Hotels Turn into Canvases for First-Ever ArtPrize Competition

Written by Nicole Ruggiero Tuesday, 08 September 2009 21:15

GRAND RAPIDS, MI –  For 17 days, the city of Grand Rapids will be turned into a living, breathing art gallery for ArtPrize, the world’s largest art prize competition awarding nearly a half-million dollars.   In celebration of ArtPrize and its judges, Grand Rapids visitors and residents, the Amway Hotel Collection is offering special nightly rates of $129 per room for voters (who must be present in Grand Rapids to register).   The offer is valid at the Amway Grand Plaza, JW Marriott Grand Rapids, and Downtown Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids, Sept. 23 through Oct. 8, 2009.  

ArtPrize, a “radically open competition,” as the Web site calls it, brings artists of all mediums from around the world to Grand Rapids, which will convert into an expansive art gallery covering a three-square mile area in the city’s downtown riverfront district.   Artists will exhibit their work at indoor and outdoor venues including the trio of Amway Hotel Collection properties, parks, bridges and restaurants, with the first-place winner claiming $250,000 (10 winners in all).   Unlike other competitions, ArtPrize has no formal jury, curator, or judge.   The public decides who wins by coming to Grand Rapids to register and casting votes using the Internet and mobile phones.  

Featured pieces at the collection’s three hotels include:

• Amway Grand Plaza : Biomechanical sculpture by Lewis Tardy, floral photography by Blake Heminger and oil on canvas by Nancy Noel.
• JW Marriott: Photographic collage by Dan Watts, mixed-media watercolor by Alysha Lach and polished stainless steel from Steven Fidler.
• Downtown Courtyard by Marriott: Michigan wildflower painting by Lisa Nawrocki, wrought steel by Richard Maurer and oil on canvas by Erin Durfey.   

Visitors will have the chance to engage with the over 66 artists at the Grand Artist Reception in the center concourse of the Amway Grand Plaza on Sept. 24 from 7 - 10 p.m.   Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cash bars will be available.  

“It’s time to reboot the conversation between artists and the public. ArtPrize will be a celebration of art, design, and innovation that will bring artists and the public together like never before,” said ArtPrize creator Rick DeVos.

For reservations or more information, please visit www.artprize.org.   Follow ArtPrize on Twitter: @ArtPrize .