PRISM was a three day weekend experience in late April, presented by Art Groupie in collaboration with PLAYGROUND DETROIT. Supported by the IRL Together Fund – a grant program powered by the leading group messaging platform, IRL – the weekend brought together hundreds of Detroiters with three special events with the aim of centering positivity, healing, and joy.  

PRISM kicked off with The Gem Spa on Friday, April 29th, with light artist Gerald Collins‘ site-specific art installation illuminated the live musicians, DJs and performers, including a special performance by Ahya Simone– and Don Juan, Kamiko, Donavan Glover (featured image) and Malik, who each brought their own energy into the space. On Saturday, Neon Gutz was MFN party with a light installation by Patrick Ethen (installation above) and DJ sets by Kamiko, DJ ETTA, Malik, Salakastar, Kamiko, and Ninety9.

Photography credits: Jazzymn Graves @posedispose @jagalexus

Castalia at Sfumato, a local experimental craft cocktail bar, has created custom cocktails paired with different scents in collaboration with American Liquor Co.

On the last day Sunday, STRETCH closed the weekend with a community sound-bath led by Sophiyah E. and yoga session with an herbal tea-station in partnership with CTYHOP, Afro Moone, Aretha Spa and floral installation from Honey Bee Flowers.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS:

Art Groupie is an ever-expanding Detroit based collective whose mission is to create experiences that bring people together. Founded in 2019, while the founders were in Montego Bay, Jamaica by Jason Rickett and Day Rickett, the collective has since expanded to include Micah Shumake and Corey Johnson. As a collective they are interested in creating spaces to give artists and art groupies alike the opportunity to explore, experiment, and co-create. 

PLAYGROUND DETROIT is an art gallery and creative agency based in Detroit, MI established in 2012. As a social enterprise, the mission is to support and develop opportunities for creative professionals, artists and residents in order to enhance and sustain Detroit’s creative economy.

Stretch the Culture is an organization born from the desire to Exchange, Empower, Enlighten and Expand the culture, founded by Detroit Native Corey Johnson. Johnson has created a platform through Podcasting and Community-based events. The mission and goal of its programming is to lead and “stretch the culture” with an emphasis on Wellness and elevated experiences through entertainment.

ABOUT IRL

IRL is the leading group messaging social network that brings people together through groups, events, and community engagement. With over 20M active users who send 120M+ messages a day, IRL is the place to discover and connect with communities across all your interests.  Founded in 2018, IRL’s mission has been rooted in combating loneliness and creating a corner of the internet where intimate relationship-building thrives over superficial encounters, a scenario that is especially prevalent amongst Gen Zers and Millennials.

Its latest initiative, IRL Together Fund, is a unique, $5 million community-centered grant and mentorship program that gives people the opportunity to create events and communities that drive cultural impact and encourage re-integrating into the world following a global public health crisis. Interested participants can apply to the Together Fund on an ongoing basis, with recipients accepted throughout the year. Funds are provided to recipients in varying amounts depending on event details and logistics. For more info, please visit www.irl.com.  

Join our IRL communities! PLAYGROUND DETROIT and Art Groupie for upcoming event updates.

The post Who + What We Saw at PRISM: A Three Day Weekend Experience appeared first on PLAYGROUND DETROIT.