African American Art Showcase

An exhibition at DeVos Place will feature a collection of pieces from African American artists. The African American Art and Music Celebration and Project 1 is bringing “Shades of Blackness” to Grand Rapids.  

The exhibition will open September 6 until October 4. The public is welcome to view the exhibition every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. A reception will be held in DeVos Place on September 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m..  The exhibition will feature a variety of styles or art and mediums. The winner named by the jury will be awarded 5,000 dollars.  

Jonas Brothers in Grand Rapids

The Jonas Brothers will be performing in Van Andel during their “Happiness Begins” tour on September 8. The brothers have reunited to revamp their brand and sound after a six year hiatus from performing together. 

The former Disney stars’ comeback singles included “Sucker” and “Cool”, followed by their fourteen track album which was released June 7. In addition to their reunion album, the band released a documentary called “Chasing Happiness” on Amazon Prime. The Jonas Brothers’ Grand Rapids concert will include openers Bebe Rexha and Jordan McGraw. 

Posada’s impact on campus

The Kirkhof Center Gallery on Grand Valley State University’s Allendale campus is featuring the exhibit, “José Guadalupe Posada: Calavera Prints from the GVSU Print and Drawing Cabinet”. The exhibit has been public since July 12 and it will be up through October 25.  

Reproductions of José Guadalupe Posada’s prints will be showcased, gathered from the GVSU Print and Drawing Cabinet.  GVSU purchased Posada’s prints from the family of Antonio Vanegas Arroyo in 2002. 

Posada was a Mexican printmaker and engraver who lived from 1852-1913. His most famous piece, “LA Calavera Catrina,” reflected his views on the political elite during the Mexican Revolution.  

Grand Valley Pow Wow

Spend the weekend following Labor Day at a Native American cultural celebration.  The Grand Valley Indian Lodge Pow Wow is a free family friendly event presented by Gathering Thunder Foundation.  The event will take place September 7 and 8 at Riverside Park.  

The weekend will be filled with music, dancing, food traditional craft vendors and more. The event will begin with a grand entry and a closing ceremony.  While the event is open to the public, pets are not welcomed to tag along.  

Attract to the Abstract

Opening September 6, “Relevant: Abstraction from GRAM’s Collection” will include eleven pieces of abstract art, primarily created in between 1950 and 1970. Curator Juana Williams is a guest curator from the Urban Institute of Contemporary Art, bringing her fresh ideas to the exhibit.

The art was collected at a time when abstract art was looked at negatively, however, the exhibit intends to shine light on the artists who still expressed themselves abstractly on canvas.