DETROIT, MI -- Heidelberg Project Executive Director Jenenne Whitfield was writing a speech Thursday morning for the group's annual fundraiser, and had to add to the address a message of defiant hope after the renowned art project suffered another severe blow.
Just hours ahead of the fourth annual fundraiser, yet another of the project's art-adorned houses burned to the ground Thursday morning, the third one destroyed this year in series of apparent arsons.
The "Penny House" on Mt. Elliott Street was fully engulfed by flames around 3 a.m.
Whitfield released an excerpt from her speech later in the morning.
"As we try and wrap our head around this, we remember that it has been said everything happens for a reason," she wrote. "Maybe the old is making room for the new. However we are certain that the Heidelberg Project will propel to a new and even greater Heidelberg Project and a new promise for the future of Detroit."
The renowned public art environment built upon vacant houses around Detroit's Heidelberg Street is reeling from a series of fires that destroyed what was known as the Obstruction of Justice house earlier this year, the House of Soul last week and The Penny House on Thursday.
(Related: Heidelberg Project to arsonist: 'We understand your pain')
The group announced efforts to boost security after the House of Soul fire and started an online fundraising campaign for that purpose, but a patrol on duty Thursday couldn't prevent the fire.
"The HP is a sacred battle ground that has withstood damage by bulldozers and now willful destruction by fire," Whitfield wrote. "However we must preserve and protect the ongoing creative and spiritual contribution of The Heidelberg Project. If we can’t get justice from our city, we must stand for justice. We must stand in defiance of evil!"
The Heidelberg Project, started in the 1980s by Tyree Guyton and his grandfather Sam Mackey, transformed a deteriorating neighborhood into a sprawling set of open-air art installations known most for the polka dots and stuffed animals covering the houses, trees and grounds in the area.
The annual fundraising event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Fine Arts Theater, 2952 Woodward Ave.
Follow MLive Detroit reporter Khalil AlHajal on Twitter @DetroitKhalil or on Facebook at Detroit Khalil. He can be reached at kalhajal@mlive.com or 313-643-0527.