Rainbow City Roller Rink opens downtown

Downtown’s latest public art installation recalls nostalgia and whimsy, all while giving visitors something fun to do. The Rainbow City Roller Rink—created by FriendsWithYou and brought to Detroit by the Library Street Collective—opened this weekend. Photographers Michelle and Chris Gerard stopped by to capture the space.

This is the first exhibit in Detroit for FriendsWithYou—Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III—and their first exhibit featuring skating. Rainbow City first appeared in Toronto, and has also shown at the High Line in New York and at Art Basel Miami.

At 1001 Woodward, a green and white striped floor sits below eight balloon-like installations—the tallest is 30-feet-tall, which skaters can glide around. The bright, colorful shapes can be seen from the street and sidewalk outside.

It’s free to get into the venue, and skates, lockers, and some helmets are available to rent. Visitors should schedule their skate time and sign waivers in advance. The rink is open from 2-9 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday and will run through January 27.

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1001 Woodward

1001 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226