I just learned about this project going on in Detroit, but it’s been going on since 1986. You can learn more at www.heidelberg.org, but it seems they’ve exceeded their bandwidth so I’ll give you a summary I took from another great blog, Michigan in Pictures (which I assume just took it from the Heidelberg website before it went down).

The Heidelberg Project, bearing the name of the street on which it exists, was started in 1986 by Tyree Guyton. He was assisted by his grandfather, Sam (Grandpa) Mackey (deceased), and his former wife, Karen Guyton. Tyree was raised on Heidelberg Street and, at the age of 12, witnessed the tragic effect of the Detroit riots – from which he claims the City of Detroit never recovered. Though once racially integrated, many neighborhoods have become segregated urban ghettos characterized by poverty, abandonment, and despair

Armed with a paintbrush, a broom, and neighborhood children, Guyton, Karen, and Grandpa began by cleaning up vacant lots on Heidelberg and Elba Streets. From the refuse they collected, Guyton began to transform the street into a massive art environment. Vacant lots literally became “lots of art” and abandoned houses became “gigantic art sculptures.” Guyton not only transformed vacant houses and lots, he integrated the street, sidewalks, and trees into his mammoth installation and called his work on Heidelberg Street, the Heidelberg Project.

There are over 200 pictures of on Flickr and you might even find more if you do a keyword search.

Some of my favorites (click for full detail):

Technorati Tags: Detroit, art, photo galleries