As part of Detroit's 14th annual Month of Design, Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts, in collaboration with the Dearborn Fine Arts Club, Aya Hasan, Wayne County, and the City of Hamtramck, completed the Mechanical Box Mural Tour. 19 local creatives came together to paint utility boxes across Hamtramck and Dearborn, transforming these everyday structures into vibrant expressions of cultural pride and identity.

These murals now stand as powerful symbols of inclusion, representing the diverse communities of Hamtramck and Dearborn, particularly their large Muslim populations. The project fostered cultural exchange between the neighborhoods, using art to celebrate the voices and stories that have historically been underrepresented in the public sphere.

Beyond the artwork itself, this project equipped emerging artists with valuable skills in public art management. Aya Hasan and her team received hands-on training and mentorship, building leadership capacity that will support future artist-driven initiatives in both West Michigan and Detroit. The collaboration has strengthened connections between these regions, creating a model for community-focused placemaking that can inspire similar efforts across the Midwest.

To experience the impact of this project firsthand, take the provided walking tour through the neighborhood. The tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the murals and the stories they tell, inviting you to engage with the cultural richness that defines Hamtramck and Dearborn.