This September, Riverside Arts Center has shared the work of their 2024 artists-in-residence – Nick Azzaro and Avery Williamson. Both artists explore themes of community, degradation, history, legacy, memory and archive all within the context of the city of Ypsilanti. 

Williamson’s collages using archival material delve into the complexities of Ypsilanti’s Water Street Redevelopment Project, and what it reveals about the aspirations and ambitions of residents over the decades. Azzaro’s sculptural pieces are crafted from reclaimed educational materials, largely from the Willow Run Community Schools district, and wheatpaste, and examine systemic issues within public education and how outdated teaching resources impact our collective understandings of the past and future. Both artists have engaged with the Ypsilanti community through workshops and collaborative projects during this six-month residency. The exhibit promises to be a dynamic dialogue about art, community and the futures we want to build.