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Brick and Mortar Collective Fundraiser: July 24

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On July 24th, the Brick and Mortar Collective, a group equity housing co-operative that includes Stamps alums Ian Matchett (BFA 2014) and Lyz Luidens (BFA 2013), will launch their fundraising campaign to renovate their recently purchased 7000 square foot duplex on Detroit’s East Side with a public event in the Riopelle Collective Studio in Eastern Market (1492 Gratiot Ave). The event is open to the public beginning at 7pm at Riopelle, and will include live music, a silent auction, a presentation on the project, light refreshments, and a suggested $10 donation at the door. Tours of the house (1480 Bewick) will also be open to the public from 6pm — 7pm.

The Brick and Mortar Collective is a group equity housing co-operative comprised of young artists, activists, and community builders: Ian Matchett, Lyz Luidens, Zachariah Wahid, Sarah Brennan, Teia McGahey, and Nikki Roach. The collective will provide sustainably low cost of living to members who will own a share of the co-operative as member-owners, while pursuing social justice, artistic, and community building values and activities within and outside of the house. The fundraiser will include a chance to tour the duplex before heading to Riopelle for a presentation on the goals, values, and plans for the Brick and Mortar Collective by its current members, live music, a silent auction of art and services, and light refreshments.

Most of us have already been living co-operatively together for the past year, several of us for longer than that,” says Lyz Luidens, one of the members. Brick house is about cooperative living with the intentional values of pursuring sustainability, creativity, dependable community.” Lyz, Sarah, and Ian are all artist members of the Riopelle Collective Studio. Ian is also a statewide student organizer. Nikki Roach is a graphic and web designer alum of CCS, Zachariah works at Back Alley Bikes, and Teia is a student at UM Dearborn while she actively participates in a variety of organizations in Detroit.

The Brick and Mortar Collective is hosting this fundraiser to kick off the fundraising campaign that they hope will put some of the major repairs the house will need within their financial reach. They plan to hire local contractors who can teach the co-op members some of the basics of renovation, beginning with the major systems like plumbing, heating, and electrical systems so that they can do as much of the repair work themselves as possible.

The Brick and Mortar Collective Fundraiser
July 24, 7pm — 11pm
Riopelle Studio in Eastern Market — 1492 Gratiot Ave
Tours will take place from 6 — 7pm at 1480 Bewick before the rest of the event begins. 

For more information: 
Brick and Mortar Collective | Facebook
Winter is Coming! Brick House Fund | GoFundMe