Juneteenth, mural deadline TOMORROW, & Tuesday is a big one. Come through.
I am not going to pretend this is a light week. It is not. It is Juneteenth week, our curation group picks THE pieces on Tuesday, a mural deadline is literally tomorrow, and I haven't even gotten to t
WOO HOO, Steven!
I am not going to pretend this is a light week. It is not. It is Juneteenth week, our curation group picks THE pieces on Tuesday, a mural deadline is literally tomorrow, and I haven't even gotten to the open mics and anniversary parties yet. Consider this newsletter a loving shove in the right direction. Let's move.
(Psssst...Want the Linkage Public Newsletter Too? Just shoot Frannie an email) frannie@linkagecommunity.org
DEADLINE TOMORROW: Chelsea DDA Mural Program 2026 Michigan muralists, this one's for you and the clock is ticking. The City of Chelsea is commissioning a public mural at Palmer Commons on South Main Street — $12,000 budget, outdoor, roughly 10x10 feet. Michigan artists preferred, all styles welcome. Apply Here
[Image: Pontiac Rising, 2025]
LINKAGE EVENTS THIS WEEK
Coffee & Chat | Every Monday — 9am till whenever Bedhead welcome. No agenda, no judgment, just your people. Come for five minutes or two hours. Join the Zoom
CURATION SESSION 2: Hope Transforms Possibilities — Selection & Story Order | Tuesday, June 16 — 9–10am We have the nominations. Now we pick. This session is where our curation group selects the 10 pieces that will form the exhibition and arranges them into a narrative arc. Every piece carries part of the story — our job is figuring out which parts, and in what order. Poets, have your audio pre-recorded and ready to share. Come having done three things: 1. Look through the nominations deck and pick 3–4 pieces you'd go to bat for. Know why. 2. Skim the curatorial guidelines — especially the selection criteria and "what to avoid." 3. If you spot something in the PCAP Art Database that belongs and isn't in the deck yet, text or email me before Tuesday at 9am. Can't make it? Email your selections and thoughts before then so your voice is in the room. Join the Zoom
MUSIC Creation Circle | Monday, June 16 — 3:30–4:30pm Our biweekly space for all things music — all levels, all styles, no pressure. We're building something and it keeps getting bigger. We're also working on inviting some very special guests to a future session — including musician and organizer Minister King X Pyeface, Allyson Cohen (Executive Director of Unison Chamber Music Collective), and Christian Howes, co-producer of RedemptionTime. More on that soon — for now, come help shape what this becomes. Join the Zoom
WRITERS, BOOKS & PUBLISHING Creation Circle | Thursday, June 19 — 11am–12pm Bring something you're working on, or just come to listen. Writers at all stages welcome — poetry, memoir, spoken word, whatever you're sitting with. Join the Zoom
[Image: Pop-Up Art Stop, 2026]
LATER THIS MONTH
Linkage Virtual Open Studio | Friday, June 26 — 9–10am Adult show and tell. Bring anything, any medium, any stage of done-ness. You decide if you want feedback. Haven't made anything in a while? Come anyway — your eye and presence still matter. Join the Zoom
Pop-Up Art Stop | Saturday, June 27 — 11am–8pm Open Book Theatre | 1621 West Rd, Trenton, MI 48183 Original art, books, live music and poetry, printmaking, rubber duck decorating (yes, really), and snacks all day. FREE to attend, all ages. Vendors keep 100% of what they sell. Travel reimbursement available for vendors. The challenge: invite 5 people. Rockstar Member status if you bring 3. (I made this rule and I stand by it.) Add to Calendar | Share the Flyer
[Image: Tigers Game, 2024]
OUT IN THE COMMUNITY
MI-CEMI: Culture Change Through Programming | June 18 — 12–1:30pm (Virtual) A conversation on expanding meaningful programming, reentry support, and culture change inside correctional settings. If this work is your work, show up. Register Here
Recovery Action Network, Michigan: 1-Year Anniversary Open House | Thursday, June 18 — 4–7pm | 35112 W. Michigan Ave, Wayne, MI 48184 Our friends at the Recovery Action Network of Michigan are celebrating ONE YEAR of their Recovery Community Center being open — and it has been a year. Tour the space, meet the staff, learn about their programs, grab yummies from DEMETRIC's Food Truck, and snag some RANMI swag. Whether you've been with them from day one or are just hearing their name — go celebrate this. More Info
Juneteenth: NO MENTHOL Poetry Contest | Thursday, June 19 — Doors at 6:30pm | Jam Handy Building, Detroit J.M. Pozon is headlining and if you know, you know. A night of spoken word celebrating freedom, creativity, and voices that refuse to be forgotten. Free to attend.
The Vision Open Mic | Friday, June 20 — 5:30–8:30pm | 7900 Mack Ave, Detroit (The Commons) The third Saturday series on the east side — musicians, poets, visual artists, vendors, free art supplies. Family friendly, incredible energy, every third Saturday.
Voting Rights Art Installation | June 23 & July 18 VAAC and Indivisible Metro Detroit are building a collaborative art installation on voting rights — and it's been selected for ArtPrize 2026. No art experience needed. Writing, drawing, collage, mixed media — all welcome, all materials provided. June 23, 7–9pm — Urbanrest, 2615 Wolcott St, Ferndale July 18, 2–4:30pm — Hatch Art, 3456 Evaline St, Hamtramck
[Image: PCAP Art Auction, 2023]
QUICK ADMIN — (quick, I promise)
Media Release Form — Fill this out so we can celebrate you publicly with your permission. Not comfortable being featured? No explanation needed — just let me know. Complete the Form
Volunteer Waiver Form — Help us track all the hours you're putting in this year. Sign Here
LiNK Hub — All Our Zoom Links in One Spot. For members' eyes only. Bookmark this: https://linktr.ee/4linkagemembers
This week we pick the art. We celebrate Juneteenth. We make things, we write things, we show up for each other's work.
Not bad for a Sunday newsletter.