Detroit's artistic community is set to lose a significant piece of its fabric as the Norwest Gallery of Art prepares to close its doors for good. In a bold final statement, the Black-owned gallery will host an exhibit titled "Water," which will be on display until December 21st.
The decision to close was not made lightly by owner and artist Asia Hamilton, who cited financial strain as the main reason. Despite her efforts to keep the space open, she realized that it was time to acknowledge when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em. The closure marks a significant loss for Detroit's thriving arts scene.
The exhibit "Water" is curated by Doug Jones, who has described the show as an exploration of the interconnectedness of all things - including humans, animals, plants, and water itself. Visitors will be immersed in a dynamic installation that reacts to sound waves, movement, and even the number of people present.
Artwork from over 20 artists will be featured at the exhibit, showcasing a wide range of mediums and styles. Notable contributors include Hamilton herself, Shirley Woodson, Senghor Reid, Ijania Cortez, LaPorcshia Winfield, Gyona Rice, Oshun Williams, Joe Cazeno III, Ian Solomon, among others.
Hamilton's passion for providing a platform for emerging Black artists is palpable. "I had been through so much as an artist coming along," she reminisces. "Back then, you'd go into galleries with your portfolio, and you either had to have a following or know somebody." Since opening Norwest Gallery eight years ago, Hamilton has seen the community come together to fill the gap, but it's clear that her vision for accessible art spaces will continue to inspire others.
Hamilton plans to keep pushing forward by hosting pop-up art installations and participating in upcoming events. This includes a summit at Art Basel Miami Beach for arts administrators later this year.
For those interested in paying their respects, Norwest Gallery of Art is open on Fridays and Saturdays from noon-6pm, and Sundays from noon-4 pm until the exhibit closes. The gallery's legacy will live on through its artistic output and the countless memories created within its walls.
The decision to close was not made lightly by owner and artist Asia Hamilton, who cited financial strain as the main reason. Despite her efforts to keep the space open, she realized that it was time to acknowledge when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em. The closure marks a significant loss for Detroit's thriving arts scene.
The exhibit "Water" is curated by Doug Jones, who has described the show as an exploration of the interconnectedness of all things - including humans, animals, plants, and water itself. Visitors will be immersed in a dynamic installation that reacts to sound waves, movement, and even the number of people present.
Artwork from over 20 artists will be featured at the exhibit, showcasing a wide range of mediums and styles. Notable contributors include Hamilton herself, Shirley Woodson, Senghor Reid, Ijania Cortez, LaPorcshia Winfield, Gyona Rice, Oshun Williams, Joe Cazeno III, Ian Solomon, among others.
Hamilton's passion for providing a platform for emerging Black artists is palpable. "I had been through so much as an artist coming along," she reminisces. "Back then, you'd go into galleries with your portfolio, and you either had to have a following or know somebody." Since opening Norwest Gallery eight years ago, Hamilton has seen the community come together to fill the gap, but it's clear that her vision for accessible art spaces will continue to inspire others.
Hamilton plans to keep pushing forward by hosting pop-up art installations and participating in upcoming events. This includes a summit at Art Basel Miami Beach for arts administrators later this year.
For those interested in paying their respects, Norwest Gallery of Art is open on Fridays and Saturdays from noon-6pm, and Sundays from noon-4 pm until the exhibit closes. The gallery's legacy will live on through its artistic output and the countless memories created within its walls.
this is a bummer for detroit's arts scene... asia hamilton's vision for accessible art spaces was so impactful 
and now it's gotta come to an end. can't help but feel bad for the artists who had their work showcased there 
like, what's gonna happen to all those pop-up installations she's planning? 
gonna be a void in detroit's art landscape when norwest gallery closes its doors for good 
it's like they're cutting off a part of the city's soul, you know? asia hamilton's vision for an inclusive art scene was so ahead of its time, and now it's just... gone 
. but at the same time, you can't deny that asia hamilton has been doing some amazing work in creating opportunities for emerging black artists - that's real talk 
. i'm gonna miss norwest gallery, it was like my second home when i visited detroit 
. anyway, let's keep Asia's legacy alive by supporting these underground art spaces and pop-up installations, you feel? 
I'm literally just catching up on this thread now... anyway, Asia Hamilton's decision to close Norwest Gallery of Art is a bummer 
. I love that it's an immersive installation that reacts to its surroundings... it just goes to show how art can be so much more than just something hanging on the wall 
. Can't help but feel sad for Asia and the community, though - it's clear she's poured her heart into this space 
. The fact that she's already planning pop-up art installations and events means we'll still get to see her vision come to life in some way 
. And can we talk about how awesome the exhibit "Water" sounds? It's like a celebration of all things connected, including us! 
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And what if these things aren't as successful as Norwest Gallery was? 
On the other hand, it's awesome that she's still committed to providing a platform for emerging Black artists... That's so cool! 
So yeah, I guess we'll just have to wait and see how everything plays out... 
i mean what if it reacts to the vibes of the people there? like, is it gonna freak out or something? anyway, its sad to see a piece of Detroit's culture go 
is a somber reminder of the precarious state of many small, independent art spaces. Asia Hamilton's decision to close the gallery was undoubtedly a difficult one, but her commitment to providing a platform for emerging Black artists will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the community. The "Water" exhibit promises to be an immersive experience that not only showcases incredible artwork but also highlights the interconnectedness of all things 
[Image of a broken brush with water splashing out](https://i.imgur.com/7t3Kd3M.png) 
she's all about givin opportunities to up & comin artists, especially black ones, an it's crazy sad that it had 2 end like dis 
but on the bright side, she's still gonna keep pushin forward w pop-up installations n events 
anyway, can't wait 2 c what she does next w/ pop-up art installations 
. What really gets me tho is how they're gonna make "Water" their final exhibit - sounds like an amazing show, but also feels like a bittersweet farewell 
and i'm defo gonna check it out if i can 
... it's like losing a part of your family. Asia Hamilton's passion for creating spaces for emerging Black artists was truly inspiring 
. Can't help but feel for Doug Jones and all the artists who contributed to this amazing show 
!
. But still, it's sad that it's coming to this. All those amazing artists who have shown their work there... what's gonna happen to 'em? 
. So yeah, it's gonna be tough when that place closes down on Dec 21st 
asia hamilton's vision for accessible art spaces was literally changing the game 
i mean, she's not just an artist, but a leader in the community too. her exhibit "water" sounds amazing btw