Today we’d like to introduce you to Yvette Rock.
Hi Yvette, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The roots of the non-profit, Live Coal, began in 2012 when I formed Live Coal Gallery, L.L.C. (now Rock Gallery of Art, LLC) with a vision to engage Detroiters of all ages and stages of their life’s artistic journey. In 2013, after sharing my dreams and plans with the City of Detroit, I transformed the bottom flat of our multi-family dwelling located in the Historic Woodbridge Neighborhood into an art museum. For the next two and a half years, Live Coal Gallery (LCG) hosted an average of six exhibitions per year, featuring the work of aspiring, emerging, and established artists such as the late Gilda Snowden, Senghor Reid, Antoinette Connor, Shirley Woodson, Anita Bates, Bruce Giffin, Rashaun Rucker, and many others. Live music was played during opening receptions, including renown jazz musician Marion Hayden. There was also a gift shop that sold hand-made goods made by local artisans. I am thankful for the time in our first brick-and-mortar space and the community that rallied around it.
Shortly after closing this space, I had another vision. That vision was fueled by the idea that the arts should be more easily accessible by all people. I asked myself, “What if there was a way to bring art into the neighborhoods of Detroit instead of figuring out how to get Detroiters into my one fixed space?” That was the beginning of the Live Coal Arts Mobile, a car hauler that I transformed into a traveling art space.
In 2018, LCG once again found a new brick and mortar space owned by the non-profit organization, Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corporation (CDC). LCG used the space to host workshops, art camps, offices, studio space, storage space, and special events. It also became the home of The RED – LCG’s children’s art museum. Soon after, in 2019, LCG initiated a new project called Detroit rePatched. Named after a mixed media art series I was working on, Detroit rePatched is an arts-infused green space and art hub in Detroit’s Brightmoor neighborhood.
In 2022, I formed the non=profit Live Coal to continue and expand the community-based work I was doing through my LLC. Today, Live Coal has roots in Detroit’s Grandmont Rosedale neighborhood where it operates The RED – Detroit’s only museum dedicated to the collection, exhibition, and sale of children’s art alongside the work of professional artists. Live Coal’s mission is to transform lives and neighborhoods through art and education. We ignite creativity by connecting students with artists through customized visual arts education and community-rooted programs, fostering artistic growth and cultural engagement. We believe equitable access to art, artists, art materials, and art spaces is vital to the vibrancy and health of children, individuals, families, and communities.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been many ups and downs in the formation and sustaining of our non-profit over the years. Some of the ups include being able to open The RED! Our children’s art museum is slowly finding its roots in a new neighborhood. We were able to host 17 youth this past summer as part of our youth employment program in partnership with other groups. Students were in the museum Monday through Friday from 10am-2pm. We also hosted a summer art camp for kids ages 6-13. Another highlight is having our first major exhibition called The House That Poems Built, currently on exhibition until December 12th. It features the life and work of Detroit’s poet laureate, jessica Care moore. After many years of being the sole full-time employee, I recently hired Amanda Lee as our Program Coordinator and my daughter Arise Rock works part-time as our Administrative and Program Assistant. This was absolutely one of the biggest blessings! It’s truly been wonderful having others besides myself to think through and execute effective programming.
Some of our challenges include dependency on grants. We don’t have a solid individual giving stream and it puts a lot of pressure to rely on grants. Ideally we want to diversity funding, but I have not been successful in this area since so much of my focus was on running the actual day to day of the non-profit, including being directly responsible for programming. Now that we have a small team, I am hoping to network and invite the public to donate to our cause. Another challenge is board retention. We are in need of solid board members who have not only a passion for the work, but willing to help with fundraising so that I don’t carry the burden alone.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
While my main work is being the Executive Director of the non-profit, Live Coal, I am also a practicing visual artist. Here’s my bio (in third person):
Yvette Rock is a painter, object-maker, photographer, and performer. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in 1997 and a Master of Fine Arts in painting from the University of Michigan in 1999. She is currently pursuing a K-12 Certificate in Visual Arts Education from College for Creative Studies. Yvette has been a teaching artist with InsideOut Literary Arts for 25 years and continues to partner with organizations to bring visual arts to children. In 2012 she founded Live Coal Gallery, LLC (now Rock Gallery of Art, LLC) – a small business in Detroit. LCG was a recipient of the 2017, 2019, and 2021 Knight Arts Challenge. Rock is the Founder and Executive Director of Live Coal, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization transforming lives and neighborhoods through art, community development, and education. She is a 2019 Facing Change: Documenting Detroit Fellow and a 2024 Seed and Bloom: Detroit Fellow. Rock lives in Detroit with her husband and five children.
I am most proud of raising five amazing human beings – my children. Secondly, I am proud to have opened Detroit’s first children’s art museum.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
You can check out more of my work here: www.livecoal.org, www.yvetterock.com, www.detroitrepatched.com
Please consider supporting our work by becoming a member of Live Coal, visiting the museum, or spreading the word!
Pricing:
- 60.00 Family Membership
- 40.00 Individual Membership
- 50.00 Adult Artist Membership
- 35.00 Youth Artist Membership
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.livecoal.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livecoaldetroit/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livecoaldetroit/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@livecoal
