OMA revives bakery & warehouse as LANTERN arts hub in detroit

LANTERN by OMA is the latest addition to detroit’s Little Village

Co-founders of Library Street Collective and partners Anthony & JJ Curis open LANTERN as part of their neighborhood-wide initiative, Little Village, envisioned as a new cultural corridor in the East Village. Driven to expand public access to the arts in Detroit, the Curises joined forces with architecture firm OMA, led by Partner Jason Long, to revitalize the building at 9301 Kercheval into a destination for the arts with additional space for local businesses, all centered around an accessible outdoor courtyard. LANTERN and its flagship tenants Progressive Arts Studio Collective (PASC) and Signal-Return, now join other anchor sites in the area, including the Shepherd, in enhancing the fabric of Detroit’s newest cultural district.

all images © Jason Keen, courtesy Library Street Collective

bringing additional space for local art businesses

OMA has introduced three artist studio spaces to the top floor of LANTERN (see more here). Inaugural artists include Akea Brionne, Davariz Broaden, and Paul Verdell, who have deep roots in the city and have exhibited with Library Street Collective. Broaden is the first artist to participate in the DTW Arts Scholarship, a new artist residency program established by artist Tyrrell Winston to nurture Detroit-based talent. DTW Arts Scholarship provides its artists with studio space at the LANTERN for one year, monthly material stipends, and mentorship from Winston. Winston will collaborate with a different brand for each iteration to encourage interdisciplinary and cross-cultural conversations and has partnered with global fashion brand Stone Island for the 2024/2025 season.

LANTERN by OMA is part of the Little Village in Detroit

Additionally, two local arts nonprofits, PASC and Signal-Return, occupy roughly 790 sqm of combined space on the main level of the building. A program of the disability services organization STEP (Services to Enhance Potential), PASC is the first art studio and exhibition program dedicated to supporting adults with developmental disabilities and mental health differences in Detroit and Wayne County to launch professional art careers. The new headquarters, which has served over 180 artists with disabilities to date, provides studio space, support from a staff of contemporary artists, and a gallery to showcase the work of PASC artists. On the other hand, Signal-Return is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to preserving and teaching traditional letterpress printing in Detroit. The new location provides an opportunity to expand its programming, which includes hands-on workshops, exhibitions, access to printing facilities for independent artists, and educational partnerships. The newly expanded retail store offers exposure and revenue for over 50 artists by selling prints, ephemera, and gifts.

LANTERN southern facade is drilled with over 1,300 holes

The gallery, located within the retail space, will present exhibitions related to Signal-Return’s programming. Joining anchor tenants PASC and Signal-Return is a roster of local businesses, rounding out the mixed-use building and providing additional gathering spaces for the community. Assemble Sound is a full-service music company and recording studio working with cutting-edge musical talent in Detroit and beyond, with a residency program for artists, producers, and songwriters. Established in 2019 by Angela Wisniewski, Coup D’etat is a fashion boutique offering an eclectic selection of independent designs catering primarily to women. The outdoor courtyard at LANTERN will be activated by Collect Beer Bar, a family-owned and operated establishment that serves a thoughtful selection of rotating craft brews, and Cafe Franco, a coffee shop and gathering space from the owners of La Ventana. Assemble Sound, Coup D’etat, Collect Beer Bar, and Cafe Franco are anticipated to open by late summer 2024.

OMA transforms a former commercial bakery and warehouse

revived building centered around an outdoor courtyard

OMA has transformed the former commercial bakery and warehouse to facilitate interaction and gathering amongst the diverse tenants and their activities. Taking advantage of the existing building’s state of disrepair, an area missing a roof and wall enclosure is preserved as an open courtyard and heart of the building. Tenants on the ground floor are organized around the courtyard, a shared gathering space, and an activity condenser. While the courtyard offers a vibrant communal space within the building, strategic openings to the existing bricked or boarded-up doors and windows broadcast activities to the neighborhood while bringing light in. Gallery windows extrude to become art vitrines, and larger openings create indoor-outdoor potential for production and events. The solid expanse of the building’s southern facade is drilled with over 1,300 holes to subtly reveal light and movement within – at night, the new community arts hub becomes a glowing LANTERN.