by Matthew Makowski

Three square miles of downtown Grand Rapids transform into an arts epicenter during ArtPrize each fall when artists and art enthusiasts alike join the conversation about art and why it matters.

Since ArtPrize began in 2009, more than 1.9 million people have reveled in more than 10,000 pieces of artwork scattered across hundreds of venues around the city. These participatory numbers have earned ArtPrize the distinction of being the world’s largest international art competition. Grand Valley has contributed to that title by serving as an official venue since the inception of the international festival.

“Grand Valley decided right from the start that we needed to be a part of the ArtPrize conversation because we have an art department, but we also develop and showcase art on so many different levels,” said Henry Matthews, director of Galleries and Collections. “We have a campus downtown so we want to be good neighbors. We need and want to participate with the community with these types of events.”

Matthews added that while the Pew Grand Rapids Campus became the logical place to physically enter the ArtPrize world, Grand Valley’s priority was and continues to be acting as a university first and an ArtPrize venue second. As a result, the Pew Grand Rapids Campus has historically served as strictly an outdoor venue during the 19-day art competition.

Grand Valley began its ArtPrize connection by serving as a venue in 2009, hosting eight artists and their works. In 2010, the Pew Campus expanded its involvement by becoming an official Exhibition Center and hosting more than 20 artists, acting as a registration site and carrying ArtPrize merchandise.

In 2012, the university reverted back to a venue. The decision was made to place more attention on a smaller number of artists during ArtPrize exclusively at the Eberhard Center in order to take advantage of the consistent high traffic on the historic Blue Bridge, which connects the Pew Grand Rapids Campus to downtown.

Matthews said one goal during ArtPrize is to connect with students, faculty and staff members or alumni when selecting artists to showcase on campus. More than 85 artists have been hosted on the Pew Campus since 2009.

During ArtPrize this year, 14 jewelry and metalsmithing students joined those ranks by displaying their classwork in a pop-up gallery at the Eberhard Center in the exhibit, “Framing the Experience.” Beverly Seley, coordinator of the jewelry and metalsmithing program, said the works displayed covered all class levels and demonstrated the range of techniques, materials and approaches found in contemporary metals and jewelry.

Ross Tanner, ’15, showcased a bracelet crafted from drafting equipment inherited from his late uncle; he said showcasing artwork at ArtPrize is a valuable entryway into large scale exposure as an artist.

“Exhibiting during ArtPrize breaks down any potential barriers that an artist may have to exhibiting work in a gallery or museum setting,” Tanner said. “This gives students the opportunity to find all the resources needed to obtain a space and exhibit their work.”

Aside from hosting artists, Grand Valley has been heavily involved in the official kickoff to ArtPrize since 2012. Each year at Rosa Parks Circle, the Laker Marching Band, led by President Thomas J. Haas, performs while the GVSU Dance Company and Louie the Laker energize the crowd. The ensemble then proceeds across the Blue Bridge to the Eberhard Center to perform a second time.

“The kickoff gives Grand Valley students an amazing opportunity to perform for a public audience in the heart of Grand Rapids,” said Stacey Tvedten, Art Gallery program coordinator. “ArtPrize is an excellent catalyst for connecting people, ideas and organizations, and that’s what we celebrate during the kickoff.”

The Pew Campus has also functioned as an educational hotspot in previous years by hosting ArtPrize Education Days. Sponsored by ArtPrize and coordinated by the Galleries and Collections team and Grand Valley’s Charter Schools Office, ArtPrize Education Days continues to offer K-12 charter and public school students the opportunity to engage in educational activities, such as ice carving demonstrations, dance classes, jewelry making workshops, artist meet and greets and ArtPrize tours during Grand Valley’s annual Family Weekend.

Grand Valley’s connection to ArtPrize doesn’t end when the prizes have been awarded, the artists pack up and the city of Grand Rapids returns to status quo. There are currently 17 former ArtPrize entries now residing in the university’s permanent art collection, including “Magela – S” by Cyril Lixenberg and “Metal Monkey Mania” by Dale Rogers; both can be found at the DeVos Center.