Art Prize

It's almost my favorite time of year! Next Thursday is the kickoff for the event that puts Grand Rapids on the map. It's called ArtPrize.

For those of you who don't know about ArtPrize, it is an independently world-wide art competition with a $200,000 first place prize voted completely by the public.

"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.

It’s unorthodox, highly disruptive, and undeniably intriguing to the art world and the public alike." 

 This is the 5th year of ArtPrize, and every year seems to be better than the last. The competition is intense, but the experience is a thing of beauty. Although it can be a hassle to commute into downtown Grand Rapids for work, it's hard to complain when you look out the window and see all the passersby absorbing and savoring the paintings, sculptures, and more in the center of the city. 

ArtPrize will be running from September 18th - October 6th. Katelyn and I cannot wait to share some cool ArtPrize features with you over the next few weeks. 

For this segment, I present to you, my favorite exhibit from last year's ArtPrize. This was an entry titled "Lights in the Night". The idea was this:

Thousands of sky lanterns will be launched from coordinated key points in the downtown area at twilight. Think of it as the very large scale version of blowing out the candles and making a wish…only this time you offer up your dreams and hopes for the future or even reconcile events of your past in a symbolic lantern launch. Marvel as thousands of hopes and dreams traverse the sky, silently reaching an unknown desitination. It will be a night of inspiration and grace - a spectacle of lights - honoring our residents, our ArtPrize guests and the larger community in which we live and work and celebrate life.

 

Being a part of this event was the highlight of my year. Not only was it one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen, but the sense of community that I witnessed sent shivers down my spine. In a world that can sometimes seem so cruel and evil, THIS happens, and puts my mind and heart at ease. 

Thank you, Grand Rapids, for reminding residents and visitors west Michigan, that we can come together and create something magnificent.

xoxo,

Laura