ArtPrize 2024

Lily here. We've been shaking things up a bit with our posting order lately. Don't worry, nothing's wrong with Felicity. Bethany just wanted to be the one to talk about the Medieval Fair last time, and I wanted a chance to write about ArtPrize this year, so Felicity will be doing the next one once we're nearing Halloween.

ArtPrize came and went all in September this year rather than lingering a bit into October, which is a little sad, but we're just happy it happened. For anyone who doesn't know, ArtPrize is an art competition held in and around downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, where various buildings and outdoor areas serve as art venues for a fleeting few weeks in the fall. All of it is free for the public to view and vote on. Public vote and juried vote winners in various categories (2D, 3D, installation, time-based, etc.) are awarded cash prizes at the end. 

Mom did her part again by going to see a lot of fantastic art in person, telling us about it, and taking lots of photos. Some of said photo taking went on while she was holding a dripping umbrella, so if the framing is a little off, that's why, ha ha. We will share with you our personal top 5's, but first, here's what won the public vote's grand prize!

Dynamic Sunset by John Katerberg

Per the artist's statement, this is an oil an acrylic painting of the Grand Haven, Michigan pier. Instead of using a conventional canvas, however, he paints on a (very heavy) sheet of brass and welded steel. He then strategically grinds away some of the paint to reveal the metal underneath. Once he's done, he coats it all in automotive clear coat for protection.

He explains it better than I could:

"The painting you see before you represents the most difficult, yet rewarding project of my artistic career. This creation has taken a year of my life, plenty of sweat, and even a little blood. As a Purple Heart Veteran and lifelong artist, I have learned that both life and the creative process are full of hardships and challenges that we are called to turn into beauty. I call it Dynamic Sunset, capturing the sun’s brilliance breaking through a storm and reflecting off the waves below."

This artist had been showcasing his masterpieces in the fountain at a veteran's park for several years in a row, and every year, they have been breathtaking. They're some of my all-time favorites, to be sure. He got a spot in one of the most well-visited venues this year (the Gerald R. Ford Museum), and I think this really helped it get the attention it deserved.

Well done, Mr. Katerberg! This one would've been in my top 5, but I plan to choose 5 others to highlight later and let this one just be our grand winner. 

Before we get to those, though, I also must mention that another one of our favorite artists is still going strong. He (John Jurries) began painting one not-so-scary watercolor monster a day back in January 2014. Over 10 years and 3800 monsters later, and he still has not missed a day! 50 of his favorites from this last year were showcased in a hotel lobby.

Here are our personal favorites:

Bethany's pick: oreo walrus

Felicity's pick: breakfast beaver

Julie's pick: goat milk

my pick: iceberg polar bear

Finally, as promised, we have each picked 5 of our favorite entries to highlight. Enjoy!

Bethany's Picks:

Baby Africa

The artist was inspired to make these paper mache creations when looking at her photographs of an African safari she took in 2015. So much cuteness, and the artist took such great pains to display them well in this macaron shop! (Mom reports that the macarons looked delicious, but she didn't purchase any.)

Bonzo the Dragon

Whoa, so much detail on this little metal guy!

Once Upon a Wimblebild

Per the artist, this piece "celebrates the magical feeling of stepping into a public library." And my goodness, this is one crowded library! Bethany had a great time picking out various classic literary figures in the chaos, like Zorro, Winnie the Pooh, and Aladdin. 

The Turtle Clan

The artist, a member of Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and a member of the Turtle Clan, made this using sinew, glass seed beads, porcupine quills, and hide. It is gorgeous and also jam packed with symbolism.

"What do the whales say"

There must have been speakers nearby, because Mom says she could literally hear faint whale song while viewing this beautiful painting. We love that the artist chose to rotate the canvas the way she did - it helps add to the "sinking into deep water" feel of this. These are humpback whales, which are known for their white markings, huge size, and beautiful songs. This artist has painted horses in previous years. As much as we loved those, this is awesome in its own right.

Felicity's Picks:

 Cracked knot clock

The statement from the artist was so well done that Felicity told me to just share it:

"The cracked knot clock stands as a symbol of life's complex journey. How time is not always linear, but often a tangle of moments or memories. It teaches us to embrace life's imperfection. Secret compartments represents the parts of time not seen." Mom went back to this venue on the final day of ArtPrize because there was so much art she loved here, and she got to watch this being disassembled for transport elsewhere.

Poppies on Fire

Sad, haunting beauty. 

Somewhere Between Something and Nothing

Bizarre, kind of alien, and yet somehow so likable...

Untamed Life Forces

Woodsy nature scenes crafted out of wood itself? Yes, please! Felicity especially likes the second panel with the staggered birch trees and mento-like moon.

Tough as Nails

The circular base is 6 feet in diameter and peppered with thousands of nails in different sizes and colors that don't look like much, but the reflection on the cylinder in the middle reveals... a perfect African elephant!

Julie's Picks:

 A Fly On the Wall: Exploring the Tapestry of the Human Condition

The artist's explanation was rather lengthy, but in summary, "These anthropomorphic dioramas come together as a collective group to tell a story of the human experience."

Some were positive...

...and others not so much.

Breaking Boundaries

Chaotic, yes, but there's something quite eye-catching and pleasing about it. The artist's explanation was deeper than I thought to go on my own, but it's interesting enough to repeat.

"Breaking Boundaries depicts the complexities of the human experience; it’s a visual emotion that captures your curiosity.

Each layer impacts the other and informs the next, the same way experiences shape humans. Every experience plays a role in the next. Every layer creates more nuance and complexity, as does each human experience. The accumulation of experiences is a universal aspect of being human. The combined layers in Breaking Boundaries make a whole, the same as the collection of one’s experiences creates a person. What does your collection of layers look like?"

Hmm, I'd like to think mine might have a bit more sky blue and shimmer in them...

Happy to See Ewe

A hand-hooked wool rug depicting some happy sheep living in Vermont. Who can look at this and not smile?

It'll Be Ok In A Year

Not sunshine and roses like the last piece, obviously, but we all could immediately relate. Here we see a sad ghost enduring minor problems throughout a year. Per the artist, "The overall message is that the everyday struggles of living your life are never as big as they seem and sadness fades over time."

Unfinished Business

This is a near life-size oil painting of the artist's 17-hand warmblood, Estrellas Remarkablez, in the horse's youth. It's the Australian artist's third painting, and it took 5 months to complete. We really wish we could have seen some photos of the actual horse, but alas. This could well have been in any of our top 5's, but we let Julie have it for obvious reasons.

My Picks:

Taylor Swift Eras (Terra's Version)

Each of these small floral paintings was inspired by one of Taylor Swift's albums. Mom, my sisters, and I all enjoy Taylor Swift's music and are familiar with the albums, so we immediately "got" what the artist was doing. The paintings are simple yet elegant, and they look quite lovely hanging together. I think she did an excellent job in making her floral choices and explaining why.

For example, for Taylor Swift, album #1, this is what she painted:

And her explanation: "The vibrant teal pot and the youthful daisies are full of promise and expectation, just like her debut album."

Sisters on the Grand

These three goldfish were hanging out outside the Gerald R. Ford Museum and were each free to turn with the wind as they wanted. This meant that they were sometimes facing different directions from each other, which made them a challenge to photograph as a unit. Mom finally got her photo of them all facing the same way on the final day of Art Prize. The artist indicated that they are meant to represent herself and her two sisters. She, the middle one, has often felt she didn't belong with the others.

Promenade de' Carousel 

My sisters were surprised I still chose this due to what's on the far left. (His eyes periodically glow, what's with the platform shoes, and why is he so huge?) But, I couldn't not give some love to the flamboyant carousel ponies and (also rather out-of-place) swan. 

The swan had been rocking a black crown, but it was stolen near the beginning of ArtPrize. It got returned by the end, at least, and was back in place when Mom made her second visit, on the last day.

Ephemeriality

This free-form dried plant creation really invites one to meander around and admire it from various angles. I appreciated it even more after reading the artist's explanation:

"This installation is an abstract garden inspired by the landscapes that shaped my imagination as a child. Our experience of time appears to move faster as we grow from childhood into adulthood. The suspended movement of the forms is my attempt to freeze time and embrace a fleeting moment of wonder."

I'd say they succeeded! Here are some close ups:

Northern Brilliance

Last but not least, the same artist who has made spectacular, sparkling, stone-studded paintings of Michigan landscapes in previous years was back again, and this year's entry did not disappoint.

going closer...

...and closer yet. (Yay, Petoskey stones!)

The artist's eloquent explanation:

"‘Northern Brilliance’ is a celebration of the vibrant landscape of northern Michigan at the peak of fall, presented as a large-scale triptych within my signature gemstone series. Using over 16 types of semi-precious stones, I’ve crafted a piece that invites viewers to step closer, shift their position, and experience the artwork from multiple vantage points. Just as the landscape reveals new facets with each change in perspective, I hope to evoke a similar mindfulness in how we approach the complexities of our own lives. Life's situations often require us to look beyond our initial impressions and examine them from different angles to fully grasp their depth and beauty. This painting serves as a metaphor for that practice—encouraging us to pause, reflect, and perhaps discover a hidden brilliance in the very moments that challenge us. In art, as in life, sometimes the most profound insights are found not by looking harder, but by looking differently."

Another masterpiece, most definitely!

There you have them, our top 20. Whew, putting this all together took forever, but I think we'll be happy to have it to look back on later. I hope the art made your day a little better too! Until next time!