Detroit Artists’ Test Lab, a 12,000-square-foot incubator and gallery space, is now open. Located at 14600 Mack Ave. on Detroit’s east side, the space includes a 2,500-square-foot professional photography studio, a 3,500-square-foot event/gallery space, and a podcast studio for rent.
In addition, the incubator will feature private offices for lease and co-working space memberships that will be available in the fall.
Detroit Artists’ Test Lab was founded by husband-and-wife collaborators Glenn Urquhart and Kira Kessler, who created the space with the help of a Motor City March grant. The couple owns the building that began as a dance hall in 1922 and housed many businesses throughout the years before falling victim to the 2008 recession.
“We were looking for a place in a diverse, inclusive neighborhood to live, work, and play and where we could thrive in our craft and help others blossom as well,” says Urquhart. “Detroit’s east side offers many resources for entrepreneurs, innovators, nonprofits, and small businesses, and as entrepreneurs, we wanted to find an innovative way to use the building to be able to do the same. We look forward to engaging the artist community at Detroit Artists’ Test Lab in a way that is meaningful and useful to them.”
The gallery, referred to as the Test Lab, functions as a traditional gallery where artists can display their work and host art exhibits. The gallery space will also host birthday parties, baby/bridal showers, fundraisers, and networking events.
To commemorate the opening, Urquhart and Kessler will host a celebration at the Detroit Artists’ Test Lab that is free and open to the public from 2-11 p.m. on Thursday, June 21. Festivities will include a ribbon cutting ceremony, guided tours, a mini film festival, artist Q&A, and open house. Attendees can browse the work of seven metro Detroit artists on display throughout the building and learn how to become a part of the growing Detroit Artists’ Test Lab community.
Urquhart and Kessler are members of the Eastside Alliance, Eastside Community Network, Mack Avenue Steering Committee, and Embrace Creatives. The couple also mentor several artists and many art/mural projects with youth groups.
For more information or to arrange a tour, call (586) 222-1913 or visit Detroit Artists’ Test Lab here.
