Pointe of Art

Grosse Pointe Center for the Arts - 1/05
by Robert Maniscalco

The Grosse Pointes have long been known for an obsession with preserving our provincial air. We've convinced ourselves its a great place to live because of these attitudes. The rationale for maintaining the status quo goes something like this: by not being a "destination," we have less traffic congestion, lower crime and a kinder, gentler way of life.

While there may be some truth to this, it is worth considering the insidious cost of being the sleepy hamlet of Metro Detroit: stagnating real estate values and mediocre retail performance. There are many among us, however, living and working in Grosse Pointe, who long for a balance of "cool." We are looking for pockets of culture and an authentic cosmopolitan atmosphere--not to mention a better return on our real estate investments.

Suffice it to say, "progressive" is not a word that usually comes to mind when describing the policies of our municipal governments. That's why it's refreshing to look at what's happening in Grosse Pointe Park. With the dramatic increase in their offerings of "essential services," which in my book include the recent renovations to their parks as well as the new public library, Grosse Pointe Park has made a real commitment to improving the cultural life of our community. Now, the Grosse Pointe Center for the Arts, which is still in the planning stages, promises to be a major step forward in appealing to the next generation of Grosse Pointers.

This versatile facility will offer children's theatre, cutting edge professional theatre, dance, chamber music, a speakers series and lively visual arts exhibitions and auctions, making it an anchor for a wide variety of activities for the whole family. City Manager, Dale Krajniak, has been doing his homework to determine what would make the best, most universally appealing facility: "The Park has a large young population, so events for kids are definitely going to be a big part of the picture. The center will be driven by its arts and cultural mission. The building will have 21,000 square feet of usable floor space with a 375 seat state-of-the-art theatre at its center, along with 10,000 sq. feet of exhibition space."

Although two million in Wayne County money is contingent on the renewal of the mileage, Krajniak is confident that prominent members of the community will soon be stepping up to the plate, providing the funding necessary to keep the Pointes on point. Miriam Engstrum, long time Grosse Pointe Park resident, certainly isn't alone when she exudes, "this is absolutely something this community has needed for a very long time."

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