Little Monsters

In October 2009, Grand Rapids hosted ArtPrize, a groundbreaking event that celebrates the Arts and Grand Rapids.  What a fantastic event!  Whether or not you're an art lover, we highly recommend everyone visit ArtPrize next year. 

There were over 1200 pieces of art in venues all over the city by artists from all over the U.S. and as far away as Brazil.  We'd both been to Grand Rapids before, but this trip gave us a whole new appreciation for what the city has to offer - art, architecture, culture, great food, children's museum. 

Ecstacy of the Scarlette Empress (20 foot balloon sculpture).  Artist: Jason Hackenwerth, Grand Rapids.

Rhino sculpture made from tires. Artist: Yong-Ho Ji, new York.

Portrait comprised entirely by 2" tall hand-made Michael Jordan rubber stamp.

The Nessie Project.  Artist: AAG LLC Birks.

One of a series of 50 portraits of Grand Rapids residents made with powdered earth on a bed of salt.  Following ArtPrize, all images were swept away.  Artist: Young Kim.  North Carolina.

Landscape & tornado sculpture made from paper, wire and small toys.  Artist: Lenka Konopasek, Salt Lake City, Utah.

The art pieces were evaluated and voted on by the public and the event had prizes totalling over $450,000.  From a visitor's standpoint, the event was very well-organized and user-friendly with well-marked locations, a guide book, shuttle service, plenty of volunteers.  Grand Rapids business owners sacrificed retail/restaurant space and stayed open late to accomodate the event and residents were friendly, welcoming and helpful.

One man band.

We were so impressed by ArtPrize that we wanted to dedicate an entire page to it on our web site in the hopes of sparking additional interest in this event that gained national acclaim.

The pictures on this page represent just a few of the sights that helped transform Grand Rapids into ArtPrize.

Pink metal sculpture.

Sculpture of bowls made with 10,000+ lbs of rice.