Art exhibit explores expansion concerns in Grand Rapids

A new art exhibition produced by Grand Valley State University students aims to answer the question: "Who has the right to thrive in the Westside of Grand Rapids?"

"At the Plum Grove" will showcase theoretical scenarios about the future of the Westside of Grand Rapids, and who the neighborhoods will prioritize, through installations, videos, poetry, drawings, sculptures, digital images and more. The scenarios are the result of research conducted by the 15 students enrolled in Grand Valley's Civic Studios course within the Art and Design Department's Visual Studies program.

This free exhibit will be open to the public December 11 from 5-9 p.m. at Civic Studio (336 Straight Ave.) in Grand Rapids. A closing discussion about the exhibit and research will take place December 16 from 4-5:50 p.m.

To prepare for the exhibition, students met with members of various Westside-based organizations to discuss some of the critical concerns in the area. Molly Tiesma, junior art and design major, said some of the main concerns include gentrification of the area and the expansions happening in and around Grand Rapids, among others.

"It is important to be aware of and sensitive to these concerns as we learn more about the area and its residents," Tiesma said. "We spent a great portion of the beginning of the course exploring the Westside, and used this time to connect and engage with residents."

The name of the exhibit spawned from accounts discovered by the students that were written by an early settler of Grand Rapids in the 1800s. The settler described the presence of a plum grove located near where the Civic Studio class is held. Tiesma said the plum grove served as a gathering place for the Native American population of the area, but it was burned to make way for the settlers' pastures.

"This grove has become a sort of imaginary 'perfect' place in our minds that inspired us to use it as the basis for our work," Tiesma said. "By knowing where this land has been and what it has experienced, we can more fully understand our sense of place and respect the history of the area."

The Visual Studies program at Grand Valley offers both art and non-art majors opportunities to plan, execute and curate art exhibitions. During each semester, students research the social practices and public perspectives of an area of Grand Rapids and incorporate their findings into a final public project.

Tiesma said being a part of this exhibition team has shaped her own studio practices while deepening her understanding of what it means to be an informed artist.

"Projects outside of the university such as this help us understand the planning and logistical mindset necessary to undertake a project of this magnitude," Tiesma said. "Because nearly every class provides students with the opportunity to dive into the local art scene, we are not limited to thinking of our work as 'student work' and we can see it from a professional perspective."

For more information about "At the Plum Grove," contact Paul Wittenbraker, Visual Studies professor, at [email protected], or (616) 331-3578.