ART 4 ART’S SAKE
INVEST IN art & SUPPORT THE BRIGHTMOOR MAKERFEST
The Brightmoor Makerspace is a revolutionary, grassroots educational initiative in Detroit that is providing opportunities for students to engage in high level craft, experiential learning, and community collaboration.
The program takes place all year and includes woodshop, jewelry-making, t-shirt design, and film. Additionally, over the summer, the students engage in park restoration and event planning for the celebration of the summer program culmination: MAKERFEST (July 25 + 26)
MAKER FEST
The 2-day MAKERFEST festival invites the broader community into the makerspace to celebrate the students’ creations and embody this year’s theme, beloved community.
Here the students have the opportunity to showcase and sell their art, plan a large-scale event, lead activities, and be celebrated for their efforts.
This is a huge part of the broader goal of the Brightmoor Makerspace initiative: building creative confidence.
Check out the below video to get an idea of the makerspace, MAKERFEST, and to meet some of the students.
Help Make MakerFest Possible
You can support MAKER FEST by:
Our goal is to raise $3650 which is budgeted out as follows:
$1000 / day for food & drink
$600 for security
$750 for musicians
$300 for interactive art activities
COMMISSION A HAND-CARVED SIGN
All summer, the makers in the woodshop are busy carving, woodburning and painting beautiful signs. These can be commissioned to support MakerFest and the Makerspace.
The signs range from $100-$1500 depending on size and complexity.
Signs can be for businesses, house numbers, inspirational words, images, names…
Below are a few examples of work. Contact barteddy45@gmail.com for commission inquiries.
ORDER AN ART PRINT
Artist Bella Toso, who is involved in organizing the program this year, is offering fine art prints from her latest series of work to support the fundraiser.
The works are all centered around themes of renewal, transformation, and liberation.
“Art is more than something hanging on your wall, it is a statement. By investing in these prints, you are supporting the intention of setting art free, and building creative confidence in our young people.”
60 prints would fully fund MakerFest.
If one of the works speaks to you, we hope you'll consider purchasing one for yourself, or as a gift for someone you love.
A4 (8.27 x 11.69 inches) print of 2026 original artwork by B Toso entitled Alchemy.
Alchemy is the inner process of transformation that happens when we strive towards our ideals and are transformed in the process.
All proceeds towards supporting the 2026 Brightmoor Maker Fest.
A4 (8.27 x 11.69 inches) print of 2026 original artwork by B Toso entitled Leela.
Leela, from Sanskrit, translates to “divine play” or “cosmic game” and suggests that all of reality is a spontaneous, joyous expression of the divine.
All proceeds towards supporting the 2026 Brightmoor Maker Fest.
A4 (8.27 x 11.69 inches) print of 2026 original artwork by B Toso entitled Cosmic Balance.
Cosmic balance is the state of harmony and equilibrium among the cosmic forces which can be embodied on Earth in the form of peace.
All proceeds towards supporting the 2026 Brightmoor Maker Fest.
BACKGROUND
The Brightmoor Maker Space was developed as an after-school program at Detroit Community Schools in 2009 in collaboration with Sunbridge International Collaborative (a non-profit dedicated to helping young people discover their sense of agency and purpose through project-based learning), and partners including the University of Michigan Stamps School of Art & Design. Young people engage in a variety of hands-on activities including woodworking; fashion design; robotics and fixing used electronics; film; land stewardship; event planning; and jewelry and textiles (with the College of Creative Studies). These programs stem from a larger educational philosophy centered around hands-on, experiential learning and self-development, with a focus on social entrepreneurship and empowerment. In this way, the Brightmoor Maker Space functions as more than an extracurricular activity or summer camp, it is a sanctuary space for creativity, learning, and community-building. Maker Fest is organized in collaboration with partners including Dream Awake, Super Hero Training Academy and Heal AuRT (a nonprofit dedicated to healing humanity through the Arts, Education, Practical Work & Community Well-Being).