Catch Us While You Can
Makeshift Gallery, Ann Arbor’s eclectic popup, is here to stay
—By Mai Tran
In the heart of downtown Ann Arbor lies a hidden gem filled with unique crafts, from guitars made out of cigar boxes to handmade ceramics, all of which embody the essence of creativity and community. Makeshift Gallery, a popup space curated by Jim Moran and his wife Cheryl Dawdy, stands as a testament to their unwavering passion for art representing a community of Ann Arbor artists and their determination to defy the odds, even in the face of adversity.
“A lot of this is just a labor of love,” muses Dawdy as she reflects on the journey that led them to make 407 E. Liberty a home for Makeshift.
Christmas gift that keeps on giving
It all started two Christmases ago, with a mysterious slogan—“Catch us while you can”—and a vision to transform an empty retail space into a holiday hotspot for Ann Arbor artists and art enthusiasts alike. What began as a tentative experiment soon blossomed into a cherished tradition, breathing fresh life into the local art scene.
Moran has an eclectic past himself, having opened theaters across the country, including nine in Southeast Michigan during his career. He has also directed and written plays, speaking proudly of a clear passion for art which he shares with Dawdy. Cheryl Dawdy graduated from the performing arts program at the University of Michigan and is holding her 39-year tenure in a three-person contemporary folk band, The Chenille Sisters. In her free time, she creates collages, some of which are for sale at Makeshift.
With a definitive vision in mind, they started their first Christmas popup at what used to be Peaceable Kingdom on Main St. One of their close friends and collaborators, Margo West, who has a history with Christmas art events, was also largely involved in the brainstorming and establishment of the space. She was also the one who gave them their first connections to the local art scene, helping them recruit their first cohort of 18 artists.
The business worked, and they gave it a second try the following year. “And then it just… it just gained momentum from there,” says Dawdy.
Moving on from their success, they decided to relocate to the E. Liberty location, which has been their home for the past 2 years or so. Assisted by high foot traffic in the area, in peak seasons where the University houses events that draw non-local crowds, sales cover the gallery’s rents. When it’s the off-season, Dawdy and Moran chip in on the rent with their own income from their energy business.
A unique vision
The gallery’s best sales usually occur on Sundays. The first time I visited, I was immediately invited to their weekly Coffee, Tea & Croissants Sundays, which are free for all patrons. “Actually, there’s coffee and croissants. That was Dick Siegel’s idea. I added tea because I don’t drink coffee,” Moran noted. Siegel is one of their collaborators; he is a local folk singer/songwriter who also sells his handmade metal arts at the space, and he has performed at one of Makeshift’s Sunday events.
A lot happens during these Sunday events. Some weeks, it would be dramatic readings of plays that Dawdy and Moran’s friends pitched to them; others, it would be octogenarian a cappella groups, garage bands, or student productions. Different themes run every weekend, but what gets the customers coming back is the distinctive curation of artworks. “This is going to stay a gallery…as much as possible, I don’t want to have curtains and theater sets that are blocking things. I want people to be looking, watching something that’s in an art gallery,” said Moran when I inquired about how they are able to transform the small space for every show.
On another visit, I was greeted by Rucheng Diao, a collaborating artist and a volunteer clerk. Like many other artists who ended up displaying their work at the gallery, Diao did not have a professional career in art, but a deep interest in handmade crafts. They make intricate use of the negatives in polaroid films, and “[do] miraculous things to [them],” says Moran.
Makeshift is now home to over 30 artists, some of whom are seasoned professionals with deep connections with the local art scene, while others, like Diao, serendipitously discovered the opportunity to showcase their work. Now, Diao proudly displays their art, including an artist’s statement, in a designated corner of the small space.
With little funding, many of the artists, including Diao, end up volunteering their time as store clerks during the opening hours. “It’s a good group. It is emotionally committed,” Dawdy affirms, her eyes alight with pride. “It’s not just a collective; it’s a family.” Dawdy and Moran would claim that they have never faced a challenge when it comes to their relationship with their artists, but I would argue that the welcoming energy of the gallery brings in just the right crowd.
Future plans
Reflecting this mom-and-pop nature of the popup is a hand-written “Make-shift Gallery” banner pasted against the shop window. “We kind of want to rename ourselves because…’Makeshift implies that we’re only here a little while,” Moran said, as they revealed to me that they are working on a 2-year lease on the E. Liberty space, with plans to tear down more walls—physically and creatively—and finally settle in a real home.
Looking to the future, Dawdy and Moran envision an expansion of Makeshift Gallery’s footprint. With plans to enhance the gallery’s visibility through outdoor installations and larger-scale collaborative events, they aim to create a dynamic space that transcends traditional boundaries of arts. Complementing this vision, they are organizing fundraising events in the coming months to kick off this transformative phase, followed by even more concerts and performances by local creatives.
As the gallery continues to evolve, transitioning from the transient allure of “Catch us while you can” to the more established identity of “Makeshift,” there’s a sense of optimism for what the future holds. While the name may change, “This is going to stay a gallery,” Moran asserts, his gaze fixed on the horizon of possibilities. One thing remains for certain—the gallery will always be committed to celebrating creativity, community, and the enduring power of art.
Feature Photo: Makeshift Gallery sign and window display for the Holiday season, by Mai Tran