Dearborn city officials and supporters, including U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-12th District), attend the Aug. 6 ribbon-cutting of the city’s new butterfly garden at the southeast corner of Holly and Welch streets.
Pockets of Perception artistic director Sunshine Durant speaks Aug. 6 during the dedication of Dearborn’s 2025 POP mural on the north wall of Arabian Village Market, 10040 Dix, and the city’s new butterfly garden, located at the southeast corner of Holly and Welch streets.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — Local officials and members of the arts community gathered Aug. 6 to dedicate the 2025 Pockets of Perception mural and the city’s new butterfly garden.
The POP mural, “Tranquil Awakening,” is on the north wall of Arabian Village Market, 10040 Dix Ave., and is adjacent to the city’s new green space at the southeast corner of Holly and Welch streets. The mural was sponsored by the Dearborn Community Fund and was designed and completed by the POP team of high school students from local communities.
EmmaJean Woodyard of the Dearborn Community Fund spoke, along with supporter Judy Patrick, POP director Sunshine Durant, POP assistant and four-time mural team member Isabela “Izzy” Sierzputowski, muralist Rich Ayers and Mayor Abdullah Hammoud.
The goal of the POP team project is to encourage multicultural understanding and cooperation through a team approach. It also encourages young people to learn to solve problems creatively while making a contribution to their community.
The 2025 POP team student members include: Amanie Alfatlawy, Lydia Blonski, Kole Catris, Audrey Honeycutt, Nesreen Husseini, Joanna Miciura, Blake Nadeau, Aya Sbeiti, Samantha Truesdell and Felix Zamarron.
The 2025 POP funding was provided by Ford Philanthropy, Robert W. Curtis, the Exchange Club of Dearborn, the Rotary Club of Dearborn, the Woodyard family, Michigan Rugg Artistes, Steve and Faye Adelson, Steven Bernard Jewlers Ltd., John and Lois Sczomak, and Johanna Seidel.
Additional project support was provided by the city of Dearborn, Blick Art Materials, and the Dearborn Community Fund.
The 2025 POP team mural complements the city of Dearborn’s new butterfly garden, located at the southeast corner of Holly and Welch streets.
EmmaJean Woodyard (right) of the Dearborn Community Fund speaks during the Aug. 6 dedication of Dearborn’s new butterfly garden, located at the southeast corner of Holly and Welch streets.
POP Team assistant Isabela “Izzy” Sierzputowski speaks Aug. 6 during the 2025 POP mural and butterfly garden dedication.
POP muralist and consultant Rich Ayers speaks during the dedication of the 2025 POP mural and the city’s new butterfly garden.
The 2025 POP mural team of student artists and adult supporters listen to Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud speak Aug. 6 at the mural and butterfly garden dedication.