Review Highlights
“Speaking with the creator of this, Detroit native Tyree Guyton, he spoke so elegantly of his mission.” in 14 reviews
“It is an amazing opportunity to look at something that was part of a political protest.” in 2 reviews
“d. This art election highlights the blight that has stricken the community and it is interesting to see it among people's home” in 10 reviews
Location & Hours
Other Art Galleries Nearby
in Art Consultants, Art Restoration, Art Galleries
in Bakeries, Art Galleries
in Antiques, Art Galleries, Jewelry
Amenities and More
About the Business
Established in 1986. The HP is the brainchild of native Detroit artist, Tyree Guyton. It began in 1986 and was originally designed as a creative response to ongoing blight and decay in the neighborhood in which he grew up. Guyton was encouraged by his beloved grandfather, Sam Mackey. Mackey was Guyton's mentor and encouraged his grandson to pursue his dream of using his paintbrush in a new way. Tyree was also accompanied by his former wife, Karen, and neighborhood children. Together they embarked on a journey of reclaiming their community. The HP experienced two demolitions; one in 1991 and again in 1999. There are many theories as to why the HP was destroyed but perhaps the most persuasive reason is politics. Is it art or junk? You decide!
Ask the Community
Yelp users haven’t asked any questions yet about Heidelberg Project.
Recommended Reviews
Overall rating
129 reviews
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
- Darren G.Pittsburgh, PA7356Dec 10, 2023
Always send folks to this (or take them myself) when visiting Detroit. Now a remnant of what was an expansive art project spanning over multiple blocks, it's still around and that's what matters. Brought my partner there and he was impressed that it's been around as long as it has, given its history.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 1 - 59110410Jun 10, 2023
This was an interesting sight to see. I would recommend doing some research on it before going to it to full understand and appreciate the artistry and philosophical aspect behind it.
This is a street with different things piled on top of each other (to put it frankly). Honestly, it wasn't that aesthetically pleasing to me, but that also really isn't the point.
You will see lots of clocks and times painted on boards throughout the street. According to the website, the clocks have become a theme in this project because it to help us reflect "where we have been, where we are now, and where we are going".
This exhibition was created by the artist Tyree Guyton in 1986. When you Google this project and read about the motivation behind creating this exhibition, it's pretty interesting and meaningful.
I would recommend googling "The Heidelberg Project". Once you do, there will be some suggested links under the main website link. If you click "virtual tour", it will give you information on each of the artwork on the street. You can look for the artwork and read on it.
I kind of wish the project had some helpful written blurb in from of each artwork, but it's ok, I'm sure it would interrupt the street as a whole if too many written blurbs were placed in front of each artwork.
You can park on the street.Helpful 1Thanks 1Love this 2Oh no 0 - May 27, 2023
This outdoor art project requires driving through some residential space and getting a tour of the non-touristy part of Detroit, which reveals some interesting architecture in various states of decay. The exhibition takes up a full block at least, in which there are several houses but also a lot of open green space. It's a very modern kind of exhibition that is provocative while being hard to wrap your head around. There were certainly some interesting sights formed by the various abandoned cars and other detritus. It's a quiet area, and I was a bit surprised that the only other tourist that joined me on a nice day was a cat.
Signage offered the opportunity to donate money to whoever's in charge of this thing and suggested a tour could be arranged.
I think you'd have to be someone who is interested in art or motivated to explore; I could imagine some people wondering what was going on or why they bothered. But I do encourage people to explore.Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Oct 4, 2023
After driving around Detroit for three days and witnessing the degree of urban decay first hand, it was a thing of beauty to see this street and the how decay was turned into art, essentially reclaiming this neighborhood for the people. This should be a stop for anyone spending a couple of days in Detroit.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - 57416486213Jul 31, 2021
Heard about this place some years ago and had my eye on going.
It's an outdoor art installation.
It's interesting if you read up on the story behind the art. The neighborhood's deterioration and poverty are political, to say the least. Sometimes art is very complex.
The artist himself was there! Got to say our hellos.
We walked around and saw piles of shoes, toys, the foundation of a house, the famous spotted house, a sunken in car, and many other things collected and turned into a visual of some of the issues you see in certain neighborhoods in Detroit (or perhaps across the country).
There's this unmistakable theme about time. Lots of clocks and times written all over the place. Not exactly sure what that meant but perhaps it meant that as time passes, things don't necessarily get better?
For some of us who grew up in different zip codes, we might find it hard to appreciate. It might not make sense. To me, it's mostly sad and disheartening. But I'm grateful this art installation gives people the opportunity to learn more.
Art is the vision of the artist and what they want us to gain from what they've created.Helpful 9Thanks 0Love this 11Oh no 0 - May 15, 2021
If organized chaos was a place, this would be it. It is a artsy collection of junk and somehow it works. It spans a whole street and neutral ground. It is very colorful and will catch your eye from the street and draw you in. The project was officially started in 1988 and its mission statement says it is an outdoor art environment in the heart of an urban area and a Detroit based community organization with a mission to improve the lives of people and neighborhoods through art.
There are tons of places to park on the street if you want to get out and see. Driving by in your car works too. It takes many artist, numerous hours to create and sustain a project of this magnitude.
I get that people will either love or hate this place. There is not much in between. My rating of this place is based on its uniqueness and the story of hope, love and inspiration behind it. I can see where some people look at this and see a dump or heap of trash. You have to look beyond that though and see the projects true meaning to fully understand and appreciate it.Helpful 5Thanks 0Love this 5Oh no 0 - Feb 28, 2021
The Heidelberg project is probably the most unique and one of the most memorable attractions that my family and I stumbled upon while taking a weekend getaway in Detroit.
My kids had an absolute blast rummaging through this unique art display. My wife and I had a good time seeing a bunch of stuff from our childhood on display in a different artistic way.
The gentlemen who happened to create this was actually out there doing his thing when we was there. He was a super nice and humble guy. He lit up like a Christmas tree when he seen my 4 daughters. He absolutely loved that the youth was enjoying and taking in his creation.
The whole thing is about 3-5 house lots long on both sides of a single road. You can drive through slowly and check everything out or you can do what me and my family did and park on the side road to avoid blocking others views and get out and check out the finer details while walking through.
Overall extremely cool place. Five stars from me for creativity and making something on your own and having it be successful plus my whole family had a fun time. Well Worth the 10-15 min trek from our hotel in downtown Detroit to check this place out.Helpful 33Thanks 0Love this 37Oh no 0 - Ramon Z.McFarland, CA22120Aug 6, 2023
I visited the project today as a tourist from California and was dropped off by my Uber. I say this with 100% certainty that it is SAFE. It was unfortunate to see so many tourist in vehicles driving through and not getting off.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Nov 24, 2021
Definitely the definition of unique and craziness oh just one big mess I don't know what request process it. It is interesting art project I guess which Detroit is filled with. But it is just one thing after another different art project soon garbage person. Just all kinds of things to check out while you're there because words don't really describe it well enough
Helpful 17Thanks 0Love this 11Oh no 0 - Darin C.Southfield, MI9175May 17, 2023
This is the biggest debate is it Art or is it junk? You have to go there and be the judge, but they come from all over the world to see the stuff
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 1
You Might Also Consider
in Sporting Goods, Antiques, Professional Sports Teams