the Shepherd

Maintaining the integrity of the original architecture, the adaptive reuse of the church includes two new gallery spaces, a public library, and ample classroom and workshop space for the local community.

The Shepherd seeks to blur the lines between gallery, institution, and community arts center, and provides opportunities for collaboration with arts organizations. The main gallery allows for programming opportunities on the mezzanine, while the church altar has been outfitted as a space for performance and musical programming.

“We are delighted to share the exciting plans for the East Village on a new creative hub that will become an important part of the fabric of our city. By working closely with the local community, this new project will be an accessible and creative arts center that we can all be proud of in Detroit,” said Rochelle Riley, director of the City of Detroit’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship.

The grounds of the Shepherd offer over 3.5 acres of new, publicly accessible park and green space to the local community, designed by multidisciplinary design firm Office of Strategy + Design (OSD). Former parking lots, alleyways, and vacant lots have been converted into a series of interlocking outdoor destinations that seamlessly integrate with existing buildings. Among these, the former rectory of the Shepherd has been transformed into a bed and breakfast named ALEO, envisioned as a haven for artists and those seeking a cultural retreat in Little Village. ALEO’s third floor is home to Modern Ancient Brown, the Foundation started by artist McArthur Binion. The grounds also feature a skatepark designed by Binion and Tony Hawk, and a sculpture park built in honor of the late-artist Charles McGee. BridgeHouse, designed by Detroit-based studio Undecorated, comprises two former residential structures now converted into culinary art spaces. Here, James Beard award-winning chef Warda Bouguettaya will open a new space for her pâtisserie later this Summer.

“It might not be common for a museum and a commercial gallery to work together in other areas, but collaboration is common here. What The Shepherd and Little Village are doing is an amplification of what’s possible in Detroit,” said Jova Lynne, Artistic Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit for The Art Newspaper.