Come and Experience ArtPrize by J.Q. Rose
Come along with me to visit the most amazing art show on the planet!
ArtPrize 2016 takes place September 21- October 9 and the entire experience is free to the public!
What is ArtPrize? "ArtPrize® is a radically open, independently organized international art competition and a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization."
How I wish I could capture in photos the most amazing works of art presented at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This international art competition is the biggest in the world with artists competing for $720,000 in prizes and grants in various categories. The competition is open to any artist 18 and older. Half of the winners are selected by the public vote and half by a juried group of professionals.
Today I share some of the amazing entries we encountered out of the 1500 + pieces entered in ArtPrize 2014. Please take a peek at the photos for a taste of the nineteen day festival held every fall in Grand Rapids.
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| This installation is made up of living plants. A great reminder to just step away, enjoy the festival's unique works of art, and breathe. |
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| The author framed by flowers |
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| These little colored pencil drawn ladies made me chuckle. |
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| Brilliant lighted art piece of blown glass. |
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| A 23 foot long panel of galloping mustangs created from all kinds of wood. |
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| The "Chihuly-inspired" hanging is actually made of plastic bottles, not blown glass, painted by elementary students and put together by the art teachers. I appreciated its beauty even more after learning about the story behind the creation of this masterpiece. |
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| A whimsical family of turtles. Smile... |
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| The title of this piece is "Wind." |
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Grand Rapids Petroglyph--Fish carved and painted in stones
that line the banks of the Grand River.
This river runs through the downtown area of the city. |
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| A horse made of junk. Lots of car parts. Art fashioned from trash. |
The venues are found downtown and throughout the neighborhoods of Grand Rapids. The artists display their works in museums, galleries, bars, restaurants, theaters, hotels, public parks, lobbies, buildings, walls, bridges, laundromats, and auto body shops. The outdoor installations are breathtaking, but even the little pencil drawings, and unique media used in creating all the original art, are mind-blowing. Street performers and musical artists add to the festive atmosphere of the event.
If you get the opportunity to attend ArtPrize, grab your hat and your walking shoes, and take in these amazing sights. West Michigan's magnificent fall weather is the perfect backdrop to feature these lovely,sometimes jarring, and often thought-provoking works of art.
The ArtPrize hosts describe it as "unorthodox, highly disruptive, and undeniably intriguing to the art world and the public alike."
About J.Q. Rose
J.Q. Rose is a West Michigan resident and author of mysteries that take place in Michigan. Her latest mystery is Deadly Undertaking, a romantic
suspense that takes place in a funeral home. A handsome detective, a shadow man, and a
murder victim kill Lauren’s plan for a simple life. Click here to connect online with J.Q. at the J.Q. Rose blog.
