As ArtPrize takes over Grand Rapids for a third year, Grand Valley State University took a moment to reflect and discuss the city’s newest trademark.

On Friday evening, a distinguished panel of seven was asked to participate in a discussion about ArtPrize and its growing relevance in Grand Rapids. The event was held at the Loosemore Auditorium on the Pew Campus and was attended by a wide variety of people, including GVSU facility and students and community artists.

The event was introduced by Marcia Haas, wife of GVSU President Thomas J. Haas.

“There is so much to see,” she said. “The variety of people is incredible.”

Panel members wwere directed by Henry Matthews, director of Galleries and Collections for GVSU Art Gallery. The panel included past and present ArtPrize artists and ArtPrize founder Rick DeVos.

“Artprize is not about the prize,” DeVos said. “It’s about the people.”

DeVos responded to questions about this year’s changes to ArtPrize by saying very little has been altered.

“The overall system of Artprize is similar year to year,” DeVos said. “The basics are the same, we really just have some additions.”

Additions this year include music listening stations and the ability to vote with a cell phone. ArtPrize organizers have tried to highlight mediums such as dance and music along with other visual arts.

“I’ve now become a believer in arts,” said Cyril Lixenberg, an artist and panel member. “I think this competition of ArtPrize is fabulous.”

Lixenberg, now living in Amsterdam, competed in ArtPrize last year with a sculpture titled “Maglea-s”. The piece was dedicated to Lixenberg’s late wife, Saskia. After the competition he donated his piece to GVSU. Lixenberg also collaborated with local schools on a series of sculptures currently on display at the GVSU Pew Campus.

An international perspective was provided by Argentinean artists Juan Batalla and Dany Barreto.

Batalla, an artist, curator and writer from Buenos Aries, entered a unique piece in this year’s competition. Outside the doors of GVSU’s Pew Campus sits a mattress covered with a sheet. Each corner of the mattress has a shackle and chain made of hair. The installment is intended to decay over the time that it will be on display and is titled, “Let No Sunrise Yellow Noise.” Batalla says this is a statement about beds and what role they play in different people’s lives.

“ArtPrize is a very interesting experience,” Batalla said. “It’s unlike any other art show. It’s very beautiful that there is not some kind of power that says this can be shown or this cannot be shown.”

Also from Buenos Aries, Barreto said he was impressed with the size of the competition and beauty of Grand Rapids.

Questions from the audience members included if there was any plans to hold ArtPrize in any new cities.

“We are really working on this as a Grand Rapids event right now,” DeVos said.

Although there are no plans to expand ArtPrize to multiple cities right now, panelists thought that the idea could be beneficial.

“Something like this needs to happen all over the country,” said Hubert Massey, Detroit muralist and GVSU alumnus. “Art changes lives.”

DeVos said that every year the competition grow and becomes more sustainable. He and his team of organizers will continue to help raise awareness for the event but, most importantly, continue to make it assessable to the people of Grand Rapids.

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