Ellery East Art Center is a community-centered arts space rooted in creativity, education, and social connection. Located in Detroit, the center exists to engage the community in the arts by providing opportunities for social interaction and enrichment through cultural events EE Mission Vision.
At Ellery East, art is not distant or exclusive. It is lived with. It is discussed. It is made. The space functions as both gallery and gathering place — where exhibitions, workshops, and conversations come together to cultivate creativity and lifelong learning.
Our Mission
To engage the Detroit community in the arts by providing opportunities for social interaction and enrichment through cultural events
Our Vision
To be a center of creativity and education.
The Story Behind the Name
Ellery East Art Center is named in honor of George and Hannah Ellery, lifelong Detroit advocates whose commitment to justice and public access to the arts shaped generations EE name.
George and Hannah met through social justice organizing in the 1940s and married in 1950. Together, they championed union rights, women’s rights, civil rights, freedom of speech, public education, peace, and access to the arts. They ensured their children received music and art education, enrolling them in lessons at Your Heritage House, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and through private instruction. They instilled a belief that art, education, and advocacy are inseparable from building a more just world EE name.
The center’s founder, Terrie Ellery Hylton, carries forward that legacy. As the daughter of George and Hannah, Terrie has spent over 38 years advocating for people with disabilities — working to ensure individuals are heard, employed, and fully engaged in communities of their choice EE name. She continues this advocacy through leadership roles on local, state, and national boards, and through her artistic practice, which often explores themes of social justice, peace, and human connection.
A Living, Working Space
Ellery East Art Center reflects this lineage. It is a space where:
- Art and social justice intersect
- Fiber, fabric, paint, and found materials hold stories
- Community members gather to learn, reflect, and create
- Creativity is treated as both personal expression and collective responsibility
Whether you are visiting an exhibition, attending a workshop, or simply spending time with the work, Ellery East invites you to slow down, notice the details, and participate in a shared cultural experience.
Art lives here — not just on the walls, but in conversation, collaboration, and community care.
Stay In Touch!
Ellery East Art Center 