In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, the Southwest Artists’ Network of Detroit presents: ERIK HOWARD | INSIDE SOUTHWEST DETROIT, a photo documentary of life in southwest Detroit from May 2 – May 28, 2010 and curated by Vito Jesus Valdez.

Opening reception: Sunday May 2, 2010, 2:30-6:30pm at the Mexicantown International Mercado, GM Galeria 2826 Bagley, Detroit 48216

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday that commemorates the victory over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.  It is observed as a celebration of Mexican pride.  The exhibition, sponsored by SWAN-Detroit, is part of a weekend of festivities to recognize the holiday.

Erik Howard is a photographer and community activist from southwest Detroit who combines his passion for youth and community development with his love of photography. Using group activities such as lowriding and graffiti art as a mentoring tool, Erik has been able to reach out to young people in the community of southwest Detroit. Erik Howard’s photographs document his personal relationships with these youth and his interactions in the neighborhood.  They capture the excitement of young people in their process of self discovery and development with southwest Detroit as the backdrop.  The exhibit will highlight Expressions, the southwest Detroit youth group that Howard co-founded in part to provide safe, creative outlets for at-risk youth.  Much of their activities centered around cars, photography and graffiti art.

An itinerary of the weekend festivities includes the following events on Sunday May 2nd:

·The annual Cinco de Mayo Parade sponsored by the Mexican Patriotic Committee, from noon – 2pm.   Numerous lowriders will join the parade, many of whom grew up in southwest Detroit and were mentors to Erik Howard.

·Immediately following the parade will be the Blessing of the Lowriders by Father Thomas Sepulveda of historic St. Anne’s Church.  The blessing will take place on the Mercado Plaza.

·The Inside Southwest Detroit reception and exhibition will follow the blessing, in the GM Galeria inside the Mercado, from 2:30pm – 6:30pm.

The Galeria will also be open on May 5th from 2pm – 8pm, to coincide with the long-awaited grand opening of the Mexicantown Bagley Avenue Pedestrian Bridge and Plaza, and Cinco de Mayo festivities, directly across from the Mercado.  These events are free and open to the public. Gallery hours for this exhibit are Fridays and Saturdays, 5-8pm, or by appointment.   For more information about the artist visit www.erikhoward.info