ACTUALLY WORKING is a survey of works by the current tenants of the Pioneer Building, one of the longest-lived artists’ studio communities in Detroit.
In 1992, the painter Anne Fracassa rented space for a studio in the Pioneer Building, a former factory built in 1908. When the building’s then-owner observed Anne’s sons skilfully renovating her space, he offered to sell the family the entire structure, on the condition that they convert the building to artists’ studios. For over thirty years since, the Pioneer Building has been home to a diverse group of artists ranging in age from their 20s to their 90s, some of whom have been tenants for decades. The tone of the community was set from the very beginning by Anne’s open-door policy; so frequently did people visit her studio to share ideas and resources that she eventually made a sign to post on her door when she needed to get back to painting: ACTUALLY WORKING. Currently the Pioneer houses 39 artists in 36 studios, including painters, printmakers, sculptors, photographers, cold-glass artists, and graphic artists. Community members engage with the art world in Detroit and beyond; many are art educators, and each year, the community’s open studio event attracts over a thousand visitors. The Pioneer’s long life is due not only to the vitality of the artists it houses, but also to the Fracassa family’s commitment to supporting artists by providing a place to work in a community of like minded people.
The reception will take place on February 8th from 6pm-10pm.
Participating artists include:
Alan Watson, Anne Fracassa, Anne Harrington Hughes, Birgit Huttemann-Holz, Carole Kabrin, Claudia Shepard, Clinton Snider, Coco Bruner, Darcel Deneau, David Mikesell, Deborah Sukenic, Denise Kozlo, Elizabeth Youngblood, Gil Ashby, Heather Jarosz, Jennifer Gariepy, Joan Farago, John Hegarty, Joseph Ferraro, Josephine Primeau, Joyce Brienza, Linda Allen, Linda Boyle, Loralei Byatt, Madeleine Barkey, Marcia Freedman, Matthew Breneau, Mel Rosas, Renee Dooley, Sabrina Nelson, Scott Smith Taylor, Sherry Moore, Suzanne Andersen, Teresa Petersen, Timothy Van Laar, & Yuen Hom
