The singular thread, throughout my long career as an arts writer in Detroit, has been advocacy. I see so many brilliant artists creating such meaningful and fabulous work that I am emotionally empowered to shout out about it. Most of the time, I am that lonely voice trying to yell above the howling wind, "Look at Detroit!" Well, it looks like I have some help. Real Art Detroit has found a friend.
Any writer hopes someday their work will be discovered and trebucheted over the walls that keep the ever-struggling masses languishing in mediocrity, separated from art world aristocracy. One day I noticed a national art-based website posted a link to this newsletter. I’d never heard of Art Report Today. The aggregated news platform covers art and culture from all over the world, posting links to pieces from the New Yorker, artnet, NPR, Artforum and Real Art Detroit. I got an email from the publisher, Gordy Grundy, stating he liked my writing enough to help me. I’m sorry, what?
The 'Detroit vs Everybody' brand isn’t kidding. For as difficult as it can be to thrive in this city, we do it by supporting each other through thick and thin. In the arts, there’s an undeclared respect and pride for those who stick it out. We face anything and everything together. It gets in your blood so deep that even if you geographically leave, the guts and grind stay with you. We don’t easily trust outsiders.
Gordy called. It was an incandescent conversation. He’s smart, energetic and uproariously funny. My left eyebrow was secretly aloft Scarlet O’Hara style, however, waiting for him to tell me all he needed to propel RAD into the stratosphere was my social security number and a credit card. I Googled. There are some pics of him hobnobbing with LA glitterati and writing credits including the Huffington Post. I read an interview in Authority Magazine where he talked about kindness and helping people. Come on.
We’ve spoken several times since then and I’m always in a better mood afterwards. His irrepressible passion for the arts is undeniable. His candor in admitting several shipwrecked projects endears him because every artist has dreams lodged on that same cluttered shore. So when he appointed me his Detroit woman-on-the-ground for the most comprehensive arts and culture news site in the world, I enthusiastically accepted.
Artillery magazine in Los Angeles just published his essay "Bouncing in the Artist's Bubble," which hilariously documents his journey to create Art Report Today. To overstate the obvious, he makes it clear that the arts and culture are not as popular topics as pickle ball, porn or K-Pop.
Touted as 'a deep and beautiful dive into our arts and culture,' Art Report Today features over 150 articles and videos, constantly changing. The free Sunday Lounge newsletter offers the best of the week. (Click Here to subscribe.)
Detroit has a new fan. Gordy has been highly supportive by featuring Detroit artists in the news platform's social media efforts. He thinks gallery models like Library Street Collective, Playground Detroit and detroit contemporary are the future. It's nice to see my hometown through fresh eyes.
Gordy has the guts to post a link to this relatively unknown but obviously brilliant newsletter next to a piece by the New York Times. I admire guts. I’m genuinely knocked out by anyone who isn’t all in for themselves. His generosity may or may not lead to a Pulitzer, but he’s certainly attempting to bring a whole lotta people with him wherever it is he’s going, including this publication. If I’m wrong, and I don’t think I am, I’m from Detroit. I know people with names like the Bricklayer and OneShot. Just sayin.
Well, that’s a wrap on 2022. Thank you to everyone who’s supported this endeavor, especially those who dragged out their credit cards to keep gas in my car and a little something for my time. As always, the biggest players in this game are the artists and gallerists who make and exhibit Detroit’s incredible talent. I’ll be seeing you in 2023. Thank you and have a lovely holiday!
Speaking of Art Report Today, we are celebrating the New Year by commemorating the past. There are many mentions of Detroit art and Real Art Detroit in our complimentary digital book "The Year 2022, Great Moments in Our Arts and Culture" Click Here for your free copy: https://www.artreporttoday.com/2022b/12/Year2022.pdf
How cool Kim! Congratulations. Although, I can't say that I am surprised that good things are coming your way. Wishing you all the best this holiday season and looking forward to more friendship times in 2023.