Hamtramck Star

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 12, 2010

Contact: Mary Trybus

“Public Pool” Art Space Opens in Hamtramck With Arena Rock Dance Party by Artist Tim Hailey

Although Hamtramck's highly recognized Design99 closed its storefront office/gallery, its art-for-all vibe lives on. Design99 contributor and ‘zine publisher Steve Hughes is spearheading a new project to inhabit the Caniff Street space: Public Pool. Public Pool is a new art cooperative looking to create and support a wide range of contemporary art experiences. Founding members include Hughes and his wife, artist Anne Harrington-Hughes, artist/curator Tim Hailey, who’s also the former co-director of New York City non-profit gallery HEREart, advertising-industry creatives Mary Trybus and Jim Boyle, who is also a former Detroit Institute of Arts executive, author and Team Detroit creative director Toby Barlow, and Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) board member Jessie Doan.

Public Pool’s first show will be a solo installation and dance party by member artist Hailey. Opening Friday night March 26, Take a Chance on Rock and Roll LIVE constructs a utopian vision of Arena Rock, featuring large murals painted on Tyvek. According to Hailey, with the lurid, international failures of politics and religion, the world needs the utopian vision of Arena Rock like never before. He brings it to life here (visit timhaileyworld.com). Interested parties can find the artist working in the gallery most days and nights between March 16 and the 26. Interns looking to assist Hailey, or help out at the gallery can e-mail Public Pool at publicpoolhamtramck@gmail.com.

Last year Design99 presented the Art of Stupor exhibit, documenting the aesthetic of Hughes’ legendary ‘zine (Stupor). Much of that aesthetic over the years has involved the work of Hailey. Hughes then co-curated (along with Detroit designer Nina Bianchi) the well-reviewed Duplicator show at Design99, so expect a somewhat seamless transition to Public Pool. The co-op will both coordinate and execute its own shows, and invite other artists to share their ideas in the space. Also expect live music performances, readings and burlesque.

PUBLIC POOL: Pooling resources. Pooling ideas. A fluid exchange. A place for people to strip down and swim. A place for everyone. It’s good. Public Pool is located at 3309 Caniff in Hamtramck, Contact 313.506.9048 or e-mail publicpoolhamtramck@gmail.com. Special thanks to Traffic Jam Restaurant for supply support and beer.