‘Art Talks Back’ poetry competition

The Muskegon Museum of Art will be opening its annual “Art Talks Back” poetry competition on Thursday, Jan. 25, and will be accepting submissions through Thursday, Mar. 29. Poetry for this competition must be based on one of 10 selected art pieces in the museum. Winning poets will receive cash prizes, gift certificates and a membership to the museum. Beginning Thursday, Jan. 25, the guidelines for the competition, images of the selected art pieces and required entry forms will be available at the museum shop and at www.muskegonartmuseum.org. 

Exhibition on Great Lakes to open at Grand Rapids Art Museum

An artist from New York, Alexis Rockman, is opening an exhibit titled “Alexis Rockman: The Great Lakes Cycle” at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Ecological and natural history fascinate Rockman, and the paintings she has chosen to include in the exhibit reflect that interest. The exhibit will inform viewers on the history of the Great Lakes, the current challenges that threaten the Great Lakes and ways that we can have a positive impact on them going into the future. 

The exhibit will be available for public viewing from Saturday, Jan. 27, through Sunday, April 29. Admission to the museum is $10 for adults and $8 for students with an ID. 

Sacred sites tour planned for Grand Rapids mosque

For students who are interested in learning about the Muslim faith, Campus Interfaith Resources is offering a sacred sites tour to the Grand Rapids mosque Masjid At-Tawheed on Friday, Jan. 26. Students will tour the mosque and observe a service. Lunch and transportation will be provided. 

The tour will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and participating students will meet in the Kirkhof Center before departure. To RSVP, email Kevin McIntosh at [email protected] or Lauryn Nett at [email protected]. This event is LIB 100/201-approved.

Padnos International Center to hold info session on Namibia

For students interested in studying abroad in Namibia, the Padnos International Center has an info session planned for Tuesday, Jan. 23, in 167 Lake Ontario Hall. During the session, students will get information on Namibian culture and history as well as what to expect while traveling to Namibia. There will be sessions at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

ACES to hold talk on consequences of drugs use

The Alcohol and Other Drugs Campus Education Services (ACES) office at Grand Valley State University will be holding a talk about alcohol, illegal drugs and prescription drugs on Thursday, Jan. 25, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center, Room 2215. Topics covered at the talk will include healthier alcohol consumption, potential legal consequences, the impacts of illegal drug use on a student’s future career and financial aid eligibility, and warning signs of addiction. 

For more information, contact the ACES office at [email protected] or 616-331-2537.