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Paradise
Valleys'
Carr
Center
evolves
with the
ever
changing
face of
Detroit
By
Laydell
Wood
Harper/Tell
Us
Detroit
DETROIT
- The
face of
Downtown
Detroit
is
changing
almost
daily,
and the
Carr
Center
has been
an
important
part of
that
change.
The Carr
Center
has
continued
to bring
an
important
missing
element
to the
Downtown
culture,
the
African
American
Art
Culture.
In
recent
months
we have
heard
about
the new
restaurants
opening
in
Downtown
Detroit
some of
which
are
actually
reopening
after a
long
hiatus
but were
previously
well
known
upscale
establishments;
The
London
Chop
House
and Joe
Muers
have
both
reopened
and are
just two
restaurants
in a
long
list of
new
restaurants
and
businesses
opening
in
Downtown
Detroit.
The Carr
Center
formerly
The Arts
League
of
Michigan,
now
celebrating
its 25th
Anniversary
brings a
wealth
of
exciting
new
energy
and
entertainment
into the
downtown
area.
Promoted
for many
years as
The Carr
Center
in the
old
Paradise
Valley,
this has
brought
new
interest
to this
formerly
hidden
location.
The name
Paradise
Valley
has
become
increasingly
more
popular
because
of The
Carr
Center.
“We
continue
to bring
high
quality
programming
to the
Carr
Center;
bringing
together
class,
culture
and
community,”
said
Oliver
Ragsdale.
Here is
just a
few of
the
Summer
classes.
There is
still
time to
enroll.
Art in
the
Studio,
Art in
the Park
(ASAP)
(ages
7-11;
July 18
– July
29) This
academy
will
familiarize
students
and move
them to
comfort
with the
wonders
of the
visual
arts and
producing
their
own
work.
Instruction
will
focus on
skill
development
and
assisting
students
to
understand
the
processes
used in
bringing
ideas to
life
through
various
techniques
and
media.
Carr
Center
Dance
Academy
(ages
7-18;
July 18
– July
29)
Looking
for a
fun,
enjoyable,
yet
intensive
dance
academy?
The
summer
Dance
Academy
offers
boys and
girls an
opportunity
to
improve
skills
and
technique
and
nurture
love of
dance
regardless
of
ability.
Our
professional
instructors
offer
instruction
in the
areas of
beginner,
intermediate,
and
advanced
level
Ballet,
Modern,
Jazz,
Hip Hop
and
African
Dance.
The
students
will
have
many
performance
opportunities.
If you
haven’t
visited
The Carr
Center
you’re
in for a
treat.
This
stately
44,000
sq. ft.
historic
structure
has been
transformed
into a
delightful
venue
that
still
includes
all of
the
architectural
detail
and
beauty
of the
past yet
compliments
the
paintings,
art and
sculptures
of
today’s
local
and
national
artists.
The Carr
Center
is a
creative
center
in
downtown
Detroit
devoted
to the
preservation,
presentation,
promotion,
and
development
of the
African
and
African-American
cultural
arts
traditions
within a
multicultural
community.
Each
year the
Carr
Center
engages
52,000+
metro-Detroit
residents
and
visitors
with a
year-round
menu of
performances,
exhibitions,
arts
education,
post-graduate
training,
and
community
programs.
“The
Carr
Center
is a
creative
hub,”
comments
Ragsdale.
“It’s a
place
where
artists
and
community
come
together;
where
artists
bring
and
develop
their
ideas
and
where
new
ideas
are
generated
by the
interplay
between
and
among
artists
and
between
and
among
artists
and
community;
where
people –
who
don’t
see
themselves
as
artists
–
participate
in
creation;
where
people
learn
and grow
from
each
other,
and from
the
surroundings
of this
hub of
creative
activity.
Located
in
downtown
Detroit,
The Carr
Center
is Your
Home for
the Arts
in
Detroit!”
The
center
is
dedicated
to
presenting
and
promoting
the
cultural
contributions
of the
African
American
Arts
community.
An
important,
much
needed
cultural
diversity
addition
in
downtown
Detroit.
It
features
African/African
American
cultural
arts,
comprehensive
jazz
studies,
art
camps
for
youngsters,
performing
arts
studios,
galleries,
studio
space
for
professional
artists,
and much
more.
There is
something
for
everyone
at this
bright
shining
star
located
in the
quaint
little
area of
Harmony
Park or
the new
Paradise
Valley
in
Downtown
Detroit.
Unfortunately,
according
to a
recent
news
story;
despite
struggling
financially,
the
small
nonprofit
arts
organization
focused
primarily
on
African-American
culture
has
offered
space to
performers,
grassroots
organizations
and
artists
who
otherwise
wouldn't
have a
home in
the
city.
And it
has
partnered
with
universities
to
present
world-class
jazz
talent
like
Detroit-born
violinist
Regina
Carter
and
veteran
pianist
Kenny
Barron.
But all
of that
is going
to
change.
The Carr
Center
has been
asked to
move
from
their
location.
"We're
not a
part of
the
city's
future
plans
for the
neighborhood,"
Ragsdale
said. He
anticipates
moving
in 2017.
Stop by
the
Gallery
Opening
this
Friday,
July
15th at
6 pm for
the Poor
Man’s
Art
Collective
presents
:
Independent
Artist
United
at The
Carr
Center
All
Academy
Session
hours at
The Carr
Center:
8:30AM –
3:00 PM
week
days.
Lunch
Provided/
Tuition
$100 per
week.
For more
information
about
our
Summer
Arts
Academy
and to
download
an
application,
please
visit
our
website:
TheCarrCenter.org
or call
us at
(313)
965-8430.
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