The Heidelberg Project is a colourful postmodern work of art and community project located on Heidelberg Street in Detroit, Mighigan created by artist Tyree Guyton. Guyton lived through the 1968 Detroit race riots and witnessed the breakdown of his neighbourhood. He started the project in 1986, and with the help of others has transformed the houses and trees of the street into works of art.
Since 1991, the city of Detroit has been fighting to tear down the project, and has bulldozed a number of houses several times. But the project continues, largely because of donations and support of many people. Visitors have come from all over the world to see the project. Tyree has received two awards for his art, the Spirit of Detroit Award in 1989, as well as the Michigan Governor's Arts Award in 1992.
Tyree plans to expand the project into a creative art center for children, community garden, amphitheater, and beyond. The project is definitely one of the most inspirational sights in a city which has otherwise remained largely in ruin for the past 30 years. In a recent court battle, the non-profit organization lost against the city by a jury in which 5 of the 6 jury members were not residents of the city of Detroit itself.
More info can be found at www.heidelberg.org.