Gallery Sets Up Art Display along Deserted Main Street

The Streets of downtown Wyandotte are quiet, most businesses are closed due to covid-19.

Wyandotte is the home of small businesses, usually proprietor run. The hardest hit businesses during these times. Yet, it has one of the

most beautiful downtown districts situated on the Detroit River with two parks and a golf course with open views of the river where it connects

to Lake Erie. It also has a long art history with the second largest art fair in Michigan. It will be cancelled this year for the first time in over 50

years.

Yet the entrepreneurial spirit lives on with many owners getting virtual savy and using their own web sites or Facebook or Etsy to sell their wares. Several restaurants are offering takeout but the quiet streets were too quiet for the owners of River's Edge Gallery. The gallery,

besides offering complete interior design and framing, represents over 300 Michigan artists. The 3 floor turn of the century building is busy

with constantly changing displays and art openings until the shut down. Jeremy Hansen, the gallery director and part owner, was used to hanging and rehanging art inside the gallery and now saw his only place to let others see the art was the two large windows of the gallery on

the main street in Wyandotte, Biddle. He began to curate shows in the windows and soon was approached by other businesses with large

windows. The first was Total Health Foods who because they carry essential groceries, produce, health products and household items

remained open. They also had a large window and invited Jeremy to use that as well. One of the owners, Kathleen Gunther, stated, "I see it

as art therapy that people can enjoy while walking, riding their bike or from the safety of their car." Other businesses quickly followed like Willow Tree, Chelsea Menswear, Salon Misha and Cassandra J. According to Jeremy Hansen, "It is an ever changing landscape. New

businesses are coming on board daily and it has been challenging yet satisfying to find the right art for each. It also helps take the art out in the open to be viewed." Jeremy did note that all art is for sale by contacting the gallery though its web site http://www.artattheedge.com. He

added, "It is like coming to an art opening."

Patt Slack, founder of River's Edge Gallery, stated that "Wyandotte is a great family day out all the time and it still is." Patt is Chairperson of

the Downtown Development Authority and pointed out the many things that can be enjoyed in this historic downtown: " Besides having a beautiful view of the Detroit River we have many public art works and memorials in the parks and surrounding areas, a newly developed Gallery Way pocket park on Biddle which displays reproductions of industrial masterpiece paintings and hand painted hand carved wildlife sculptures and plenty of outdoor seating spaces like Arrowhead Pavilion which also includes hand carved sculptures.

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River's Edge Gallery http://www.artattheedge.com 3024 Biddle St Wyandotte, MI 48192

734-246-9880 office