Division Gallery fundraiser
Donation protected
November 1st would be the 11 Year a Anniversary of Division Gallery!
Last Month (July) Big Developers purchased the building that houses the venue/gallery and record/comic shop. As well as many other substantial buildings within the Eastern Market District. With less than a Month Notice they proposed a Lease contract which would almost triple the rent!!! Not only that but they are asking for the tenants to split the property taxes, pay for all the interior renovations to bring the building up to code, add more utilities, and mandatory insurance. All with less than 30 days to respond.
Many tenants on the block and in the neighborhood have already decided to close their businesses or leave their homes because of the sudden drastic price increases.
Drew is currently attempting to negotiate the price down and get them to change the terms of the Lease in hopes to keep the Gallery and store front going. Through the encouragement and recomendation of fellow Division Gallery members, he is starting this Fundraiser to help either pay towards starting a negotiated Lease agreement, or use the money to help breakdown, pack up, move, relocate and build back up in a new location.
This fundraiser will not guarantee that Division Gallery stays open, but will give Drew a safety net in a time of harsh unexpected change to make a transition into a new location. He has until Aug 24th 2018 to negtiate a new lease, otherwise will be forced to leave.
Some history about Division Gallery...
Original founding members Andrew "Lordru" Potvin and Tyler "Mobil" Baldwin got the space as a practice, recording studio and loft space for their group Misinformants. After a couple parties and events they quickly saw the potential of the space as a venue, and within the first couple Months started bringing National touring music acts to Detroit who would have otherwise passed up the city.
After the first Year Lordru took over the venue and continued to bring in such names as Killah Priest, Aloe Blacc, El Da Sensei, Bushwick Bill, Vast Aire, Awol One, Sole, Blueprint, William Cooper, J.Rawls, 60 Second Assasin, Factor, Qwel & Maker, The Wisemen, Onry Osborne, Kutty Slitz, Uncommon NASA, Kirby Dominant, Listener, Skyrider Band, Height with Friends, Esh, Kosher Dillz, DJ Halo, Brzowski, Pat Maine, Prayers for Atheists, Ikon The Mic King, Food For Animals, Durazzo, Fresh Kills etc. with diverse rosters of local artists to open up.
The venue has also featured many of Detroit and greater Michigan undergrounds most notable artists such as Elzhi, DJ Dez, DJ Assault, Awesome Dre, Waajeed, Carl Butch Small, Almighty Dreadnaughtz, Danny Brown, Apollo Brown, Nick Speed, T-Money Green, Kyle Hall, Clear Soul Forces, Laswunzout, Bronze Nazareth, One Be Lo, La Peace, Decompoze, Leaf Erikson, Nolan The Ninja, Miz Korona, Finale, DJ Los, Magestik Legend, Marv Won, Sheefy McFly, DJ Rec, Fatt Father, DJ Head, Fat Ray, #CoOwnaz, Dial81, Octane & Illite, Intricate Dialect, Passalacqua, Count Mack, and many more.
Not to mention official Boiler Room events, coverage by Vice magazine, teamups with Ghostly/Adult Swim, sponsorships by PBR, Red Bull, TITO's vodka and Detroit City Distillery, etc
Countless official release parties, official after parties, art shows and in-store events.
Division Gallery is one of Detroit's longest running underground venues. It has stayed true to its roots and offered a platform for artists of all demographics, races, ethnicities, religions and levels of experience, to come and celebrate art and music within the city limits, in a safe and thoughtful environment.
If you believe in the past present and future mission of Division Gallery to bring together a diverse crowd on behalf of celebrating true art and music in the tyrannical face of gentrification, then please consider making a small donation towards our cause.
Drew wouldn't have done this fundraiser without the support and suggestions of his peers. Any gesture of kindness is beyond appreciated, and will be reciprocated with his future endeavors in the music and fine arts scene.
Last Month (July) Big Developers purchased the building that houses the venue/gallery and record/comic shop. As well as many other substantial buildings within the Eastern Market District. With less than a Month Notice they proposed a Lease contract which would almost triple the rent!!! Not only that but they are asking for the tenants to split the property taxes, pay for all the interior renovations to bring the building up to code, add more utilities, and mandatory insurance. All with less than 30 days to respond.
Many tenants on the block and in the neighborhood have already decided to close their businesses or leave their homes because of the sudden drastic price increases.
Drew is currently attempting to negotiate the price down and get them to change the terms of the Lease in hopes to keep the Gallery and store front going. Through the encouragement and recomendation of fellow Division Gallery members, he is starting this Fundraiser to help either pay towards starting a negotiated Lease agreement, or use the money to help breakdown, pack up, move, relocate and build back up in a new location.
This fundraiser will not guarantee that Division Gallery stays open, but will give Drew a safety net in a time of harsh unexpected change to make a transition into a new location. He has until Aug 24th 2018 to negtiate a new lease, otherwise will be forced to leave.
Some history about Division Gallery...
Original founding members Andrew "Lordru" Potvin and Tyler "Mobil" Baldwin got the space as a practice, recording studio and loft space for their group Misinformants. After a couple parties and events they quickly saw the potential of the space as a venue, and within the first couple Months started bringing National touring music acts to Detroit who would have otherwise passed up the city.
After the first Year Lordru took over the venue and continued to bring in such names as Killah Priest, Aloe Blacc, El Da Sensei, Bushwick Bill, Vast Aire, Awol One, Sole, Blueprint, William Cooper, J.Rawls, 60 Second Assasin, Factor, Qwel & Maker, The Wisemen, Onry Osborne, Kutty Slitz, Uncommon NASA, Kirby Dominant, Listener, Skyrider Band, Height with Friends, Esh, Kosher Dillz, DJ Halo, Brzowski, Pat Maine, Prayers for Atheists, Ikon The Mic King, Food For Animals, Durazzo, Fresh Kills etc. with diverse rosters of local artists to open up.
The venue has also featured many of Detroit and greater Michigan undergrounds most notable artists such as Elzhi, DJ Dez, DJ Assault, Awesome Dre, Waajeed, Carl Butch Small, Almighty Dreadnaughtz, Danny Brown, Apollo Brown, Nick Speed, T-Money Green, Kyle Hall, Clear Soul Forces, Laswunzout, Bronze Nazareth, One Be Lo, La Peace, Decompoze, Leaf Erikson, Nolan The Ninja, Miz Korona, Finale, DJ Los, Magestik Legend, Marv Won, Sheefy McFly, DJ Rec, Fatt Father, DJ Head, Fat Ray, #CoOwnaz, Dial81, Octane & Illite, Intricate Dialect, Passalacqua, Count Mack, and many more.
Not to mention official Boiler Room events, coverage by Vice magazine, teamups with Ghostly/Adult Swim, sponsorships by PBR, Red Bull, TITO's vodka and Detroit City Distillery, etc
Countless official release parties, official after parties, art shows and in-store events.
Division Gallery is one of Detroit's longest running underground venues. It has stayed true to its roots and offered a platform for artists of all demographics, races, ethnicities, religions and levels of experience, to come and celebrate art and music within the city limits, in a safe and thoughtful environment.
If you believe in the past present and future mission of Division Gallery to bring together a diverse crowd on behalf of celebrating true art and music in the tyrannical face of gentrification, then please consider making a small donation towards our cause.
Drew wouldn't have done this fundraiser without the support and suggestions of his peers. Any gesture of kindness is beyond appreciated, and will be reciprocated with his future endeavors in the music and fine arts scene.
Organizer
Andrew Lordru Potvin
Organizer
Detroit, MI
