Resident Artists

We provide artists with an incubator space to create their art in a dynamic environment. Located all throughout the building, the leased studios provide professional artists with an affordable space in which to practice their artistic disciplines, while at the same time allowing them to be part of a cultural and lively creative community. These artists range in discipline from painting, printmaking, film, drawing, jewelry, music, time-based media, and culinary arts. As interest in being part of this dynamic endeavor continues to grow, the DCA seeks innovative ways to envision how existing spaces may be renovated to accommodate additional artists.

Are you interested in becoming a resident at the DCA? Resident artists enjoy 24-hour access to the arts center, private studio space, opportunities to hold open houses, share common areas like kitchens and restrooms, participation in art exhibits, free and discounted entry fees for DCA events, plus an infinite amount of opportunities! Studios come in all shapes, sizes and costs, and are leased on a monthly basis. We are open to all artistic disciplines and careful consideration goes into selecting good fits with our creative environment. Fill out the application here. To see some of the studios and renovations, go to our blog on the journey to becoming a thriving arts community.

Studio H - Dan McAfeeDan is a fine art painter concentrating in Christian-based religious iconology. — **Studio A - Dan McAfee**
Dan is a retired director of worship for the Archdiocese of Detroit and a fine art painter concentrating in Christian-based religious iconology. His work analyzes complex thoughts and ideas of religion, embracing traditional and pointilism painting techniques. Dan feels a constant need to be creating and uses it as an outlet to express and reaffirm his Christian faith. He feels that art making is considered a spiritual experience.

**Studio B - Donna Boisseau Hinson**
Donna teaches classes through the DCA for children and adults, including the DCA’s Youth Art classes and the DCA’s Youth Summer Art Camps. Previously Donna was the owner/operator of a gallery and studio on Grosse Ile, and now focuses her paintings on relationships between people, self and the larger society. She is interested in what makes us who we are and how we interact with one another, how the larger world influences us and how we influence the world. Many of her pieces rely on nuanced balance and simplicity, and can be described best as intimate looks at ideas and feelings. View her art here.

Studio C - Andrew MorselloAndy joined the resident artists at the DCA in the Spring of 2021. Art has always allowed a peaceful quieting of his mind and a opening up for creating colors with textures showing his life experiences. What manifest naturally is Hope, something he could not live without. — **Studio C - Andrew Morsello**
Andy joined the resident artists at the DCA in the Spring of 2021. Art has always allowed a peaceful quieting of his mind and an opening up for creating colors with textures showing his life experiences. What manifests naturally is Hope, something he could not live without. View more of his art here.

Studio D - Jen BalcomJen is a healing arts advocate administering massage therapy as a licensed massage therapist in the state of Michigan since 2008. She also creates a broad range of craft pieces ranging from quirky cross-stitch to jewelry and epo… — **Studio D - Jen Balcom**
Jen is a healing arts advocate and a licensed massage therapist in the state of Michigan. She creates a broad range of craft pieces ranging from quirky cross-stitch to jewelry and epoxy tumblers. She has been a frequent exhibitor through local artist fairs including the Downriver Indie Art Fair. Jen also works closely with her artist, musician and charity-fundraising organizer husband, Michael Balcom, at raising their two busy boys. More information can be found here.

Studio I - Tim and Michele PorterTimothy Porter is an artist, designer and illustrator in the Downriver Michigan Area of Metropolitan Detroit. Porter’s early career focused on advertising design and illustration where he brought a fine arts approach… — **Studio E - Tim and Michele Porter**
Timothy Porter is an artist, designer and illustrator in the Downriver Michigan Area of Metropolitan Detroit. Porter’s early career focused on advertising design and illustration where he brought a fine arts approach to the more corporate field of graphic design by developing projects for national and international clients including Sony, Tide, ESPN and Merril Lynch and locally, with clients such as Perrelli Tire, American Axel and the City of Detroit.
Porter has been recognized with many Addy and IABC Awards for his designs, as well as being highly regarded fine artist honored with prizes and one-person exhibitions.
Porter has most recently focused on his fine art by creating enigmatic acrylic and transparent watercolor paintings. These works have been featured in prominent regional/national art exhibitions and galleries, including the internationally recognized Art Prize held in Grand Rapids, Michigan. See more of his work here.
Michele Porter is an Academic Services Officer III in the Department of Art and Art History at Wayne State University (WSU) where she advises primarily undergraduate students, provides detailed reporting, analysis and projections on student enrollment and academic progress in her area, and provides additional support to the department whenever, and wherever, she is needed.
Michele actively exhibits artwork and presents professionally about how a student earning a university degree in the fine and performing arts contributes to the value of a culturally literate society. She notes that the greatest accomplishments and rewards of her professional life are realized when she sees each student reach graduation as they pass through the James Pearson Duffy Department of Art and Art History.

**Studio F- Morgan Porter**
My pieces serve exploration of oneself. The interest I have in psychology and public relations is a large inspiration for my artistic endeavor. The visceral nature individuals have with themselves and others is a major focus within my work. I aim to understand the delicate balance between instinct and intention, the macabre and amiable, and other complementary forces necessary for natural equilibrium. I also aim to invoke a sense of reflection within the community through my work.

Studio G - Scott A. GaleskiScott is an award winning independent filmmaker and a retired police detective from Downriver Detroit, Michigan. His long-term commitment as a coach and mentor to at-risk and disadvantaged youth, in combination with his la… — **Studio G - Scott A. Galeski**
Scott is an award winning independent filmmaker and a retired police detective from Downriver Detroit, Michigan. His long-term commitment as a coach and mentor to at-risk and disadvantaged youth, in combination with his law enforcement career has given him a unique insite into filmmaking. In 2009 Galeski founded Ring of Fire Entertainment which has produced over 30 independent films and music videos that have screened throughout the world. He has worked as a technical advisor with HBO, Tri-Star Pictures and other production companies, provides executive security for Actor Jeff Daniels and has served as a road manager for Detroit Rock Legend, Mitch Ryder. In 2016 he founded the Downriver Detroit Student Film Consortium diversely consisting of students from Detroit and Downriver area schools.

**Studio H - Jami Krause**
Jami received her Bachelors Degree from Eastern Michigan University in 2004 where she studied Music under Professors Ruthann Wagner, Glenda Kirkland, Pirooz Aghssa, Oscar Henry, and the late Dr. Leonard Riccinto. She also received a graduate certificate in Vocal Pedagogy from the Voice Pedagogy Institute at Westminster Conservatory of Music in 2023. She is a member of the American Guild of Music and the Michigan Music Association. Jami previously worked at Dance Electric Studio and Canton Premiere Dance where she taught voice and musical theatre classes. She has also been the Drama Director at several public schools in Michigan and is currently the Vocal Director for Trenton High School's drama program. Jami is very active in community theatre, having performed and directed with several groups including the Downriver Actors Guild, Southgate Community Players, Dexter Players and Ann Arbor Civic Theatre. Jami values the use of performing arts as a tool for engaging students and fostering development. She has taught voice privately since 2008 and enjoys inspiring young people to love the arts. She believes in working with each singer's instrument individually and helping them to develop at their own pace. Jami teaches singing to help students create a beautiful and healthy voice, focusing on tone, correct placement of the voice, breath management, and musicality. She also incorporates music theory into her lessons and helps students with performance confidence while achieving vocal success. Jami has been teaching downriver since 2016, and has been a resident artist at the Downriver Council for the Arts since 2019. Jami offers two recitals per year, and many students also participate in music competitions.

Studio A - Be Well My FriendsBe Well My Friends is a non-profit fundraising organization founded and administered by Brian Webb of Riverview and Michael Balcom of Wyandotte. Their primary mission is to become the helping hands to those in need in th… — **Studio I - Be Well My Friends**
Be Well My Friends is a non-profit fundraising organization founded and administered by Brian Webb of Riverview and Michael Balcom of Wyandotte. Their primary mission is to become the helping hands to those in need in the Downriver Community. Their 8 year history of charitable work began with the first Annual Wyandotte Zombie Pub Crawl which, to date, has raised over $60k for the Yes Ma’am free mammogram program through Wyandotte Henry Ford Hospital. Currently they are working with local restaurants and online fundraising to provide free lunches to front-line workers at the Wyandotte Henry Ford Hospital throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Studio J - Nicole Gillies & Sharon LesperanceSharon and Nicole, a mother/daughter traditional-crafts team herald from Trenton, Michigan. Sharon worked for nearly 20 years as a craftswoman specializing in textiles, ceramics and tinwork at Gr… — **Studio J - Nicole Gillies & Sharon Lesperance**
Sharon and Nicole, a mother/daughter traditional-crafts team herald from Trenton, Michigan. Sharon worked for nearly 20 years as a craftswoman specializing in textiles, ceramics and tinwork at Greenfield Village located on the grounds of The Henry Ford. Nicole, a fiber artist specializing in 2-D and 3-D felted pieces, wearable art and decorative elements with natural textures/floral elements, teaches classes/workshops through the DCA in felting and surface design in textiles. See more here.

**Studio K - Kitchen available!**
Our kitchen space is ready for its next resident artist! This is a perfect opportunity for entrepreneurs, cottage industries, or craft persons. We do not have an oven/stove. We are open to negotiations and are willing to work with what you need.

**Studio R - Sarah Kowalski**
My name is Sarah Kowalski and I'm a current resident artist at the Downriver Council for the Arts. I am also a graduate student at Eastern Michigan University studying arts administration. I previously graduated from Wayne State University with an Art History bachelors degree. My passion is art, and I strive to make it a part of my life within both my career and my leisure activities. Oil, acrylic, and charcoal are my favorite mediums to work with, but I love exploring new ways to create. I am originally from the downriver area so it has been my home for 29 years now. I look forward to working with the Downriver Council for the Arts for a long time and helping the organization succeed in its mission.

Studio ST - Joe HoslerJoe is an artist who has spent the last 5 years creating artworks that deliver an impact and have a story to tell. He works in various mediums and is not limited to aerosol paints, airbrush, acrylics, pencil, and ink. As he is … — **Studio ST - Joe Hosler**
Joe is an artist who has spent the last 5 years creating artworks that deliver an impact and have a story to tell. He works in various mediums and is not limited to aerosol paints, airbrush, acrylics, pencil, and ink. As he is growing in popularity, he has been commissioned to create various murals in the Downriver community. His work can be seen on Instagram here.

Studio F - DagdaJoey Dagda aka Dagda is an American Recording Artist, Song Writer, and Producer. After developing a buzz in the underground with the single "Very Afraid" ft. Hopsin, he garnered main stream celebrity when his hit single “After Party”… — **Studio TGR - Dagda**
Joey Dagda aka Dagda is an American Recording Artist, Song Writer, and Producer. After developing a buzz in the underground with the single "Very Afraid" ft. Hopsin, he garnered main stream celebrity when his hit single “After Party” hit FM airwaves in 2011. Next he would perform across the country and tour the mid west. In 2012 Dagda signed with Beats At Will Records and released two projects “The Black Irish E.P.” (2013) and “Bar Soap” the all original produced mix-tape (2015). Along side Kuniva (D12) and Fatt Father (Fat Killaz) he co-hosted the "Shi*t Can Happen" podcast (2018/19). Since 2016 Dagda has mentored the award winning students of the Downriver Detroit Student Film Consortium. He also works as a model, actor, voice artist, graphic design artist, organizer and aspiring activist. Dagda is currently working on new projects under his own independent imprint Layin'Low Records. Stay up to date at DagdaMusic.com.