Drive By, Drive By

In partnership with Canfield Consortium, a community development organization on Detroit’s east side, and Sidewalk Festival Detroit, an interdisciplinary outdoor celebration of performance, installation, and art in Detroit neighborhoods, I created Drive By Drive By during my residency with Sidewalk Festival in 2023. The concept of Drive By Drive By gives families in urban communities across Detroit a space to visit, reflect, and find peace through vulnerability. The installation invites individuals who have lost loved ones to drive-by shootings to process grief in a safe and healing environment. Participants were encouraged to bring photos, memories, and personal reflections to honor those lost and to release what they’ve been holding onto in a healthy way, surrounded by community support. This work was deeply personal. I have a family member who was a victim of a drive-by shooting, a relative who served in the army and was killed at a liquor store on Detroit’s west side. Through this experience, I understand what it means to carry unspoken grief and the emotional weight of violence that lingers long after the event. The purpose of Drive By Drive By was to create awareness and healing within communities most affected by gun violence, offering a space for families to reconnect, protect, and support one another. It became a moment of collective care, where remembrance turned into resilience, and art became a way to process pain together.

Flowers were Sponsored by: Flowers for Dreams Detroit

Soundscape to Freedom- Behind the scenes

The process of creativity behind the Sounds of Freedom EP captures the essence of freedom through its soundscape, blending musical exploration with emotional depth. The EP, created by Eli Fola, embodies a journey of self-expression and liberation, which is reflected in the behind-the-scenes footage filmed in Faraway, New York. The film, directed by Kashira Dowridge, offers a glimpse into the artistic process, while the words by Kashira Dowridge delve into the deeper meaning of freedom within the music and its creation. Together, the project captures a powerful and intimate perspective on the relationship between sound, freedom, and the creative journey.

EP- Eli Fola

Words by Kashira Dowridge