Dzanc House Gallery is an extension of Dzanc Books, a publishing company co-founded by Steve Gillis and Dan Wickett in 2006.
The gallery aims to serve as a space where creativity and artists can flourish, while uplifting the local art community.
In 2025, Dzanc House started hosting gallery shows and workshops with free gallery admission to the community.
The space hosts daily events including open mics, Riso printing workshops, photo walks and fiber arts.
Amanda May Moore, creative gallery arts director and residency coordinator of Dzanc House, is an established Ypsilanti printmaker and artist. In April 2024, Moore co-founded Bloom Studio and Gallery, and shortly after its closure in August 2024, Moore was offered her current position at Dzanc House.
The residency program provides a supportive space for writers and artists to work and create, with the option to board a room in Dzanc House.
“Community relationships are key," Moore said. "I am constantly talking to people out in the community. I feel that it's important for my job to be relational and excited for what is going on."
It was at an Ann Arbor District Library community letterpress workshop where Moore rediscovered an interest in printmaking. Seeing another attendee carving a linoleum block sparked memories of the art form from middle school.
“When I started carving on that first block, I haven't stopped carving since,” Moore said.
To further develop her artistic style, Moore challenged herself to draw every day and to keep her focus on three subjects: ladies, flowers and birds.
Through consistency, trial and error, Moore found her artistic voice.
Moore creates prints from carved linoleum blocks, also transferring the image onto clothing, calendars, tote bags and more.
“I create wherever I can," Moore said. "I like to create faces that are minimalist in hopes that people can see themselves."
Moore works with exhibiting artists at Dzanc House, bringing their art to the senses of the Ypsilanti community.
Dzanc's current show, "Our Streets," is a curated collection of protest photographs by Emily Mills.
Spanning the first floor of the house, Mills' photographs are displayed capturing protests from 2017 to 2025. Moore curated the show to act as a timeline through the events documented.
Moore and Mills collaborated to create a method of interactivity that suits the theme of the show. They determined the best way to get the audience involved was with postcards.
Guests are welcome to write letters to various government officials as a peaceful way to evoke change. Gallery hours can be found on Dzanc House Gallery's website.
Moore applies her artistic and teaching background to guide artists who have never shared their work through an exhibition or open call.
Having the community gallery space allows for experimentation at an earlier level, while preparing for future opportunities.
Moore strives for knowledge to be shared and spread amongst others.
“I want to see more things organized by artists for artists, with the thoughts and intentions behind it," Moore said. "Making it a really good experience for the artists because we need one another's art."
Moore’s work can be found on her Instagram page, @amandamaymoore, and purchased on her website.
