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Ceramicist grows career through Ann Arbor Art Fair

A successful first fair helped the Detroit artist launch a full-time ceramics business.

News

For <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Detroit artist" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/26/beginner-guide-collecting-local-art" data-vars-content-id="11b295f9-e490-429e-9b0b-f55381b25304" data-vars-headline="Ceramicist grows career through Ann Arbor Art Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/26/beginner-guide-collecting-local-art" target="_self">Detroit artist</a> Genevieve VanZandt, the Ann Arbor Art Fair proved she could make a living as a full-time artist.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="VanZandt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.genevievevanzandt.com/" data-vars-content-id="11b295f9-e490-429e-9b0b-f55381b25304" data-vars-headline="Ceramicist grows career through Ann Arbor Art Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.genevievevanzandt.com/" target="_blank">VanZandt</a> is among dozens of Detroit-area artists at this month&#x27;s fair — one of the country&#x27;s largest and among <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="several upcoming fairs across the region" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/01/summer-art-fairs-guide-2026-michigan" data-vars-content-id="11b295f9-e490-429e-9b0b-f55381b25304" data-vars-headline="Ceramicist grows career through Ann Arbor Art Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/06/01/summer-art-fairs-guide-2026-michigan" target="_self">several upcoming fairs across the region</a>.

Letter to Sheffield offers glimpse into youth gathering response

A newly obtained letter reveals business concerns before the city's summer strategy was fully implemented.

Business

The Downtown Detroit Partnership urged Mayor Mary Sheffield&#x27;s administration in May to take stronger action against troublesome youth gatherings that had raised concerns among downtown businesses, per a letter from the group obtained by Axios.Why it matters: The letter captures early anxiety around the time of highly publicized <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spring &quot;teen takeovers.&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/2026/06/inside-detroits-teen-takeovers-whats-driving-the-summer-trend.html" data-vars-content-id="009de37e-8c2a-4d8e-a409-4ce340f7773a" data-vars-headline="Letter to Sheffield offers glimpse into youth gathering response" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/2026/06/inside-detroits-teen-takeovers-whats-driving-the-summer-trend.html" target="_blank">spring &quot;teen takeovers.&quot;</a>

Michigan has eighth highest liquor taxes in nation

Michigan has the eighth highest tax on distilled spirits in the country.

Food and Drink

Michiganders pay more in taxes for their liquor than in most other states, a tax research group finds.Why it matters: Alcohol taxes vary dramatically from state to state, meaning the same can of beer, glass of wine or fancy cocktail can cost significantly more depending on where you order it.

Where to find a trendy Hugo spritz in Metro Detroit

Where to find the Hugo spritz in Metro Detroit.

The spritz is looking a little less orange these days.The big picture: Although Aperol spritz remains a warm-weather staple, the pale green Hugo spritz — typically made with Prosecco, elderflower liqueur and soda water with mint and lime for garnish — is emerging as a major summer cocktail.

New hub aims to support local filmmakers

Free workspaces, screenings and artist residencies are coming to Detroit's Little Village.

Culture

Local filmmakers are getting a new early-career support center on the east side.Why it matters: Detroit&#x27;s arts community includes a long tradition of filmmaking, but some feel there&#x27;s limited opportunity to screen local films, learn and share ideas across the industry.

Detroit hands solar projects to DTE

The transfer prevents further delays, but also presents a costly and controversial change.

Environment

Detroit City Council approved a plan to transfer three neighborhood <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="solar projects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/07/10/detroit-city-council-considers-neighborhood-solar-fields" data-vars-content-id="2713fa34-62bc-466f-9606-8d3c61ef8341" data-vars-headline="Detroit hands solar projects to DTE" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/07/10/detroit-city-council-considers-neighborhood-solar-fields" target="_self">solar projects</a> to DTE Energy&#x27;s purview.The big picture: The switch away from Boston-based contractor Lightstar Renewables is needed so the solar developments can move forward without further delay, city officials say.

Detroit PBS nears groundbreaking on new headquarters

Construction could begin this summer as fundraising tops 70% of goal.

Detroit PBS is preparing to break ground on its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-planned headquarters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/07/30/detroit-pbs-headquarters-move-funding-cuts" data-vars-content-id="2366a298-8b0a-4f65-ae68-df1fda9ca48b" data-vars-headline="Detroit PBS nears groundbreaking on new headquarters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/07/30/detroit-pbs-headquarters-move-funding-cuts" target="_self">long-planned headquarters</a> in the Milwaukee Junction neighborhood with fundraising support following last year&#x27;s federal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public media cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/07/22/wdet-faces-federal-funding-cuts" data-vars-content-id="2366a298-8b0a-4f65-ae68-df1fda9ca48b" data-vars-headline="Detroit PBS nears groundbreaking on new headquarters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/07/22/wdet-faces-federal-funding-cuts" target="_self">public media cuts</a>.Why it matters: The project will bring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Detroit PBS" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroitpbs.org/" data-vars-content-id="2366a298-8b0a-4f65-ae68-df1fda9ca48b" data-vars-headline="Detroit PBS nears groundbreaking on new headquarters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroitpbs.org/" target="_blank">Detroit PBS</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="90.9 WRCJ" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wrcjfm.org/" data-vars-content-id="2366a298-8b0a-4f65-ae68-df1fda9ca48b" data-vars-headline="Detroit PBS nears groundbreaking on new headquarters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wrcjfm.org/" target="_blank">90.9 WRCJ</a>, a classical and jazz station, under the same roof for the first time, creating a new space for public media programming and community events.

CPA Building on the market again in Corktown

The building near Michigan Central is for sale for $2.5 million.

Real Estate

It feels like the right time to try again to sell the long-vacant <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CPA Building" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/18/cancer-survivors-sought-for-portraits-planned-on-corktown-building" data-vars-content-id="93277ae7-360b-4eeb-9971-dca5faa935af" data-vars-headline="CPA Building on the market again in Corktown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/18/cancer-survivors-sought-for-portraits-planned-on-corktown-building" target="_self">CPA Building</a> on a well-known corner of Corktown, ownership representative Robert Zalkin tells Axios.The big picture: The wedge-shaped, six-story building across from Michigan Central is now listed for $2.5 million by O&#x27;Connor Real Estate in the quick-changing, price-rising neighborhood near downtown.

Detroit neighborhood solar projects seek shift to DTE

The switch could raise costs, but help avoid more delays.

Detroit plans to transfer three neighborhood <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="solar projects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/07/10/detroit-city-council-considers-neighborhood-solar-fields" data-vars-content-id="fe1c4028-fc9f-4759-98f6-7e7acbbbb730" data-vars-headline="Detroit neighborhood solar projects seek shift to DTE" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/07/10/detroit-city-council-considers-neighborhood-solar-fields" target="_self">solar projects</a> to DTE Energy after its original Boston-based contractor exited solar development following a private-equity acquisition.Why it matters: The switch from Lightstar Renewables will likely involve higher costs, though a final price tag isn&#x27;t known yet.

Detroit City Chatter: New civil rights hire

Plus, more additions to an influential economic development board.

Politics

Welcome back to our weekly city policy roundup.💼 Hiring news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jade Mathis" data-vars-click-url="https://jadeemathis.com/" data-vars-content-id="b6d1e066-446f-4fc3-93d2-0b6321f3503f" data-vars-headline="Detroit City Chatter: New civil rights hire" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://jadeemathis.com/" target="_blank">Jade Mathis</a>, a civil rights attorney, public speaker and mental health advocate, is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="next director" data-vars-click-url="https://detroitmi.gov/news/mayor-mary-sheffield-appoints-jade-e-mathis-director-civil-rights-inclusion-opportunity-megan" data-vars-content-id="b6d1e066-446f-4fc3-93d2-0b6321f3503f" data-vars-headline="Detroit City Chatter: New civil rights hire" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://detroitmi.gov/news/mayor-mary-sheffield-appoints-jade-e-mathis-director-civil-rights-inclusion-opportunity-megan" target="_blank">next director</a> of Detroit&#x27;s Civil Rights, Inclusion &amp; Opportunity Department. Much of her past work has focused on criminal justice reform.

Cancer survivors sought for portraits planned on Corktown building

Cancer survivors, family members and caregivers are sought for portraits on the historic CPA Building.

Health

An arts nonprofit is still seeking participants for a public art exhibition in Corktown featuring 103 portraits of local cancer survivors and family members.The big picture: Grand Rapids-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lions &amp; Rabbits Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lionsandrabbits.com/placemaking/detroit" data-vars-content-id="57be8e61-7a3b-45c1-8161-e09f728867dc" data-vars-headline="Cancer survivors sought for portraits planned on Corktown building" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lionsandrabbits.com/placemaking/detroit" target="_blank">Lions &amp; Rabbits Center</a> plans to install prints of hand-painted portraits on the wedge-shaped CPA Building at a prominent corner of Michigan Avenue, across from Michigan Central.

Detroit hotel boom aims to attract more events

More than 1,600 new hotel rooms are planned across downtown.

Downtown&#x27;s hotel pipeline is ramping up to attract more events and conventions.Why it matters: More than 1,600 new hotel rooms are slated to come online — about a 25% increase from today&#x27;s roughly 6,000 rooms, per Visit Detroit.<ul><li>The added capacity will help the city attract major events beyond next year&#x27;s NCAA men&#x27;s Final Four at Ford Field, tourism officials say.</li></ul>

Questions remain on Michigan Central transit hub cost

Officials say the final price won't be set until the design phase wraps in 2027.

The final cost of Michigan Central&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposed transit hub" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/02/07/scoop-amtrak-mdot-michigan-central-train-bus-station" data-vars-content-id="4da7f4ef-9469-4ac7-9e08-45b9cbd1dc81" data-vars-headline="Questions remain on Michigan Central transit hub cost" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/02/07/scoop-amtrak-mdot-michigan-central-train-bus-station" target="_self">proposed transit hub</a> won&#x27;t be clear until at least 2027, once the project completes its design phase.Why it matters: The long-planned transit hub in Corktown is a key step toward modernizing Detroit&#x27;s transit system and connecting the region to national and international rail networks.

Food halls see success in suburbs, report finds

It's another sign of how remote work has changed where we spend our happy hours and our weekends.

While big cities may have built the food hall industry&#x27;s brand, the nation&#x27;s next wave of food hall projects will be built in the suburbs.Why it matters: That takeaway from a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="State of Food Halls" data-vars-click-url="https://colicchioconsulting.com/state-of-food-halls-2026/" data-vars-content-id="541cb663-2e5f-4cab-a6c4-4422df895bdf" data-vars-headline="Food halls see success in suburbs, report finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://colicchioconsulting.com/state-of-food-halls-2026/" target="_blank">State of Food Halls</a> report is another sign of how<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" remote work" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/05/26/minnesota-remote-work-highest-states-hybrid" data-vars-content-id="541cb663-2e5f-4cab-a6c4-4422df895bdf" data-vars-headline="Food halls see success in suburbs, report finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/05/26/minnesota-remote-work-highest-states-hybrid" target="_self"> remote work</a> has changed where we spend our happy hours and our weekends.

Development 🏗️

New hub aims to support local filmmakers

Detroit hands solar projects to DTE

Detroit PBS nears groundbreaking on new headquarters

CPA Building on the market again in Corktown

Detroit neighborhood solar projects seek shift to DTE