A colorful art project brightens an empty downtown spot

A vacant storefront in downtown Ann Arbor got a surprise glow-up last month, but not the kind that usually leads to new business. Instead of a "For Rent" sign, the windows of the old Downtown Home and Garden now feature playful art from University of Michigan students. Their project includes whimsical drawings of kitchens, vintage photos, and even a cardboard horse—all inspired by the building’s long history. The artist group, led by their professor, spent just three days transforming the empty space into a temporary gallery. The building itself has roots going back over a hundred years, but its future stays uncertain. The longtime owner, who also owns nearby properties, has fielded several proposals but hasn’t settled on a new tenant yet. Earlier plans suggested a bar or restaurant might move in, but nothing has been finalized. Meanwhile, the store’s famous orange cat, Lewis, has a memorial painted in one of the windows, adding a personal touch to the art.This isn’t the first time the owner has supported local artists. Years ago, he allowed another student project to decorate windows in a different building he owns. The current display stays up only temporarily, though—by early May, a different exhibit will replace it. The art project started when the owner invited students in to learn about the building’s past before they got creative. Critics might wonder why effort goes into decorating a space with no immediate business plan. But the colorful windows do one thing well: they keep the area lively while decisions drag on. It’s a reminder that empty storefronts don’t have to stay dead spaces—they can become blank canvases for something fresh.