ArtPrize 2024 is in full swing, with 164 venues displaying art across five districts of Grand Rapids. The yearly event, which opened on Friday, Sept. 13 will run through Sept. 28, and this year, there will be more immersive events, including live performances and demonstrations. The voting process has also changed, allowing attendees to vote at any point during the event instead of having to wait for a small window of time, making the experience more personable and interactive.
This will be ArtPrize’s second year being structured differently than it had been in the past, bringing with it better prizes, more entries and greater student involvement to promote educational values. This change is the result of Rick Devos’ 2022 leadership departure, and the establishment of a public-private partnership between the City of Grand Rapids, Kendall College of Art and Design and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
Grand Valley State University has a long history of partnering with ArtPrize, dating back to the very first competition in 2009. GVSU’s art collection even features many pieces that started as ArtPrize entries.
This year, GVSU continues its ArtPrize involvement by displaying a sculpture by Daniel Roberts, named “Gathering Currents.” The art piece was inspired by the East River in New York City, representing change, movement and growth, and was strategically placed outside of the Eberhard Center on GVSU’s Pew Campus, next to the Grand River.
Jessica Sundstrom, the learning and outreach manager for the GVSU Art Gallery, said that the decision to display Roberts’ piece was deliberate.
“Rivers are meaningful to humans around the world, as they connect communities, provide water and support life and ecosystems,” Sundstrom said. “This work allows our students and community visitors to reflect on their own relationships with water, and pause to reflect on their personal journeys in life.”
Sundstrom added that it is important for the GVSU Art Gallery to participate in significant cultural events like ArtPrize, as they help educate students and bring together the community.
“Our ArtPrize installation is outdoors, so it is accessible to everyone,” Sundstrom said. “We believe in direct access to artwork, and ArtPrize provides one of the most open and accessible opportunities to engage with artwork across the city.”
Many GVSU students and alumni have also had their creations displayed in the competition. This year, Jamari Taylor, a 2019 GVSU graduate who has participated in the last four ArtPrize events, is showing “The 4 L’s,” a painting that depicts a woman wearing a headscarf made of flowers.
“This is a journey of learning something of the past and comparing (it) to the present,” Taylor said. “The Tignon Law that was passed in the 1700s forced women of color to wear tignon scarfs, with the motive of belittling the Black identity and hiding their kinky hair. In today’s society, myself and others who are a part of the Black culture wear scarves, head wraps, as a way to protect our hair, style our hair and, as some may see it, it’s like a piece of jewel, our crown.”
Taylor added that while she was a student at GVSU, she was greatly inspired by ArtPrize and recalled wanting to participate. Now that she has achieved that goal, she hopes she can pass inspiration to current students.
As a result of Kendall College’s involvement in ArtPrize, students with similar aspirations can get involved by attending the Portfolio Review, which is being held for its second year. The two-day event connects art students with local, professional artists who review and provide feedback on their art portfolios.
“I’m truly thankful and blessed,” Taylor said. “I hope that (by) me being an alumni of GVSU, (it) inspires others to follow through with their dreams.”
