowed and nurtured marigolds for the past few months. We are now calling on this community to harvest the marigold flowers and bring the fruit of this collective process to build something larger together.
Bring your blooms!
“As Covid-19 started really wearing on people, the joy of planting flowers and getting out and about and doing something started taking precedence,” said Richard Gage, owner of Hazel Park-based Richard Gage Design Studio. “This project offers each participant the pride of ownership, in the final piece. What I like about it is that it is broad, and intentionally slow. We have no choice but extreme patience and perseverance right now.” says Alexandra Virginia Martin, founder of Detroit-based anhelo anhelo.
The Marigold Project’s culminating installation will take place the weekend of this 23rd of October 2020. We will be collecting blooms during the week prior.
ALEXANDRA VIRGINIA MARTIN B E N E F I T I N G : ANHELO ANHELO
is a sole-proprietorship founded in 2018 that serves as a resource for artists working outside the traditional gallery context, offering production assistance and editioning limited publications. anhelo anhelo is run and funded by its founder, alexandra virginia martin, a Detroit-based sculptor/fabricator.
anhelo anhelo is raising funds to seed future endeavors and help cover costs of the Marigold Project publication we’re currently producing. It is a handmade art-book with a collective theme, gathered from an open call for submissions. Contributors and editors to the publication are paid because we believe artists should be compensated for their work.
RICHARD GAGE DESIGN STUDIO B E N E F I T I N G : JARDON VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
is a space for sculptural and architectural fabrication and community projects, that has called Hazel Park its home for more than 20 years.
RGDS is raising funds for Jardon Vocational School. The culmination of the Marigold Project will kick off with a Gala, proceeds from which will go to Jardon Vocational School. RGDS has a history of coordinating events that bring local businesses and community together, and support local institutions. This past March RGDS hosted the WEHP Garden Tool Sharpening Event which offered free sharpening and repair to Hazel Park residents and fundraised for Jardon.
Dr. Amy Kruppe introduces Jardon Vocational School Jardon Joins the Marigold Project
Tickets
Tickets are free with a suggested donation to Jardon School or the Marigold Project Publication.
The installation is outdoors, accessible, and the event will accommodate social distancing measures.
Admission is timed to ensure all viewers have a unique and safe experience.
We will be doing touch-free body temperature scans and keep contact information for contact tracing during this event as a safety precaution. Masks are required for entry and will be available.
Student Opening
From 12-3 pm on Friday, 23rd October 2020
The installation will be open to students of Jardon School, Hazel Park Schools, and their families. This is a kid and family friendly time slot.
If you are an elementary to high-school student at a different school in Detroit this is also the ticket for you.
GALA
5-10 pm Friday 23rd October
Fall abundance farmer’s market, featuring Rivendell Gardens and Deeply Rooted Produce. Wine tasting to benefit Jardon School. We Juice LLC, selling their raw juices, marigold teas and smoothies. Raffle of gardening supplies to benefit Jardon School.
Registration at Ideation Orange, 420 W 9 Mile Road in Hazel Park. Docents will escort visitors to the installation during their booked time slot. Any parties wishing to reserve tickets at the door will wait until the next available time slot.
Public Opening
10am-10pm Saturday 24th October
Visitors will arrive directly to the art installation, located next to Richard Gage Design Studio, 425 W 9 Mile Road in Hazel Park (in the open lot between 407 and 425 W 9 Mile Road). An attendant will register visitors into a waiting area before their viewing time. There will be safely distanced outdoor seating. Any parties wishing to reserve tickets at the door will wait until the next available time slot.
Sponsors
WEHP Business Coalition
Jardon Vocational School
A fixture in Hazel Park for several decades, Jardon School provides life-skills to challenged students post-high school. We are excited to have Jardon with us in the Marigold Project. Staff and Students will be growing Marigolds in outdoor school beds and at their homes with support from their teachers this summer and fall.