Discover Detroit Art

Closing Reception + Artist Talk: Dustin Cook on "Contours"
2025-02-01 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Detroit) | PLAYGROUND DETROIT Gallery, 2845 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48207, United States
Join Dustin Cook for his Closing Reception with an in-person conversation and Artist Talk about “Contours.” on the last day of his exhibit.

Join featured artist, Dustin Cook for his Closing Reception with an in-person conversation and Artist Talk about “Contours.”

Dustin Cook (b.1995) is an artist living and working in Detroit, Michigan. As an abstract artist, his work is a vibrant exploration of color, energy, and the interplay between form and atmosphere.

“My artistic process is driven by a playful and intuitive approach. Using bold, clean lines and geometric precision, I create compositions that dance with rhythmic vitality, inviting the viewer to immerse themselves in a world of dynamic abstraction.”

The shaped canvases in his solo exhibition, “Contours” redefine the traditional canvas, creating abstract pieces that are as much about the physical form as they are about the interplay of color and texture. Dustin Cook’s abstract paintings invite the viewer to find their own meaning within the interplay of color and form.

“Color plays a pivotal role in my work, acting as a conduit for expressing the rich and varied emotional qualities found in nature and the urban environment. I employ a vibrant palette that harmonizes contrasting hues, creating a sense of harmony and tension within the canvas. By harnessing the power of color, I aim to evoke the essence of different atmospheres, whether it be the tranquil serenity of a flowing river or the pulsating energy of a bustling cityscape.”

His art aims to evoke a sense of joy, wonder, and contemplation. I strive to create visual experiences that invite viewers into a realm where color, energy, and form coalesce, transcending the boundaries of the tangible world. Through the language of abstraction, he seeks to capture the dynamism of our surroundings, drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature, the boldness of architectural forms, and the pulsating energy of urban life.

This is the last day to view the exhibition in-person.

Art Night Detroit x Stu 202 Window Art
2025-02-19 20:00 - 2025-02-20 01:00 | The Russell Industrial Center
Come by Stu 202 for a evening of window art and hacker energy as we launch the new artnightdetroit.com website!

PLAYGROUND DETROIT Investment Open House X Honeycomb Credit
2025-02-20 18:00 - 20:00 | PLAYGROUND DETROIT Gallery, 2845 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48207, United States
Come join us for Open House where you can learn how to invest with Honeycomb Credit to raise capital for PLAYGROUND DETROIT!

Learn about PLAYGROUND DETROIT’s Vision for the Future

Join PLAYGROUND DETROIT on Thursday, February 20th at our gallery space! At this investment open house, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about PLAYGROUND DETROIT’s live investment offering on Honeycomb Credit.

Come learn more about PLAYGROUND DETROIT’s nationwide expansion plans, meet other local investors, and learn how you can become an investor for as little as $100.

Light appetizers will be provided. Space is limited, so make sure you RSVP to save your spot.
Doors open at 6PM!
Time: 6:00-8PM ESTDate: Thursday, February 20th 2025Location: PLAYGROUND DETROIT2845 Gratiot Ave. Detroit, MI 48207

Welcome to the PLAYGROUND DETROIT Investment Open House X Honeycomb Credit event!
Join us at the PLAYGROUND DETROIT Gallery on Thu Feb 20 2025 at 6:00 PM for an exciting evening of networking and learning about investment opportunities. Meet with representatives from Honeycomb Credit and discover how you can support local businesses while earning a return on your investment.
Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with like-minded individuals and make a positive impact in your community. See you there!

WE ARE RAISING FUNDS TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL ART FAIRS IN 2025!

There’s a buzz of activity at PLAYGROUND DETROIT, and we’re eager to share it with you. We’re shaping our next growth initiative, and here’s a small preview: To grow our business and elevate the careers of Detroit artists, we are planning to attend national art fairs starting in 2025!
This isn’t just about our growth; it’s about inviting you to be an integral part of our evolving story. We’ll be launching a community investment round where our customers and supports will have the opportunity to invest in PLAYGROUND DETROIT and the local art economy.
Community has always been the backbone of our business, and we wanted to offer an opportunity where our community can share in our future financial success. For as little as $100, you can invest in us.
Want join us?? Secure your spot by signing up now!

Art Night Detroit: Carnival Edition
2025-02-27 01:00 - 07:00 | Spot Lite, 2905 Beaufait, Detroit, MI, 48207
We’re back for another Art Night Detroit x @spotlitedetroit event! We’re celebrating the kick off of Carnival, celebrated all over the globe! We’ll be bringing the heat with Carnival themed art projects, DJ sets, themed cocktails*, and more!
Our musical lineup consists of @piggymctiggers with a special vinyl workshop, @cash.moneyrecords, @jasedagalore, @rapharazzi & @nathankarinen.
We’ll also have an interactive workshop from @hazelnut.helper and her art cart pop-up! Dressing up in a Carnival theme is encouraged! Also please bring an art project to work on, basic art supplies will be provided as always.
7:30PM-2:00AM with a $5 suggested donation at the door. Get ready to celebrate the launch of Carnival and our return to Spotlite! ❤️🎨🔊

#WeAreFashionRevolution Art Exhibition + Kick-Off Mixer
2025-04-22 17:00 - 20:00 | PLAYGROUND DETROIT Gallery, 2845 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48207, United States
Join us for a creative and thought-provoking evening as we kick off Fashion Revolution Week in Detroit!

Join us for a creative and thought-provoking evening as we kick off Fashion Revolution Week in Detroit!
This special mixer and art exhibition, #WeAreFashionRevolution, will showcase a curated collection of art inspired by responsible, upcycled, eco-concious fashion, featuring diverse interpretations of what the Fashion Revolution looks like and means in our Detroit community.
Hosted at the vibrant gallery, PLAYGROUND DETROIT, this event will bring together artists, activists, and fashion enthusiasts for an evening of conversation, connection, and celebration of a more responsible future for fashion. The exhibition will explore themes of slow fashion, ethical practices, and the role of art in sparking change in the fashion industry.
In addition to the exhibition, we are hosting a pop-up where some of the featured artists will be selling their other handmade creations beyond the art itself—perfect for those looking to support local makers and find unique items that align with the principles of conscious consumption.
Whether you’re passionate about making change in the fashion industry or simply looking to connect with like-minded individuals, this event is the perfect way to start Fashion Revolution Week Detroit.

Notes For Attendees:
What does Fashion Revolution mean to you? Come dressed in your best interpretation, showcasing your favorite garments- whether they were upcycled, made from scratch, swapped, or purchased!
The #WeAreFashionRevolution art exhibition will be available to view at PLAYGROUND Detroit through April 27th. Viewing hours will be Wednesday-Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm.
On Saturday and Sunday, we will host a Pop-up Market curated by eugenie of sustainable fashion designers.
Ticket purchase is only necessary for the kick-off mixer on April 22nd, from 5 pm to 8 pm.

Meet Your Host:
Hi, I’m Sierra! I work as a production assistant at an apparel manufacturer in downtown Detroit, and I’m also a freelance sustainable brand consultant. I’m excited to attend and host events that build connections with other sustainable fashion professionals and creatives!

Yoga Class: Reflection Movement with Lauren J. Williams
2025-07-17 20:00 - 21:00 | PLAYGROUND DETROIT Gallery, 2845 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48207, United States
Attend a slow yoga experience led by Lauren J. Williams and view Frank Lepkowski’s solo exhibition, “Endless Summer.”

Join us for a reflective yoga experience led by Lauren J. Williams, and view Frank Lepkowski’s solo exhibition, Endless Summer on Thursday, July 17th at 8PM at 2845 Gratiot Avenue.
Join Yoga Guide Lauren J. Williams for an evening of mindful movement at PLAYGROUND DETROIT. This practice is a journey of reflecting on the past month, integrating the lessons we’ve learned, and preparing for the new lunar cycle.
The class will include breathwork, beginner-friendly movement, and meditation. People of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds are welcome. Come prepared to embrace your shadow and integrate it to elevate your spirit. Whether you are a new or seasoned practitioner, this class is perfect for you.
RSVP to attend. Capacity is limited.
Bring your own yoga mat.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Lauren J. Williams is a yoga guide and professional ice skater with over a decade of experience who is passionate about social justice, inspiring creativity, and healing. She has spent years practicing yoga instruction in the Detroit community throughout various recreation centers, studios, and college campuses.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Endless Summer is Frank Lepkowski’s second solo exhibition with the gallery. His paintings are a reflection on how we freeze time. What begins as a digital image becomes transformed—romanticized and reimagined—until it’s no longer just a captured moment, but a memory distilled.

Endless Summer continues a deeply personal exploration into memory, media, and the act of image-making. His paintings are a reflection on how we freeze time: first through the immediacy of a smartphone photo, and then through the slow, interpretive act of painting. What begins as a digital image becomes transformed—embellished, romanticized, reimagined—until it’s no longer just a captured moment, but a memory distilled.
At the heart of his work is the tension between the fleeting nature of lived experience and the permanence we try to assign to it. The glossy, hyper-corrected digital photo becomes a metaphor for nostalgia itself—a polished, perfected version of a moment that may have been far more complex in reality. These paintings are not merely nostalgic; they interrogate nostalgia’s illusions.
They ask what it means to want a moment to last forever, and what we lose in that pursuit. As the title suggests, there’s a yearning—for an eternal beauty, an unbroken serenity, an endless summer—that digital life tempts us with, but ultimately cannot provide.
On View through July 19th2845 Gratiot AvenueDetroit, MI 48207
VIEWING HOURSThursday – Saturday, 12-5PM or By Appointment
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Frank Lepkowski is a Detroit-based artist whose practice bridges technology and human experience. Lepkowski creates custom software and interactive tools that rely on physical interaction, translating these digital experiments into layered, analog compositions. His work reflects the overload of the digital age, rendered through bold textures and saturated color.
His work has been commissioned publicly by Louis Vuitton, Takoi and Complex Media. He is a recipient of the 20/20 Emerging Artists Fellowship through Playground Detroit and the Knight Foundation. His work has been featured in Complex Media, Acclaim Magazine and Oyster Magazine.
He has mounted solo and two-person exhibitions at Playground Detroit (Detroit, MI), LVL3 Gallery (Chicago, IL), and Skylab Gallery (Columbus, OH) and has shown his work internationally in group shows. Most recently, he had a solo booth at Future Fair in New York City. He is a special lecturer in Oakland University’s department of Art and Art History.

Soulful Movement: Vinyasa Flow Journey with Lauren J. Williams
2025-08-23 11:00 - 12:00 | PLAYGROUND DETROIT Gallery, 2845 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48207, United States
Join yoga guide Lauren J. Williams for an invigorating Vinyasa class in alignment with FIFTY’s current exhibition, “Me as the Machine.”

Join yoga guide Lauren J. Williams for an invigorating Vinyasa class at PLAYGROUND DETROIT.
In alignment with the exhibition on view by FIFTY, Me as the Machine, this class will be playful, vibrant, and encourage attendees to find a vigorous yoga flow.All levels are welcome. Come prepared to breathe, build heat, and ignite your internal fire. This class will celebrate movement, community, and soulful connection.This is the last day to view artwork on display by Paul “FIFTY” Johnson. His exhibition explores themes of identity, color, and representation, shaped by his experiences as a Black artist.The exhibition is on view by-appointment through Saturday, August 23.
RSVP to attend. Capacity is limited.
Bring your own yoga mat.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Lauren J. Williams is a yoga guide and professional ice skater with over a decade of experience who is passionate about social justice, inspiring creativity, and healing. She has spent years practicing yoga instruction in the Detroit community throughout various recreation centers, studios, and college campuses.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
“Me as the Machine” is about what it means to create by hand in a time when everything feels automated or mass-produced. I’ve been thinking a lot about tools — the ones we rely on, and the ones we become. In this show, I’m exploring what happens when I turn myself into the machine.Through embroidered works on raw canvas and painted surfaces, he teases out the tension between tool and touch, labor and vision.

His signature approach — vivid color layered against stark black and white — creates visual rhythm and emotional contrast, blurring the line between textile and illustration.“Me as the Machine” is a reflection on what it means to make art in a time of automation and anxiety — where machines are faster, and complacency feels dangerously close.
In this show, Paul Johnson, aka “FIFTY,” positions himself as the machine: the motor, the muscle, the mind behind each stitch.This exhibition asks viewers to slow down. To feel texture. To witness a process that resists reproduction — art that must be experienced in person to be fully understood.
“Using a hand-cranked embroidery machine, I made each piece by guiding the thread like a pen — drawing with stitches. Some works are just embroidery on raw canvas, and others combine paint and thread to play with depth, color, and contrast. A lot of the pieces separate color from black and white, like they’re having a conversation with each other.”
– Paul Johnson
This show is textured, layered, and best experienced in person. It’s about slowing down and seeing how something gets made — one movement at a time.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Paul “Fifty” Johnson’s (@_ffty) explores identity, color, and representation, shaped by his experiences as a Black artist. Blending street art, fashion, and contemporary aesthetics, his work often centers powerful female figures, inspired by his connection to femininity.
His latest evolution begins with loose, gestural sketches—linear marks like abstract sentences—built into complex forms through the inversion and contrast of a single color.This focus on monochrome invites a deeper emotional reading, uncovering dimension, texture, and relief without relying on multiple tones. By reducing his palette, Johnson pushes minimalism as a tool for meaning, exploring how his identity can change through restrained expression.

The Easel People present "Recess" Opening Reception
2025-09-26 19:00 - 22:00 | PLAYGROUND DETROIT Gallery, 2845 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48207, United States
“Recess” is a multidisciplinary exhibition presented by Easel People: Christopher Rogers, Elliott Rogers, and Yusuf D. A. Lateef.

“Recess” is a multidisciplinary exhibition presented by Easel People: Christopher Rogers, Elliott Rogers, and Yusuf D. A. Lateef, that invites audiences to take a break from the routine. Recess invites you to treat creativity as an exhale, a healing necessity for the human spirit.

Recess, in the context of life, refers to a period of temporary withdrawal from usual work or activities. It’s an interruption from the ordinary and a chance to engage in activities that are not directly related to one’s obligations. Easel People is a Detroit–Toledo based artist collective blending visual art, sustainable design, and a deep commitment to community well-being.

Opening Reception, August 29th 7-10PM
On view through Friday, September 5th
Closing Reception, 7-10PM

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Christopher Rogers is a Detroit-based artist whose work bridges art, mental health, and industrial design. Drawing from experience in behavioral health, pattern making, and over a decade in industrial sewing, he creates with materials ranging from ash and wood to paint and mixed media, fostering a more intentional way of seeing and experiencing the world.

Elliott Rogers is an Ohio-based artist working at the intersection of craftsmanship and urban aesthetics. With roots in auto painting, construction, and graffiti, his mixed-media works combine industrial materials with refined surface treatments. His projects include The Quest for Fire Studios at the Toledo Museum of Art Community Gallery and costume design for Royal Caribbean. His installations explore the balance between structure and spontaneity, creating immersive experiences for viewers.

Yusuf Dubois Abdul Lateef is a Toledo-based artist, educator, and co-founder of Radiant City Arts and the Toledo Black Artist Coalition. For over a decade, he has developed arts programming for juvenile detention centers and public spaces, using art as a tool for healing, problem-solving, and community building. Holding a Master’s in 2D Studies and Social Engagement from Bowling Green State University, where now he is a professor in the School of Art continuing collaborative projects in the U.S. and abroad. See less

Forgotten Harvest Charitable Yoga Retreat + Fundraiser
2025-12-14 10:00 - 13:00 | PLAYGROUND DETROIT Gallery, 2845 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48207, United States
Join us for a cozy and reflective half-day yoga retreat and fundraiser to support Forgotten Harvest – time to flow, give back and have fun!

Celebrate the charitable season and make a tangible difference with a half-day yoga retreat led by Lauren J. Williams, hosted on behalf of Forgotten Harvest at PLAYGROUND DETROIT.
By attending, you directly support Michigan’s largest food rescue organization. Last year alone, Forgotten Harvest rescued over 40 million pounds of fresh, excess food from grocery stores, restaurants, farmers, and other sources to deliver food free of charge to our neighbors in need.More than half a million people in Metro Detroit, including nearly 180,000 children, are facing hunger.
Your immediate donation ensures nutritious meals reach families in need. Every contribution helps provide essential food to our neighbors. Your support matters.Together, we can help provide the Right Food, at the Right Place, in the Right Quantity, and at the Right Time.
This half-day yoga retreat features meditation, movement, journaling, and community. To participate, please register to reserve your spot. You are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate or make a financial contribution; every act of support helps fight hunger.

December 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at PLAYGROUND DETROIT, located at 2845 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207.
The cost is $150- we also offer a sliding scale option for those who may require it. Please contact us for more information about our sliding scale opportunity.

Love Yourself: Vinyasa Flow Journey with Lauren J. Williams
2026-02-15 11:00 - 12:00 | PLAYGROUND DETROIT Gallery, 2845 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48207, United States
Show yourself some love with this vinyasa class connecting with our breath and opening our hearts.

Join us for Love Yourself: Vinyasa Flow Journey with Lauren J. Williams!
Let’s flow through poses, connect with our breath, and embrace self-love through movement. No matter your skill level, this session is all about YOU.
This class is a guided vinyasa class. We will take time connecting with our breath, opening our hearts, and moving intentional vigor.
If you have been feeling stagnant, cold, or coping with the seasonal Winter blues, this class is the perfect remedy. Modifications will be offered as well.
Bring your mat, an open heart, and get ready to dive into this empowering practice.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Lauren J. Williams is a yoga guide and founder of wellness brand Indie Spirit. She has over a decade of experience who is passionate about social justice, inspiring creativity, and healing. Indie Spirit curates transformational wellness experiences that invite soulful exploration, radical self-care, and elevated community connection.
Williams has spent years practicing yoga instruction in the Detroit community throughout various recreation centers, studios, and college campuses.

Artist Talk: Tony Rave on “Blue Lives Matter”
2026-02-22 14:00 - 16:00 | PLAYGROUND DETROIT Gallery, 2845 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48207, United States
Join Tony Rave for an in-person Artist Talk for a deep dive into the meaning and impact of “Blue Lives Matter,” his solo exhibition on view.

Artist Talk: Tony Rave on “Blue Lives Matter”

Come join us in person for an engaging Artist Talk with Tony Rave. Dive into the powerful themes behind Blue Lives Matter as Rave shares insights and stories about his work.
Don’t miss this chance to connect, ask questions, and get inspired by the artist himself. It’s going to be a thought-provoking event you’ll want to be a part of!
This exhibition brings together two interconnected bodies of work—the Reagan Series and the Smurks Series—that examine how systems of power shape lives long before consent is ever possible.

Tony Rave approaches both series with deep personal urgency rooted in lived observation. Growing up in Detroit, he witnessed how policy becomes personal and how slogans, symbols, and public messaging quietly embed themselves into private lives. His work does not chase shock value or reenact trauma; it insists on honesty.
Each piece invites the viewer to slow down, sit with the imagery, and confront it through the lens of their own experience. Many of the works in this exhibition are still in progress, making the show a snapshot of an evolving practice rather than a fixed or resolved statement.
By drawing on familiar characters and visual language, his work questions how innocence and authority become intertwined, and how imagery influences belief, belonging, and control. The connection between the two series is emotional and human rather than literal—together tracing a line between policy and culture, language and imagery, public narrative and inner life.

ON VIEW
Through Saturday, March 7th
Viewing Hours Thursday – Saturday, 12-5PM

CARAVAN: Mobolaji Ayeni Solo Exhibition Opening Reception
2026-04-04 18:00 - 21:00 | PLAYGROUND DETROIT Gallery, 2845 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48207, United States
Join us for the Opening Reception of Mobolaji Ayeni’s Solo Exhibition, “CARAVAN,” on Saturday, April 4th from 6-9PM.

Join us for the Opening Reception of Mobolaji Ayeni’s Solo Exhibition, CARAVAN, on Saturday, April 4th from 6-9PM.
On view from April 4th though May 2nd.
CARAVAN explores the migration of people, ideas, and cultures from pre-colonial West Africa to modern North America. Through layered, story-driven paintings, it honors ancestral histories and diasporic identities. Using the caravan as metaphor—movement, exchange, memory—it weaves interconnected narratives of continuity and transformation across time and generations
For centuries, people have traced the same agreed-upon routes, on foot, on wagon, on horse or camel, in trucks, in big numbers for safety, from town to town in long caravans of trade.
To be human is to follow resources. We cross lands and waters, trading what we can. We tell two kinds of stories: the first is about leaving home and what we saw; the second is about the stranger who came into our town. Disconnected, we do not see that they are the same story.
“In this exhibition, a layered body of work that honors ancestral histories, contemporary diasporic identity and the human person. The conceptual framework builds on the metaphor of a caravan as both physical and symbolic: a moving community, a vehicle of exchange, and a vessel of memory,” he explains.
CARAVAN explores the movement of people, ideas, and cultural practices across time and geography, with a focus on journeys from pre-colonial West Africa to present-day North America. It is a visual and narrative exploration of continuity and transformation: the caravans we join, literally and figuratively, which transform our lives and the lives of our descendants. But it is also about how we ourselves become resources to be traded, led or loved.

From the artist-

“I aim to create a layered body of work that honors ancestral histories, contemporary diasporic identity and the human person. The conceptual framework builds on the metaphor of a caravan as both physical and symbolic: a moving community, a vehicle of exchange, and a vessel of memory.” – Mobolaji Ayeni

ON VIEW
April 4- May 2

VIEWING HOURS
Thursday- Saturday, 12-5PM

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Mobolaji Ayeni (b. 1992) is a Nigerian-American visual artist, designer, and writer based in Detroit. His work explores memory, identity, and the strength of bonds between people.
Drawing from family photos, human history and cultural objects, he creates visual narratives that reflect on intimate and collective experiences.
He is a 2025 Emerging Artist Fellowship recipient, powered by Gilbert Family Foundation. As a 2025 Emerging Artist Fellow, Ayeni was chosen for his artistic excellence and strong exhibition concept through an open call process and selected by a small professional arts jury.

Flow State: Art + Sound + Community
2026-05-30 19:00 - 21:00 | PLAYGROUND DETROIT Gallery, 2845 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48207, United States
Step into an immersive outdoor evening where movement, music, and art converge into a shared experience with City Glow Yoga.

Join yoga guide Lauren J. Williams, in collaboration with City Glow Yoga and PLAYGROUND DETROIT, as Flow State invites you to explore what it feels like to be fully present through a blend of slow-flow yoga, silent disco, and curated creative energy.
Slip on your headphones and begin the evening with a feel-good, all-levels yoga flow designed to help you soften, release, and reconnect with your body. Move freely through a silent disco experience surrounded by art, light, and community.
Explore the exhibition on view at the gallery, connect with local vendors, and enjoy your time for yourself. There is no a rush event; it’s a space to explore, engage, and simply be.
Whether you come solo or with friends, you’ll leave feeling grounded, energized, and inspired.
