OPENING: Saturday, October 20 from 6 - 10pm

The Carriage House Gallery presents its second exhibition with an installation of felt and glass:

Detroit Diamonds Project

On Detroit streets, it is common to come across small piles of glass from broken car windows. It is easy to overlook these 'city diamonds' that quickly become scattered in traffic. In a city built on the auto industry and struggling to overcome a variety of social and
economic setbacks, it is fitting to seek value in remnants of cars and crime. Throughout the month of October, artists Alana Bartol, Liz Bernblum, Emily Linn, and Lindsay Satchell will be working with Detroit community
members to create and collect materials for an installation at the Carriage House Gallery.

"The Detroit Diamonds Project began as we collected piles of broken window shards in our neighborhood, leaving the streets temporarily free of glass and reminders of violence," says artist Alana Bartol. "After sweeping up
the glass, we meticulously washed and sorted it, taking out all stones and debris, and created blankets of wool felt to place underneath it." As part of this unique installation, the artists will offer community educational workshops for all ages and a neighborhood "Street Sweep" event.

An Introduction to Felt-Making workshop will be held at Wayne State University on Friday, October 12th from 1 - 4pm. The workshop is free and will be suitable for ages 5+. Space is limited. To reserve a place in the class please phone (734) 645-0710 or e-mail: detroitdiamondsproject@gmail.com. Each participant will take home their very own felt creations and have the opportunity to help produce the felt that will transform the floor of the Carriage House Gallery.

Street Sweep will be held on Saturday, October 13th from 2 - 6pm, (rain date Sunday, October 14th from 2 - 6pm). During this time, the artists and community members will be sweeping and collecting glass from the neighborhood streets surrounding the Carriage House Gallery. The glass will be sorted and cleaned to be included in the installation. Individuals are encouraged to e-mail detroitdiamonsproject@gmail.com for info on how to
participate or to let the artists know the location of car-window glass in the area.

A reception will be held on at which time the completed installation will be revealed. Images of artwork featured in the exhibition are available to the news media on request.

THROUGH: Sept. 22, 2007