New Wyandotte Art Gallery Features Local Artists from Across Downriver

The pale, orange brick walls of a historic firehouse in Wyandotte were transformed Thursday with art created by local artists from Downriver and Detroit, for the grand opening of the Firehouse Gallery & Cafe.

One of the gallery owners, Stephanie Mazza, 43, of Harper Woods, said the grand opening was a huge success.

The Firehouse Gallery is located at 2011 Oak Street in the home of the Downriver and Detroit Business Association and features over 60 artists from the Downriver area--including some from Wyandotte.

Mazza said she and her business partners, Laura Wyett of Dearborn Heights and Kevin Carnahan of Detroit, used the social media platform Facebook and the web-based classifieds service Craigslist to drum up art to fill the gallery.

"There was a line of artists out the door," Mazza said. "We picked what we liked, but we ran out of room."

Mazza said she, regrettably, had to turn away over 40 artists.

Firehouse Gallery features art from local artists Paul Robertson, Miguel Rey and Tom Cromboli--to name a few.

Linda Leone of Riverview said she saw the Firehouse Gallery's sign on Oak Street and stopped in Wednesday to incite her passion for art of many disciplines.

"I think the whole display is very attractive," Leone said.

Leone added she planned to tell her art-loving friends about the Firehouse Gallery and assured Mazza she would be back.

Despite the successful grand opening, Mazza said she and her business partners have planned a second grand opening--a grand, grand opening--set for 7 p.m. April 25 at the Firehouse Gallery & Cafe.

Ten percent of the proceeds from the grand, grand opening will benefit the American Cancer Society.

Go to the Firehouse Gallery & Cafe Facebook page for more information.