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Carpentry
Craftsman Extraordinaire
When you are working with an almost non-existent budget it takes skill,
talent and patience
to achieve such a carpentry feat. Fortunately, the Blight Busters, sponsor
of the Artist Village’s Blue Collar Lounge has many resources and
friends. Gary Gustafson, carpentry craftsman extraordinaire
is among those
talented friends. He handcrafted the Blue Collar Lounge almost single
handedly.
Gary’s talent
is legendary. When he was just a young boy he says that he cut a hole
beneath the
porch that connected to the cellar of the home he was living in. After
the hole was cut, he covered
it with the grate from a heating vent so he could “talk” to
the person on the other side of the opening.
Gary has always possessed an uncanny talent for taking very little and
making something really incredible out of it. He is a true Mr. Fix-It,
and in his own words,
“One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. I turn trash
into treasure!”
A New Perspective
Changes Things!
Gary is a native Detroiter and was born at Mount Carmel Hospital. Of Scandinavian
decent,
he was raised in Dearborn during the 1960s. This was a very segregated
time for Dearborn.
Gary says, “I saw Black people only on TV, I didn’t know any
personally. With all the riots and
chaos going on in Detroit I found no reason to venture toward that neck
of the woods.
But then one day I needed money and when I was 19-years old a friend named
Mike Broda
told me that he had a job position for me doing what I love - building
things up.”
Gary’s new position
was in the heart of war-torn Detroit at Grand River and West Warren.
The name of the company was Detroit Cover and he continued working there
for the next
14 years. Gary says that his new perspective of Detroit and the people
in
it changed everything, and his love affair with Detroit began.
A Great Challenge Is Accepted
Then one day, after a city bus ride that ended with a walk near the intersection
of
Grand River and Lahser he ran into Blight Buster founder, John George
who
knew of his carpentry skills and asked if he would consider doing some
reconstruction
work for the Blight Buster organization. He accepted the challenge and
his equally
long relationship with the Blight Busters began. Gary says, “I try
to learn one new
thing everyday and apply it! I put in long days but would not
change a thing because
I’m doing what I love and I’m using my God-given talents to
get the job done!”
Gary’s beautiful
carpentry work can also be seen in the Motor City Java House located
next door to the Artist Village. He is another of the many gifted and
special people
you’ll meet when you visit the Artist Village!
It’s
No Secret - Community Supported, Non Profit Establishments Rely On Donations
To Thrive
A place as special as the Artist Village needs the support of the community
to grow and to prosper
for a long time to come. Many people contribute their talents and services,
often for free, to that end.
Help Keep A Dream Alive That Enriches Us All!
Please click on the donation buttons below to send a dime, a dollar or
more if you can to help
keep a dream alive that enriches us all and revitalizes an entire community.
You may choose
your level of giving. All of the proceeds are contributed to the sustained
longevity of
The Artist Village.
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