Belle Isle is one of those magical places in Detroit that people flock to, but they might not know all of the cool historical facts about the monuments and landmarks on the island.
This is where Dan Austin and historian Lori Feret come in. They are working on a new book about the stories about these monuments and landmarks in a new book that will be published by Wayne State University Press.
The book will incorporate photos from area photographers to showcase the beauty of Belle Isle. In fact, if you are a photographer and would like your Belle Isle photographs to be considered you can still submit them.
Austin and Feret will be paying the photographers for the photographs, which is where you come in.
There is a Patronicity crowd funding campaign happening right now to raise $15,000 to pay these artists for their work.
According to the video that Austin posted on the crowd funding page, they will be paying each photographer a share of the money raised. So, if someone gets one photo in the book they will get one share. If they have ten photos in the book they will receive 10 shares.
As with any crowd funding campaign there is some pretty sweet incentives if you contribute. For $8 you can get a vintage Tuller Hotel matchbook. If you have a bit more cash you can get a piece of vintage Book Cadillac china for $80. If you love the Belle Isle Aquarium you can get a behind the scenes tour for four, that one will run you $350.
There are incentives for every Detroit history lover. I’m pretty sure Dan Austin has gone into his own collection of cool Detroit swag to put this crowd funding together.
I’d tell you what my favorite thing is, but I don’t want you to get it before I can donate.
All donations will be tax deductible thanks to Wayne State University Press being a registered 501c3.