Open studios in Detroit are proud to be dwelling in a city where design has many gears at work to ensure a more sustainable and equitable future for all Detroit residents. Design Core Detroit presents the 15th annual Detroit Month of Design this September (Sep. 1-30). As a UNESCO City of Design, Detroit is part of a network of 40+ cities around the world using design to improve the lives of everyday people. Discover why a steady increase of adult artists are choosing to stay in Detroit to further their craft. Workshops from local Detroit artists and creatives will also be available this month. Improve the quality of life in Detroit while also educating one another on more sustainable design methods & practices!
Detroitisit rounded up a list of the main open studios in Detroit for the public to freely experience in-person as a community. RSVP now. Locals are invited to pay a visit in early September and through the middle of the month for one-day open studio public access events.
15TH ANNUAL DETROIT MONTH OF DESIGN, PHOTO @DESIGNCOREDET ON INSTAGRAM
FRANCIS VALLEJO: OPEN STUDIO
When: Saturday, September 6 from 11 AM – 4 PM
Open studios in Detroit are a look at what’s been crafted over the years of talented minds who have grown up and/or lived in Detroit long enough to be inspired by the artistic transformation. Feel welcomed into the world of Artist and Detroit native, Francis Vallejo with his open studio. Take your time immersing yourself in available paintings, illustrations, prints and books. Click HERE to view Francis’ website for more information and click HERE to view the Detroit Month of Design website for more details and to RSVP.
Location: 4842 3 Mile Drive, Detroit
NINE & ONE-1 YEARS AT GRAND ON RIVER, PHOTO DETROIT MONTH OF DESIGN
NINE AND ONE: EXHIBITION AND OPEN STUDIOS AT GRAND ON RIVER
When: Saturday, September 6 from 6 PM – 10 PM
Open studios in Detroit highlight artist’s personal open studios as well as give a more exhibition style experience that is original to Detroit Month of Design experiences. 2025 marks 10 years of the Grand on River Building in its current iteration as a multi-purpose venue for art studios, gallery, events, living space, and now, wine bar. Relax and enjoy an engaging event, featuring designers who work in the building with a group exhibition. The exhibition will take place in a central gallery room and in the Vesper Books & Wine portion of the building. The artists studios will be open for viewing as well. Click HERE to view the Detroit Month of Design website for more details and to register.
Location: Grand on River, 5001 Grand River Ave, Detroit
FROM RESISTANCE TO RESILIENCE: HONORING DETROIT’S HOUSING LEGACY AND LOOKING TOWARD IT’S FUTURE
When: Tuesday, September 9 from 5 PM–8 PM
Open studios in Detroit to celebrate Detroit Month of Design include educational interactions and discussions. Don’t miss out on “From Resistance to Resilience: Honoring Detroit’s Housing Legacy Looking Toward Its Future”, an exhibition and panel discussion exploring how design can help preserve, promote, and share the history of Detroit and its residential neighborhoods. Click HERE to view the Detroit Month of Design website to learn more about this event, which names the local leaders in preservation and design that will be joining a public panel discussion with the event sponsors.
Location: 4219 Woodward Ave., 4219 Woodward Ave., Detroit
LITTLE VILLAGE AND OFFICE OF STRATEGY + DESIGN, PHOTO JASON KEEN/@JASONKEENCO ON INSTAGRAM
HOUSING REVOLUTION
When: Wednesday, Sep 10 from 6 PM – 10 PM
Open studios in Detroit house revolution in a literal way. Check out ”Housing Revolution”. Get an insider’s look into a “tech-driven, cost-effective and eco-friendly home in north Corktown, featuring the photography of Jason Keen. Click HERE for more details and to register.
Location: The Cochrane Residence, 3013 Cochrane St, Detroit
CURE NAILHOUSE IS NOT A NAIL SALON, PHOTO @CURENAILHOUSE ON INSTAGRAM
CURE NAILHOUSE OPEN STUDIO
Date & Time: Friday, September 12 from 6 PM – 9 PM
Open studios in Detroit to celebrate the start of Detroit Month of Design carrying through the rest of September. Feel special as you get an intimate, first-hand look inside Cure Nailhouse. This experimental artist residency and studio redefines nail technology as an artistic medium. It hits all the nails on the head by focusing on education, and craftsmanship while paying mind to inclusive art, fashion, and the beauty community. Stay the rest of the evening for a guided tour of the space, a collaborative conversation during, cocktails, and nail adornments inspired by British paint company Farrow & Ball’s bold collection with African American fashion designer Christopher John Rogers. Click HERE for more details and to RSVP.
Location: Cure Nailhouse, 119 Garfield St suite 400, Detroit
OPEN STUDIO AT DIVE STUDIOS
Date & Time: Sep 13 from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Open studios in Detroit to celebrate the start of Detroit Month of Design invite you into the crisp vibrancy of DIVE Studios, which is opening their shared studio space for an afternoon. The community is invited to come in, explore, and connect. Resident artists include Claudia Rivera Plaza, Martyna Alexander, Emilia Yang, S. Barber Kennedy, Cydney Camp, Cheyenne Lee, Marceline Mason, Joe Jagos, and Daniel Ribar. They will be in their studios during the event ready to share recent artworks as well as in-process projects on display. Light drinks will be available. Click HERE to view the Detroit Month of Design website for more information and to RSVP.
Location: DIVE Studios, 1927 Rosa Parks Blvd, Detroit
LIVE/WORK: CRANBROOK ALUMNI IN DETROIT-OPEN STUDIO CRAWL
A list of open studios in Detroit is always welcoming of the star talent over at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield HIlls, Michigan. This event will present a curated view into the creative practices of Detroit-based alumni of the Cranbrook Academy of Art working across a wide range of disciplines including design, fine art, craft and architecture. Click HERE to view the website for more details and to RSVP.
Location: 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills
CUSTER STUDIOS OPEN HOUSE, PHOTO KARL BAKE AND TRICK PONY / @CUSTERSTUDIOS ON INSTAGRAM
CUSTER STUDIOS OPEN HOUSE
Date & Time: September 13 from 5 PM – 10 PM
This list of open studios in Detroit should give you plenty of options to choose from. Custer Studios Open House is a chance for the community to step inside Custer Studios to explore a collection of artist workspaces in North End Detroit. Witness a multitude of disciplines in production from fabrication to fashion and music. Follow @custerstudios on Instagram for program updates and announcements. Click HERE to RSVP.
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