A gallery with artwork inspired from cultures around the world creates a community through a cooperative gallery model in Ferndale, Mich.
Glenn “Fuzz” Corey always wanted to be involved with art.
“Ever since I was a kid I was interested in art. I didn’t know if I would do anything with it. I was always going to be a teacher,” said Corey.
He taught art at Troy High School. Now, Corey is a key member of Lawrence Street Gallery, a co-op gallery founded in 1987 in Ferndale, just south of Royal Oak. The gallery showcases work from talented regional artists at all skill levels, providing locals with a sense of community and valuable opportunities.
After studying all over the world and traveling often, Corey always finds his way back to Royal Oak.
“It is a nice place,” he said, “It is like the Paris of southeastern Michigan.”
Corey graduated from Schiller College in Strasbourg, France. He earned a masters in fine arts and painting. He spent time in Europe early on in his life, influencing Corey much in becoming the artist he is today.
“One day, I was in Copenhagen and saw a book called ‘Dear Theo: The Autobiography of Vincent Van Gogh’. So I thought I could buy this book or I can buy dinner for tonight,” Corey said. “I can eat tomorrow. I identified with parts of his life, his dedication to his work. It led my life towards art.”
The Lawrence Street Gallery artists keep all of the proceeds from their sales, which is unusual compared with traditional commission-based galleries. Most art galleries are known for charging up to 50% of the cost of the artwork.
Media includes anything from painting, ceramics, photography, sculpture, fiber art, jewelry and mixed media. In a city known for its thriving arts scene and community-centered culture, the gallery provides local artists and residents a place to connect through.
“I have been there a long time, I retired from teaching 20 years ago,” said Corey, “We have about 25 or so artists that run the place. We pay dues to pay for rent and take turns working. We have some exhibits where anyone can enter, they pay an entry fee and if they sell, our gallery gets 30%. If you are a member artist you don’t have to pay any commission.”
Corey’s very own art show takes place during the month of July at the gallery and features his work on Irish Landscapes and Chinese Scrolls. The last day the exhibit will be available is July 31, 2026. Other drawing media and styles that Corey focuses on is tarot cards, dance, self portraits, mythology and much more.
He said, "I've been doing mostly figures, portraits and nudes, which is still a heavy part of the exhibit. I did some teaching in China and one day I saw a coordinator coming out of the shop with scrolls. And I thought, ‘maybe I could do something with those.’”
The gallery space also hosts events every month on the first and third Sundays. Poetry readings are held at the second reception each month, where anyone who desires to write a poem about a piece in the exhibit is welcomed.
“We have a poetry reading that afternoon, which is pretty cool I think. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of inspiration the poets will get from my work.”
For an artist like Corey who spends much of his time painting and drawing, he has a serious eye condition known as macular degeneration. The struggles of his eye sight however will not hinder his continuation in producing his tasteful art.
“I try to paint a little bit every day...It’s tricky, doing facial features is difficult at times because of the way my eyes are,” Corey said.
On the Chinese scrolls, Corey uses different media to draw including ink wash, charcoal and colored pencil. Most of the art in the July show will be in color, with the exception of his unique silverpoint drawings.
“It is an old medium drawing with silver wire. The silver is picked up and with time that silver color turns a golden color,” said Corey.
Corey’s artist profile on the gallery’s website says his portrait work draws inspiration from artistic traditions of the past. Corey’s work refers back to those traditions often. He fixates on themes from the past, creating a more contemporary finished product.
The Lawrence Street Gallery showcases a wide variety of interpretations for all kinds of work. The August show is titled Motor Muse Art of the Car, focusing on car inspired 2D and 3D artwork. Artists pay a small fee to be considered for awards after the show concludes.
Other shows that have been shown at the gallery earlier this year include Best of the Best 2026, Exposures Photography and Saints Sinners and Potters.
As new exhibits continue to rotate through the gallery, visitors have an opportunity to experience local art while supporting the creative spirit that keeps Royal Oak’s arts community thriving.
“It is a nice place,” he said, “It is like the Paris of southeastern Michigan.”