Director of detroit contemporary parts ways

DETROIT – detroit contemporary announces the departure of Phaedra Robinson as director of the five year old gallery and performance venue. Robinson became director after founder Aaron Timlin left to fill the position of executive director of the Detroit Artists Market in March of 2002.
"I plan on continuing my work on many projects simultaneously – as an independent artist and as a collaborative artist," says Robinson. "I will continue as an independent juror, lecturer, curator and director."
Robinson's departure comes at the close of this year's successful Actual Size Biennial exhibition, which she curated, that featured over 250 local visual artists and sold over one third of the work in the exhibit.
detroit contemporary has featured hundreds of visual, performance and musical artists from all over the world since it opened in the fall of 1998. Robinson's performance work was featured in the gallery's inaugural exhibition, "Sight; Sonic." She began volunteering at the gallery shortly after the first exhibition and was hired the following year.
"I am forming an organization currently called the Center For Creative Exchange which will be developed out of a dilapidated house on Warren Ave two blocks from detroit contemporary. Local and visiting artists will rework the building itself into a work of art," says Robinson. "This will serve as a resource for creative-minded individuals as well as for local organizations. The goal of the center is to bring people together and serve as a support for creative growth and open communication on a local and eventually international scale."
"We hope to have Phaedra back on occasion to curate exhibitions in the future, says founder and owner Aaron Timlin. "The contributions she has made over the years have played a significant part in the gallery's success."
detroit contemporary will close for the duration of the season while it renovates and improves its galleries, performance space and outdoor gardens and facilities. A grand re-opening is scheduled for September 2004.
No one has been selected to fill the position vacated by Phaedra Robinson, a College for Creative Studies graduate.
"We should be able to make an announcement as to Phaedra's successor in the next few months," says Timlin.
detroit contemporary is located at 5141 Rosa Parks Blvd in Detroit's Woodbridge Historic Neighborhood. For information contact the gallery at 313-898-4278 or e-mail at [email protected] or online at http://www.detroitcontemporary.com.