It’s that time of the year again. The streets of Grand Rapids are bustling with people from all over the world. Art adorns the city, adding pops of color everywhere. ArtPrize is in full swing, but for those who don’t live in West Michigan, ArtPrize might be unfamiliar. So, what is it?
To put it simply, ArtPrize is the largest art competition on the planet. Held over 19 days, artists from all over the world connect with Grand Rapids venues to display their art around the city. The public then votes on their favorite pieces and winners are declared. When I say the art is everywhere in Grand Rapids, I mean EVERYWHERE.
From a giant table sitting on top of the Blue Bridge in downtown Grand Rapids (ArtPrize 1) to a community meal served on a 300-foot-long table (ArtPrize 9), the locations and art pieces displayed during ArtPrize are nearly endless. This year, 1,260+ works will be displayed in 165+ venues, according to ArtPrize. I could not be more excited to see what’s in store this year.
So, what does this year’s art look like? Let’s take a closer look at some of ArtPrize 10’s eye-catching pieces.
The Sum of Its Parts is a color-changing sculpture made by Jason Peters. Located outside The Fed Gallery at KCAD, the sculpture’s glow can best be seen at night.
The World Beneath the City is an art installation by Cracking Art. 100% recyclable plastic crocodiles are used to represent the results of environmental pollution. Our Executive Director, Cindy Brown, and Program Manager, Rachel Bartels, went to check out the installation on the first day of ArtPrize 10.
Michigan Effect is acrylic glass in the shape of the State of Michigan. Artist Tom Gifford’s stunning landscape photography is displayed on the glass, representing the beauty of the nature found in Michigan.
Stream is an interactive installation by Gustavo Prado, an ArtPrize grant winner. Mirrors warp the reflection of Calder Plaza, causing La Grande Vitesse (a nearby sculpture by Alexander Calder) and the observer to be viewed from different angles. Our Program Manager, Rachel Bartels, witnessed Prado’s pitch for the grant at Michigan House back in March!
Taking a closer look at ArtPrize reveals West Michigan’s strong arts, culture, and entertainment scene. But I promise you, there’s more to West Michigan than that. Take a step back and explore the rest of the region and you’ll discover the millions of reasons to love West Michigan.
