Studio

Home > Studio

Ponyride leases studio space to artists and entrepreneurs who engage the citizens of Detroit in their creative practices. By providing the residents with subsidized spaces, creatives at Ponyride are able to focus on their craft. Current creatives in residence include:

Empowerment Plan

Imagine the coldest day in recent memory; the biting wind chilling you to your core. Now imagine spending your whole day, from morning to night, wandering endlessly throughout the city. No home. No bed. No warm cup of coffee to sit down to. For 20,000 citizens in Detroit, this is the reality. 1 out of 42 people in the city of Detroit are homeless. The Empowerment plan aims to break the cycle of homelessness by giving homeless women jobs where they can earn a living-wage, find shelter and gain back their independence for themselves and their families. At the he core of the Empowerment plan is a self-heated, waterproof coat, that doubles as a sleeping bag. The coat was designed by Veronika Scott and is presently being manufactured by Elisha, Demetria and Annis who are paid to produce the coats for those living on the streets. The Empowerment plan aims to create a system that provides jobs for those who wish to be employed and coats for those who need them most, free of cost. The Empowerment plan aims to build a better life for those that have become trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty. Our focus is not on the product but on the people.

En Garde! Detroit

En Garde! Detroit introduces young adults to the sport of fencing. In partnership with schools, youth-focused businesses and other educational organizations, En Garde! provides Detroit youth with a unique extracurricular activity. Founder Bobby C. Smith was introduced to the sport of fencing during his teenage years at St. Benedict’s Preparatory in Newark, New Jersey. He later went on to fence with the Peter Westbrook Foundation, and eventually received a scholarship to fence with Wayne State University team. “If it wasn’t for fencing,” Bobby says, “I honestly would not have had the experiences that helped cultivate me into a well-rounded adult. I owe a lot to the sport; the least I can do is give the gift to a few more kids.” In 2008, En Garde! Detroit became a licensed L.L.C. in the state of Michigan and is the first social entrepreneurial company in the U.S. dedicated solely to fencing. Bobby and his coaches are working to expand En Garde! Detroit to hold regular classes and practice hours.

Heritage Works

Heritage Works promotes youth and community development through cultural arts and traditions. A Detroit-based cultural arts organization, Heritage Works (HW) is committed to supporting the creative, educational and vocational development of all children and families, with a specific emphasis on youth and families of color. Heritage Works conducts youth and family programs focused on cultural enrichment, performance arts, heath and wellness, and academic and professional skills development. Accomplished performer and choreographer Lohren Nzoma leads community workshops and youth ensemble training every Wednesday and Saturday at Ponyride.

Order & Other

Order & Other is a creative agency specializing in digital media. Founded by Charlie Kelly, Eric Moss and Jonathan Fambrough, Order & Other captures and shapes stories. The group was conceived within the Ponyride community and is a prime example of how collaborative space can stimulate unique creative opportunity. Order & Other values giving back to their community and does so by regularly hosting a film collective, sharing resources with other local filmmakers, and facilitating workshops and other creative projects to help shape a fresh narrative for Detroit.

RunJit – Jit Runners

RunJit Detroit is synonymous with Greatness. Collectively, the group creates ground-breaking choreography, combining individual styles of dance with jitting, a unique dance style, native to Detroit. Striving to expose the dance world to jitting, while staying true to their Detroit roots, RunJit, uses their talents and determination to introduce individuals in the city to various styles of hip-hop dance. RunJit offers affordable dance classes at Ponyride to those who would like to learn the Detroit Footwork Culture. Additionally, the group is looking to partner with local high schools to promote academic excellence through discussion with youth. RunJit will be hosting monthly talent showcases for audiences 21+ later this year.

Stukenborg Letterpress Studio

Stukenborg Press is a traditional letterpress printing studio, housed on the second floor at Ponyride. The printshop is fun by Bryan Christopher Baker, who uses the facility both for his art and for commercial printing endeavors. Additionally, Bryan also teaches workshops, training individuals in the community to use the presses for their own project needs while introducing them to the fine craft of printing with lead and wood typography, hand-carved blocks, and photopolymer plates.

Smith Shop Detroit

Founded in 2012, Smith Shop is a dynamic craft-centric metalworking company based in Detroit, Michigan. Smith Shop produces quality metalwork of all descriptions specializing in the custom fabrication of gold, silver, copper, brass and steel while also producing limited-production wholesale runs ranging from jewelry to architectural hardware. In addition to its manufacturing business, Smith Shop offers access to its metalworking facilities at Ponyride through classes, workshops, private lessons and studio rentals.

Detroit Denim

I can’t recall when it really started. As far back as I can remember, I’ve loved jeans. However, about 3 years ago it got interesting. What started as an obsessive hobby (planning, designing, speccing, finding suppliers, developing multiple patterns, revising and revising again) turned into Detroit Denim None of it would be possible without Ponyride here in Detroit. The community helps us thrive as a small factory/shop hand-making jeans and sweating the details. Making sure each pair fits the ideal of what jeans used to be and what they should be; a durable pair of jeans with a great fit that will continue to look great throughout their longer-than-usual life.  - Eric of Detroit Denim

Hunt & Noyer Woodworks

Hunt & Noyer Woodworks was founded by furniture designer/maker Kyle Huntoon after he returned to Michigan in early 2013. Kyle specializes in custom-made studio furniture and housewares made of locally harvested American hardwoods. For several years he has created bespoke housewares and personal accessories for family and friends, and now he is taking the plunge to pursue woodworking as his primary profession. Functionality and durability are the primary driving forces behind his work, and he builds each piece with the intention that it will stand the test of time both in utility and design. Stop by the wood shop sometime, check out his latest project, and wish him luck.