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Favorite Finds at Art Prize in Grand Rapids

I enjoyed another great year of incredible art at Art Prize in Grand Rapids, Michigan this year.

Art Prize Calder Plaza

“ArtPrize® is a radically open, independently organized international art competition with an unprecedented $200,000 top prize decided entirely by public vote.

For 19 days, three square miles of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, become an open playing field where anyone can find a voice in the conversation about what is art and why it matters. Art from around the world pops up in every inch of downtown, and it’s all free and open to the public.”

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

“Sleeping Bear Dune Lakeshore” by Ann Loveless made from textile

"Sleeping Bear Dune Lakeshore" by Ann Loveless

Art Prize showcases entries of artists from all over the world. You might even catch a few in action as you wonder over 64 venues with entries by 1,524 artists.

“Sacrifice” by Tom Panei

"Sacrifice" by Tom PaneiI

Here are some of my favorite finds and their locations from this year. So many of them were beautiful, creative, innovative and thought provoking.

The Devos Place Convention Center

“Taking Flight” by Micheal Gard

"Taking Flight" by Micheal Gard

I loved watching this piece move.

“Lincoln” by Michael Feehan

"Lincoln" by Michael Feehan

“Civil War Soldier” by Shayne Davidson

art prize grand rapids michigan

The murals at this venue were absolutely incredible!

“Burning Ranch” by Emeka Ikebude

Art Prize Grand Rapids Michigan

“November 1st” by Paul Rousso

Art Prize Grand Rapids Michigan

“Michigan Forest: The Future of Genetic Manipulation on a Eco System” by Rob Vander Zee

Art Prize Grand Rapids Michigan

“The Standoff” by Santiago Michalek

Art Prize Grand Rapids Michgan

Amway Grand Plaza

“Myth or Logic”  by Robin Protz

Art Prize Grand Rapids Michigan

“Awakening Ophelia; Nishikigoi Dream” by Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson

Art Prize Grand Rapids Michigan

Art Prize Grand Rapids Michigan

“A Battle Cry : It’s Time to Move Mountains” by Kate Askegaard

Art Prize Grand Rapids Michigan

art prize grand rapids michigan

J.W. Marriott

“Jimmy Carter” by Cindy A. Craze

Jimmy Carter’s face created from peanut shells!

"Jimmy Carter" by Cindy A. Craze

San Chez Bistro and Cafe

“Rhinocirrhosis” by Lambert Nelson

This was made with a collection of corks from over 20 years.

art prize grand rapids michigan

Barnes & Thornburg LLP

“Monty, a dog gone dragon” by John Andrews 

art prize grand rapids michigan

GRAM (Grand Rapids Art Museum)

“Sessilanoid” by James Peterson

art prize grand rapids michigan

SITE:LAB @ 54 Jefferson

“The Last People” by Stephen Hendee

art prize grand rapids michigan

art prize grand rapids michigan

art prize grand rapids michigan

“Year of the Snake” by Mark Dean Veca

art prize grand rapids michigan

The Jon Hartman Photography Studio

“One Dream” by Jehovany Huerta

art prize grand rapids michigan

“The Dream – Slices of Cardboard” by Nate Post

art prize grand rapids michigan

The B.O.B  Parking Lot

This panda was made out of tires!

“Tired Pandas” by Nick Jakubiak

art prize grand rapids michigan art prize grand rapids michigan

“Le cercle de temps” by Alex Andre Thevenot White

This one took a while to figure out. You can see my friend and I disappear in the reflextion we are standing in front of. I was on one side and she was one the other side.

“Moving Violation” by Robert Shangle

art prize grand rapids michigan

This human statue would move to a new position and then freeze in place for long periods of time.

“Through the Trees Pentych” Linda K Shingle Rodney

The entry beautifully captures how light changes a scene in nature.

“Glitter Ocean” by The Kirsch Brothers

art prize grand rapids michigan

This Art Prize piece was created with thousands of sequins!

Calder Plaza

“Childhood Desires” by Sebastian Salamanca Huet

art prize grand rapids michigan

“STALA Landing:: Innovation for the Future of Michigan” by STALA team

UICA

“Woolhouse” by Annie Belle

art prize grand rapids michigan

This entry was made from crayons!

“Will You Still Need Me, Will You Still Feed Me” by Michael Peoples

art prize grand rapids michigan

The Kendall College of Art and Design

“Trash Mirror” by Daniel Rozin

This piece shadowed the person or object in front of it.

art prize grand rapids michigan

The Harris Building

“Trichomatic Spectra” by Thomas Linder

art prize grand rapids michigan

art prize grand rapids michigan

“The Oasis” by Ryan Peterson

art prize grand rapids michigan

This mural went to another level when you put on the 3D glasses!

art prize grand rapids michigan

“Jesus Mosaic” by John Pallister

art prize grand rapids michigan

 Grand Rapids Public Museum

“In the Doghouse (Lucky DOG)” by Ritch Branstorm

art prize grand rapids michigan

“Giant Quackers” by Dovetail

art prize grand rapids michigan

“The Art of Freestyle” by Rick Chyme

My friend and I observed Rick at two locations during his quest to break the record for continuous spoken word.

He set a record that day with a 17 hour free verse marathon!

art prize grand rapids michigan

There are so many other pieces that I could share but my point is that Art Prize is an event you truly have to experience. Art speaks to different people different ways, which is why the vast variety of styles is so great.

Art matters and Grand Rapids is dedicated to sharing why with residents and visitors each year with Art Prize.

giant fortune

 Art Prize is from September 18- Ocotber 6th

Check out these 15 Tips for Attending Art Prize before you go and learn more about Why Art Prize is Road Trip Worthy

Disclosure: Experience Grand Rapids provided my accommodations and meals during my visit. All restaurant selections and opinions were my own. Check out their site to find fun things to do in Grand Rapids all year long.

1 thought on “Favorite Finds at Art Prize in Grand Rapids”

  1. love all of your pictures! I so wanted to go this year, but was unable. My friend did the picture of David.
    Such marvelous, creative pieces! Thanks for posting them.

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