Help Save Hamtramck Disneyland

In 1992, a Ukranian immigrant named Dmytro Szylak started a project. He began collecting and creating pieces that he arranged above his home, garage and throughout his yard. He started so he had something to do during retirement and then continued it for years. The "collage" includes pictures of Elvis and other pop culture stars, year-round Christmas lights, wooden soldiers, American flags, and more and it's called Hamtramck Disneyland.

The art installation has become a staple in Hamtramck and people flock to the town to see it. Dmytro and his creation have even been the topic of a couple of documentaries over the years. Sadly, last year Dmytro passed away and the future of his home and Hamtramck Disneyland became uncertain. The home went up for sale almost a year after Mr. Szylak passed and luckily a group that intends to preserve and maintain his work was able to purchase the property.

Hatch Art is the new owner of Hamtramck Disneyland. Hatch has been running a community art space and gallery in Hamtramck since 2012. Now they plan to also make Hamtramck Disneyland part of their work. They intend to upkeep the property maintain Szylak's vision for years to come. They will bring in art residents to work on adding to the display as pieces deteriorate, while continuing to keep the installation lively. However, in order to do all of this, they need your help!

Hatch currently is trying to raise $50,000 to help ensure the future of Hamtramck Disneyland. The crowd funding campaign is currently in its final days on Patronicity and they still have quite a ways to go. What makes this goal even more important to reach is that once they raise the $50k, it will be met by a grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan State Development Authority.

To help reach this goal by the end date of August 20th, Small's in Hamtramck is putting on a benefit show this Thursday, August 18th. James Linck, Go Tiger Go and Rayning will be hitting the stage at Small's and all proceeds will go towards Hamtramck Disneyland. They are asking for a donation of $10 at the door and 18+ are welcome. If you can't quite afford $10, get there between 8 and 9 and just pay what you can. Doors are set to open at 8 p.m. and the show will start at 9. This already sounds like it would be a great show, but add the fact that you'll be helping preserve this landmark and it makes it sound even better!

If you can't make it to Small's on Thursday, you can always donate via Patronicity any time between now and 11:45 p.m. on August 20th. With your donation you can get anything from a postcard to a shirt in return, depending on how much you give. For a list of gifts and more background on Hamtramck Disneyland and Hatch Art, click here.

~C