1xRUN is excited to announce the completion of six new murals in Detroit, Michigan, painted as part of the Quicken Loans Small Business Murals Project for the third year in a row. Since 2017, 18 community-driven murals have been installed on local businesses as part of the project. This partnership between Quicken Loans and 1xRUN brings together local business owners and artists to create transformative, large-scale murals in communities throughout the city.
Over the course of 10 days, Detroit artists Rick Williams, Phil Simpson, Sheefy McFly, BakPak Durden, Ijania Cortez, Ed Irmen and Mike Polakowski worked to design and paint six new large-scale public murals, each working hand-in-hand with the local business owners at the location of their murals.
“Expanding the program, and being out in these Detroit neighborhoods that are often overlooked, make it even more moving when we see how these murals affect each community. What is really profound about this project is that we are all able to see a very direct and immediate connection between how art and commerce create such a positive impact.”
–Roula David, 1xRUN Chief Operating Officer & Executive Director of Murals In The Market
While the first five murals were completed at local businesses, the final mural was painted live by renowned artist Sheefy McFly during Detroit Out Loud, a one-day festival held by the Quicken Loans Community Fund to celebrate Detroit and its communities. McFly painted a series of his classic b-boys and break dancers at the festival located at Rouge Park on Detroit’s west side.
The Quicken Loans Small Business Murals Project is part of a larger philanthropic strategy to invest in public space activation, housing stability, entrepreneurship, education and employment and community sponsorships throughout Detroit.
Check out the new murals and help support these local businesses at the addresses below:
Mural Locations
BakPak Durden: Final Cut Barber Salon, 13303 West Seven Mile
Rick Williams: Glass Block Express, 13106 Lynwood St
Phil Simpson: First Behavioral Choice, 8537 Van Dyke Ave
Ijania Cortez: Mad J’s Auto Service, 7009 West Chicago
Ed Irmen and Michael Polakowski: Carmen’s Community Mini Market, 2145 Dearing St
Sheefy McFly: Detroit Out Loud Festival (Live Painting on July 20th in Rouge Park)
Phil Simpson with First Behavioral Choice
Rick Williams’ mural for Glass Block Express
BakPak Durden with Final Kut Barber Salon
Ed Irmen & Mike Polakowski with Carmen’s Community Mini Market
Sheefy McFly’s completed mural painted live at Detroit Out Loud Festival
Ijania Cortez with Mad J’s Auto Service