ArtPrize

Mark your calendars for this year's Merchants and Makers + ArtPrize Maker's Market, featuring 100+ local makers, food trucks, and more! 🛍️

📍 555 Monroe NW
⭐ Saturday, September 14th from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
⭐ Saturday, September 21st from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
⭐ Saturday, September 28th from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

We hope to see you there!

The ArtPrize + Merchants and Makers Makers Market is taking place ALL THREE Saturdays of ArtPrize this year!

Saturday, September 14th, 21st, and 28th from 10 am - 6 pm.

We are super excited that we are going to be at 555 Monroe NW!

Come shop Locally with 100+ local makers and artists!

Food trucks on Sept 14th:
Patty Matters - Food Truck, Furniture City Creamery, Crepes by the Lake, PIZZA MI, Airborne Burritos and Airborne Melts, and Waffle Stix.

Music on Sept 14th:
10-2 - Elijah Russ
2-6 - Gibson Knights Music

Food trucks on Sept 21st:
Crepes by the Lake, Airborne Burritos, Kettle Corn, Grub it Up BBQ, and Semifreddo.

Music on Sept 21st:
10-2 - Max Lockwood
2-6 - Cole Hansen Music

Food trucks on Sept 28th:
Airborne Burritos, Kettle Corn, Waffle Stix, Shnack Trap, Grub it Up BBQ, and SEMIFREDDO.

Music on Sept 28th:
10 - 2 - Brett Dame
2 - 6 - Nathan Walton

Makers - we have juried this market and are full. If you wish to apply for the waitlist, applications are available here: https://forms.gle/65dU1o846RahL9Bg8

All payment requests only come through Merchants and Makers via email/square, never through Facebook messages, Facebook comments, PayPal or Venmo. There are LOTS of scams, and if you ever question the legitimacy of a request - contact us directly!

Step into the world of Fernando’s Lost Mystics, where inspiration from the past meets visions of the future. ⭐

From Ethiopian and Sri Lankan masks to 20th century American board games and more, these figures stem from a wide array of global influences.

Each figure contains its own lyrical origin story written by Fernando. The characters of the Lost Mystics are searching for meaning as they crisscross time and space. Some weep, others dream, and struggle to cope with the swirling uncertainty of their existence.

The Lost Mystics was ArtPrize’s 2023 Juried 3D Winner.

Artist: Kumkum Fernando
Title: The Lost Mystics
Category: 3D
Venue: ArtPrize Clubhouse

📸: Gaby DeLeon, 2023

Wondering what types of artwork you'll see at ArtPrize this September? 💭 Swipe to explore the six categories below! 🎨

⭐ 2D: Entries that exist on a flat plane. Painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, and most textiles are examples of 2D work

⭐ 3D: Entries that occupy space and are intended to be viewed from multiple angles. Sculptures that are not site-specific (see the installation category) belong to the 3D category.

⭐ Time-Based: Entries that are durational and change over time. The viewer has to spend some time with the work to fully view it. This includes performance, video and film, dance, music, and interactive work.

⭐ Installation: Entries that are dependent on the site in which they are installed. The location is not a neutral ground and is an important element of the work. Installation is different from 3D in that changing the location of the piece would dramatically change the work.

⭐ New Media: Entries that are created using a wide range of emerging digital art technologies. This can include but is not limited to: animation, VR/AR, projection mapping, visual data analysis + display, video games, generative art pieces, as tools to produce and display artworks. Remember: ArtPrize only recognizes humans as artists + designers eligible to receive prizes (but acknowledges that humans need creative tools!)

⭐ +Design: Entries that are physical expressions of purpose with the intent to impact the way life is experienced. +Design entries may belong to any of the design disciplines including fashion, furniture, automotive, architecture, urban, industrial, and more.

Click the link below to learn more! ⭐
https://www.artprize.org/faq

Reclaiming the “Orient” - Gereh-Chini is a unique wooden screen window inspired by traditional Persian latticework. ⭐

After pixelating and blurring the work, a threshold mask was then applied to the original design. This technique transformed the original radial structure associated with Islamic architecture into a visually intriguing pattern reminiscent of QR code design, serving as a means of encoding information.

Artists: Mahsa Alafar & Michael Powell
Title: Reclaiming the “Orient” - Gereh-Chini
Category: Installation
Venue: SILVA

📸: Bryan Esler, 2023

ArtPrize is 2 months away! 🎉 Get ready to immerse yourself in this year's international art competition in the heart of Grand Rapids, filled with incredible art, community events, and more from September 13th-28th, 2024.

Stay tuned... Many exciting things are on the way! ⭐

https://www.artprize.org/about

Exciting things are on the way for this year's ArtPrize... including Zaha Hadid's Z-Car! ⭐

Throughout ArtPrize this September, Hadid's prototype will be on loan and displayed at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.

“We are thrilled to host Zaha Hadid's visionary Z-Car, a masterpiece of design and innovation. It’s an honor to showcase such a remarkable work that melds art, technology, and functionality.” -Brooke Clement, Gerald R. Ford Library & Museum Director

The car also represents a compelling new category of entries featured at ArtPrize 2024: +Design. Entries within the +Design category are physical expressions of purpose with the intent to impact the way life is experienced.

*Please note, the Z-Car I is not a formal ArtPrize entry and will not be eligible for awards. Rather, it’s a showcase piece that will excite visitors while existing among the ArtPrize entries exhibited at the Gerald R. Ford Library & Museum.

Are you passionate about art and the arts community? ⭐ Join us for our first Volunteer Meet Up event next Wednesday and learn how YOU can get involved in this year's ArtPrize!

📍 Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation
🗓️ Wednesday, July 17th from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
✅ Discover 2024 ArtPrize Volunteer Opportunities
🥂 Complimentary Beverages to Enjoy

As an ArtPrize volunteer, you'll have the opportunity to build connections and contribute to the lively atmosphere that makes ArtPrize a genuinely unique event.

*All individuals must be 18+ or be accompanied by an adult to volunteer for ArtPrize.

Click the link below to learn more. We hope to see you there! ✨

https://www.artprize.org/volunteer

LAST CALL to all artists and venues! 📣

Connections will close TOMORROW, July 10th at 11:59 PM. ‼️

Click the link below to log into your dashboard. ⭐

Tell us your connections in the comments! ⬇️

https://app.artprize.org

Explore these works by Beatrice Spadea and Mónica Vega! ⭐

Image 1: Forest Rêverie
Artist: Beatrice Spadea
Title: Forest Rêverie
Category: Installation
Venue: SILVA

Image 2: Contemplation Garden
Artist: Mónica Vega
Title: Contemplation Garden
Category: Installation
Venue: SILVA

📸: Bryan Esler, 2023

“My favorite ArtPrize year is 2012, when I planned my wedding around the event. Still residing in Florida, my husband and I chose September 29, which turned out to be the most perfect Michigan fall day. The sun was shining, the city was bustling with people, and Grand Rapids felt like a big city." -Jessica Gutowski-Slaydon, Swift Printing President

Click the link below to read more about Jessica's ArtPrize story and how ArtPrize is dedicated to making Grand Rapids a place where everyone belongs. 💙

https://www.artprize.org/blog/swift-printing

We're excited to announce our five interns joining the ArtPrize Team this year! 🎉

⭐ Mali Borisch - Exhibitions Intern
⭐ Luke Maksymetz - Graphic Design Intern
⭐ Kris G Snyder - Administrative Intern
⭐ Isaias Rivera - Communications Intern
⭐ Maylyn Southavilai - Events Intern

Welcome to the ArtPrize Team!

Yesterday, Executive Director Catlin Whitington sat down with WGVU's Shelley Irwin to talk about all things ArtPrize, including an exclusive glimpse into this year's latest numbers. ⭐

"The outpouring of response from the local venues as well as artists from around the globe has just been phenomenal." -Catlin Whitington, ArtPrize Executive Director

ArtPrize is an opportunity for both the art world and the public at large to come together and fuel discussions about what art is and what it means to us.

Click the link below to take a listen!

https://bit.ly/4cpg3Ra

This installation serves as a final farewell to the Kensington School Building of Grand Rapids, built in 1925. This work showcases the building’s physical beauty with hundreds of sheets of paper to capture the brick textures through frottage, painted paper sculptures, and more to honor the historic GRPS building prior to its demolition.

The installation aims not to be a 1:1 recreation of part of the school building, but a remix of its architecture and a tribute to its physical beauty.

Artists: Zachary Trebellas and Amber Bledsoe
Title: A Swan Song to the Kensington School Building
Category: Installation
Venue: SILVA

📸: Bryan Esler

Thank you for hosting our interns this morning, Swift Printing! ⭐

Had the interns in for a tour this morning. They are so bright, so kind, and so going to do amazing things, I can just feel it! Thanks for coming to see our shop.

Want to support the arts and join a growing community of art enthusiasts? Become an ArtPatron for this year's ArtPrize! ⭐

By becoming an ArtPatron, your gift will directly support the planning and ex*****on of ArtPrize, helping to sustain its role as a driver of economic prosperity and cultural richness in Grand Rapids.

Levels of ArtPatron Membership:

Annual - $75
⭐ Official ArtPrize poster
⭐ Invitation to year-round ArtPatron events
⭐ Ability to bring a +1 to all ArtPatron events

Silver - $500
⭐ Provide art supplies for family and youth programming
⭐ Invitation to VIP opening event
⭐ Invitation to VIP closing event
⭐ All prior level benefits

Gold - $1,000
⭐ Fund K-12 field trips
⭐ Invitation to ArtPrize Eve event
⭐ All prior level benefits

Platinum - $2,000
⭐ Fully fund one artist grant
⭐ Private ArtPrize tour
⭐ All prior level benefits

Want to learn more? Click the link below!
https://www.artprize.org/artpatron

ArtPrize is proud to partner with Warner Norcross + Judd! ⭐

“Inspired by the triumphs of national film festivals, the vision sought not just replication, but innovation and inclusivity. Recognizing an opportunity for a transformational community partnership, Warner was eager to contribute, securing a pivotal role as ArtPrize's legal counsel right from its inception.”

Click the link below to read more about the many initiatives to drive economic vitality and foster community throughout Grand Rapids.

https://www.artprize.org/blog/warner-norcross-judd

Exciting things are in the works for this year's ArtPrize! ⭐

"ArtPrize is excited about the partnership with Flockx which will offer visitors a more engaging and inclusive art experience, enabling everyone to join in the thrill of discovering art and to participate in the voting process." -Catlin Whitington, ArtPrize Executive Director

With the Flockx App, visitors will be able to
⭐ Vote for entries during ArtPrize
⭐ Explore a map of the art community
⭐ Receive personalized recommendations and more

Want to learn more? Click the link below!

https://prn.to/4c0qFWc

Exciting news! 🎉

In partnership with New Day Foundation for Families and FaceFunding, we're teaming up to create a digital art exhibit held at the Amway Grand Plaza during this year's ArtPrize, all while helping to alleviate the financial and emotional burdens of cancer treatment.

Want to get involved? Learn more below!

2024 Exhibit?! 🤩

Press Release: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/facefunding-announces-exhibit-at-artprize-2024-sponsored-by-libby-302175440.html

| facefunding.com (link in bio)

Congratulations to our 2024 Pitch Night Arizona winner, Cher Juracich! 🎉

Last Thursday, Five Arizona artists pitched their proposals in front of a live art jury to receive a grant and a featured spot at this year’s ArtPrize, happening from September 13th-28th, 2024.

Juracich's work will be showcased at the DeVos Place Convention Center during ArtPrize this Fall. She’ll also compete for additional cash prizes awarded by public vote and an independent panel of art jurors.

Congratulations to each of the finalists on their incredible work:
🌟 Cher Juracich
🌟 Julio Peres
🌟 Matt Dermino
🌟 Kristin Wesley and John Wietfeldt (Team Sunrise)
🌟 Yuchia Jan

We'd like to also thank our 2024 Pitch Night Arizona MC, Dorina Bustamante.

Click the link below to view this year’s Pitch Night Arizona event! https://bit.ly/45rHcjr

Mark your calendars... ArtPrize is 3 months away! 🎉

From September 13th-28th, immerse yourself in this year's international art competition in the heart of Grand Rapids, filled with incredible art, community events, and more.

2024 ArtPrize Highlights
⭐ 1644 Registered artists
⭐ 1152 Entries for venues to choose from
⭐ 181+ Registered venues

We're proud to soon showcase the works of artists from around the world, including 42 states, 53 countries, and 73 birth countries.

We can't wait for you to see what's in store! ArtPrize.org

Artists: There's still time to apply for the HBA Pekich Park Grant! ⭐ All applications must be submitted TONIGHT by 11:59 PM.

Show your work in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids with this new grant presented by the Heartside Business Association (HBA)!

This $2,000 grant is designed to help an ArtPrize artist bring their vision to life at Pekich Park and help with costs like fabrication, shipping, installation, travel/stay, and any other related expenses. Keep in mind, this grant is for an outdoor entry, so your piece must be able to withstand the elements.

Apply today: https://airtable.com/appIYu5wBBpmYOAKJ/pagwVS3IxJipa4a7R/form

Mark your calendars! Merchants and Makers will be back at ArtPrize this year, featuring 80 vendors to shop from, food trucks, live music, and more.

📍: 555 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
⭐ Saturday, September 14th from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
⭐ Saturday, September 21st from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
⭐ Saturday, September 28th from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Click here to learn more: https://www.facebook.com/share/SUym8VQ8HHm7otcF/

We are SO excited to be back at ArtPrize this year!

Save the dates - Saturday, September 14th, 21st and 28th!

Makers, you can apply here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe05cWe0Dho0Comj1hzI6SiZ5IXKULKyMHDmwXY9-_2FVVkVg/viewform

It can be viewed via our website too! https://www.merchantsandmakers.com/beavendor

*All payment requests only come through Merchants and Makers via email/square, never through Facebook messages, PayPal or Venmo. There are LOTS of scams, and if you ever question the legitimacy of a request - contact us directly!*

We extend our deepest sympathies on the loss of David Abbott, a cherished member of the Festival of the Arts and ArtPrize family. His passion and dedication left an indelible mark on all who knew him. ❤️

With heavy hearts we mourn the loss of David Abbott. In 2019, David became the first executive director of Festival of the Arts, which was no small feat, and he gave it everything he had. He brought us into our 50th year and was instrumental in developing a strategic plan for our future. David was passionate about the local arts community and bringing us all together. His kindness and remarkable contributions to West Michigan will be a loss for us all, and he will always be remembered for doing these things with an undeniable sense of style. We felt him smiling down on us during this perfect last day of Festival 2024. We share our deepest sympathy with his family and friends.

Artist: Mary Seger
Title: A Joyful Noise
Category: 3D
Venue: ArtPrize Oasis

“Art can be fun and inclusive. That's my goal as an artist, to bring joy to all that love the sound of wind chimes.” -Mary Seger

From silverware and silver trays to brass chimes and more, A Joyful Noise brings Mary Seger’s love of wind chimes to life. Made from treated landscaping posts and adorning beads, this work allowed 2023 ArtPrize visitors to make the chimes ring while walking through to create A Joyful Noise of their own. ⭐

📸: Gaby DeLeon

ZOOM IN!

Artist: Gregory Urbin
Title: Novucubism
Category: 2D
Location: Sundance Grill & Bar
ArtPrize 2023 Finalist

"Novucubism is a fresh, new, modern interpretation of life inspired by the work of Paul Cezanne. The novucubist is not interested in creating depth. Novucubism uses flat, simple geometric shapes to represent selected elements from the object. The artist constructs the image with a strong use of positive and negative space. This forces the viewer to interact with the image. Some images are easy to interpret; others require more work by the viewer to understand the novucubist."

Photo by:

Artist: Michele Boudreaux
Michele Boudreaux Art
Title: Elevated Serenity: A Paper Symphony of Blooms & Balloons
Category: 2D
Location: Oh, Hello Paper & Gifts
ArtPrize 2023 Finalist

"The artwork as a whole stands as a profound homage to the natural world, a poignant reminder to pause, draw a profound breath, and fully immerse oneself in the sheer beauty of existence. It beckons you to dream, to wander amidst the pastures of creativity, and to traverse the boundless frontiers of imagination. This piece is, unequivocally, a bona fide masterpiece; a creation that adeptly seizes the faculties of the mind while offering solace to the soul. It firmly establishes itself as an invaluable addition to the pantheon of artistic marvels, a timeless emblem of art's unparalleled ability to captivate consciousness and provide respite to the spirit."

Photo by: Bryan Esler

Artist: CultureVerse presents MYPH
Light in the Dark - Photography of MYPH (Ukraine)

Category: 2D
Location: ArtPrize ClubHouse
2023 ArtPrize Finalist

“The true power of the exhibit is the way we re-create the atmosphere of a memorable exhibit in Kyiv in 2020 when the gallery opened during the massive missile attack during which one of the power plants was destroyed leading to a partial black-out in the city. Despite the total darkness, the exhibition was conducted but all participants and audience brought their own light-sources (phone, night lamps, etc). This created a unique atmosphere of closeness and changed the dynamic of perceiving art. Bringing the format of the art exhibition in darkness with personal light-sources to the US brings the context of the war closer and, facilitates an intimate connection and, at the same time, invokes the metaphor of your own light as your only means to perceive beauty in the dark.”

Photo by: Bryan Esler

Which Grand Rapids buildings can you spot in this imaginative muralist depiction of our city?

Artists: Jesse Douglas - Sotir Davidhi
(instagram)
Title: Evolve
Category: 2D
Location: Vicinity Energy
2023 ArtPrize Finalist

The mural represents the past, present, and future of Grand Rapids through the lens of its energy infrastructure that supports the City. This infrastructure has evolved over 135 years, and has always been based upon efficiency and environmental and economic sustainability. The mural is intended to be a representation on where we were, where we are and where we are going.

Photo by: Bryan Esler