Disneyland in Hamtramck? Well, That’s What It’s Called
Down a narrow alley in the overcrowded Detroit neighborhood/town known as Hamtramck, is something totally out of its element, but cool nevertheless. It has been dubbed the Hamtramck Disneyland, thanks to all the colorful bits, pieces, antiques (and some junk), curiosities, and pop culture collectables.
It has all been put together into one giant piece of artwork above a couple of garages, best seen in the back alley.
It began as a hobby of a retired GM employee, Dmytro Szylak, but soon grew to the size of two stories and sitting over two garages. Multi-colored toys, dolls, discarded items, oddities, mini-cars, ornaments, and other pieces of pop culture, all weaved together into a piece of nouveaux art. It even lights up at night.....with sound.
According to Atlas Obscura, “If there is one thing everyone agrees upon, it's that you can't really understand the sculpture until you see it.” So true. My little descriptions of it don’t even come close to what you’ll experience.
Dmytro Szylak died in May 2015 when he was the ripe old age of 92. In March 2016, Dmytro’s houses were purchased by Hamtramck Non-profit Hatch Art, who have been restoring the art continuously ever since. They hope to make Dmytro’s former home a studio for other artists.
Take a look at the photo gallery below...