Teacher Stephanie Carrico (Photo Exhibit)

Though stationed in Phoenix, Arizona, Stephanie Carrico’s photography rarely captures the city’s prosperous, quickly changing landscape. Rather, her art focuses on preservation by neglect; the intricate waltz of nature, humanity, and the unwavering tempo of time taking center stage. In May 2023, Carrico travelled with the Society for Commercial Archeology—a group devoted to documenting growth and decay entwined within our commercial heritage. It seemed like kismet to join them on a trip to Detroit, where the landscape holds 20th century narratives, mystery, nostalgia and traces of humanity within its buildings.

Within Detroit's landscape, Carrico uses her lens like a detective, unraveling the enchanting enigma of urban decay. Abandoned structures, now entangled in nature's embrace, recount the stories of yesteryear. An antique charm mingles with time's gradual retreat. Though her artistry usually relies on the dark room and often alternative photo processes, this time she chose to work in the digital format. It’s a pragmatic choice which allowed her to move quickly in and out of buildings, discreetly capturing the ephemeral moments in this photo series. With every shot, she encapsulates not just the tenacity of human dreams, but also the captivating dialogue that unfolds between earth and urban sprawl.