Toast of the Town … Hatch Gallery offers something very ‘curious’ indeed

Be sure to check out the current art exhibit, “Curious World,” at Hatch Gallery.

By Charles Sercombe
It’s been too long since Toast went about town.
But Saturday night was special. Hamtramck’s own Hatch Art, an arts collective, hosted an opening for artists Madeleine Barkey and Sandra Cardew.
We should say, upfront, that Barkey is a friend of ours, and we have long appreciated her woodcut drawings. Saturday was no exception.
Instead of Toast providing a tortured description of the works these two artists produce, we’ll let Chris Schneider, the gallery director, enthuse:
“Come see new work from long-time Detroit area artists Madeleine Barkey and Sandra Cardew. Each will be featuring critters, creatures, and unusual folk that can often be described as so grotesque and awkward, they are endearing. Their practices involve sculpture, printmaking, fiber, and mixed media.
“Their work is distinct from one another but also fits together seamlessly. Their art worlds are from a different dimension, one that Tim Burton, Jim Henson, Hieronymous Bosch, and Patricia Piccinini all tap into.”
The exhibit, which is called “Curious World,” runs through Sept. 29.
Hatch Art is located at 3456 Evaline.
The days and hours you can visit are Thursday and Friday, 6-9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
What gets Toast about the Hatch building is that it was once the Hamtramck police station.
If the walls could talk! On second thought, it’s better that they don’t.
Back in the 1980s, Toast made the rounds on the second floor of the building where the detectives’ offices were. Let’s just say that, as a cub reporter, you learn a lot – and we mean, A LOT.
Toast will save some of those stories, at least the ones fit to print, for some other day.
The interior of the building has come a long way. You can’t even tell what the building was previously used for. The second floor detective offices are now rented out as studio space for artists.
In another matter, and on a sad note, on Sunday it was announced that Mike Karwowski, son of the legendary Lili Karwowski, who owned and operated the famous Lili’s 21 Club on Jacob, had died.
Mike became stricken with cancer over a year ago, but put up a valiant fight. He was 62 years old.
Mike and his brothers, Art and Alan, ran the bar, and were just about everyone’s favorite hosts. Well, second favorites behind Lili herself!
For those not familiar, Lili’s bar offered some of the best rock ‘n’ roll bands in the area, and were a breeding ground for many future musicians who went on to bigger and better things. The nights there were full of laughs, and more than one couple ended up meeting there and later marrying.
It was a place of love, on many levels.
The bar still survives, and is now known as Painted Lady.
You can read Mike’s obituary in the Sept. 13, 2024 issue of The Review on page 6.
Rest in peace, Mike.

When it comes to good food and great times, Hamtramck has plenty to offer. In this column, we’ll talk about what’s happening at our bars, restaurants and at other events throughout the city.
Posted Sept. 13, 2024