The art is coming to HIGRDT!
That's right—13 ArtPrize artists are coming to our hotel. The event will take place from September 15th through October 2nd. Book your stay now and see the event's art before even stepping out of the hotel. See below a list of the 13 artists coming to the Holiday Inn Downtown Grand Rapid
Heartbeats
A pair of “hearts” in footwear form - connect our adoration of the elements. The “hearts” demonstrate our connection to the earth: love for our fellow humans and surroundings. The core of this piece are repurposed wooden shoes originally from Holland. Wooden “veins”, remnants from another nature-based piece that have found a perfect home on this pair of shoes, finished with accents of wooden leaves and fiery crystal. Inspiration from another mineral, gold from the depths of the soil, sets the interior finish of the “hearts” apart from the intricacies off the outward appearance. Samantha is an upcycling artist with a focus to repurpose everyday items into something spectacular across multiple mediums. As a solo exhibitor and seven-time ArtPrize artist, she is fueled by an attitude of environmental gratitude and activism toward a safer future. All Samantha’s art is designed and made in her studio in Livonia, Michigan, see more at: thefoundpenny.com
Samantha Lewis
Previous Years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021
Samantha is an upcycling artist, fueled by an attitude of environmental gratitude and activism toward a safer future. With a knack for combining elements of industry and nature, her goal is to redefine “junk” that was destined for the dump, gaining new life through a novel perspective. Identifying the appropriate components is a puzzle, Samantha allows favorite materials that include stained glass, wood, and steel to guide the final product, reflecting the second-chance beauty unique to upcycled art.
Starry Night Galaxies
My painting is an echo and an allusion to Vincent van Gogh’s very famous visionary work “Starry Night.” It traces the impulsive gestures Vincent appears to have made in his creative process. These sinuous spirals reveal the dynamic blueprint of his effort to express the entanglements of the spiritual dimension of the cosmos. Although at this point in his life Van Gogh was disillusioned by religion, he confessed to a "tremendous need for religion—so I go outside at night to paint the stars."
Greg Constantine
Previous Years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021
Greg Constantine was born in Windsor Canada and became a naturalized US citizen in 1976. He earned a Bachelor of Art from Andrews University in 1960 and Master of Fine Arts from Michigan State University in 1968. Constantine exhibited nationally for 49 years beginning in 1969, and since 1975, internationally in 9 European and South American countries. Most of these have been one-person shows, including 22 in premier New York City galleries. In 1986, he was the recipient of a Michigan Creative Artists Grant. After offering painting, drawing, and art history classes at Andrews University for 43 years, he retired from teaching in 2006 but continues to create and exhibit his art. He has published eleven widely acclaimed books, beginning with “Vincent van Gogh Visits New York” in 1983. Because of his outstanding exhibition and publication activities, he holds the rank of Artist-in-Residence and Senior Research Professor of Art.
Veins
Both nature and nurture makes up who we are as individual humans. Each of us is unique in our own ways. Veins pays tribute to all the places that others and I have traveled to around the world that we associate good or bad memories of. The aerial maps translate to the veins in our bodies, uniquely making up who we are. Each vinyl map is placed on a 8.5 x 11 inch glass plate. This grid and the number of plates displayed can be varied depending on the installation location. There will be a QR code that correlates with each plate so viewers can interact and learn more about each location and the memories that are associated with each map. I will be replacing some of the current maps with new ones based on participation before the ArtPrize installation. If the space allows for more maps to be displayed I will be creating more before hand.
Gabrielle Lenting
Previous Years: 2021
My name is Gabrielle Lenting. I have a passion for design and solving real-world problems in the most beautiful way possible. I love exploring the city and observing all the ways design has influenced where I live. I am a grad of Trinity Christian College with a BFA degree in graphic design. Currently, my work revolves around systems of organization through the usage of cartography.
I Love Grand Rapids USA, 2020
Painting a story of 2020 More additional complimentary paintings supporting the story. All American City Grand Rapids Lives the USA Capturing a moment in time with thick impasto colorful paint layering colors & media. Painting Grand Rapids Skyline with windows lighting up love & support for the USA during 2020.
Noel Skiba
Previous Years: 2009, 2011, 2013
I feel blessed to create awesome art. A colorful impressionistic painter on location, a 4th generation painter. I travel & paint across the country & globe Key West to Mackinac Island & Atlantic to Pacific, Grand Canyon, Redwood Forest, Mount Rushmore, Kentucky Derby & Grand Rapids. Capturing a moment in time telling your story & more… I paint today, tomorrow & yesterday…
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llumination
The piece features the infamous Houghton/Hancock Lift Bridge in the Keweenaw Peninsula of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan incorporating the use of long exposure photo manipulation and the routine movement of Houghton/Hancock's local nightlife.
Laura Bufanda
Michigan based photographer, Laura Bufanda, born in 1997, has been capturing beauty within the state of Michigan for the past 7 years, and has featured artwork in the disciplines of fashion/lifestyle portraiture with additional experience in miscellaneous photo topics such as wedding, crystal ball, long exposure, and live performance photography. While based out of the Metro Detroit region of Michigan, Laura has earned a Photographic Technology Certification from Oakland Community College in Royal Oak, MI, and is currently furthering her education in the technical Arts in Michigan's Upper Peninsula at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI, where she pursues a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre & Entertainment Technology. Laura's passion for photography is driven by the idea that nothing lasts forever and that the most memorable moments in life should be preserved and reminisced upon throughout a lifetime. After she graduates from Michigan Tech in December of 2022, Laura plans to further her career in the visual arts, taking the steps necessary to reach her goal of becoming an Art Director.
BLOOM
Multi-colored individual hand cut papers overlap areas to create shadows and a paint brushed look. Each individual piece is connected with a tiny touch of glue. Calculated shadows are made by using a frame with a double mat to allow the work to expand within the glass area. The subject is wild flowers in a 24" X 36" frame, with plexi glass. The lighting is better from the side, not directly at the front, as the shadows are created by the paper with an indirect light.
Judy Whitt
Previous Years: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021
American Academy of Art graduate.
Murmuring Heart
Inspired by the correlations of corals and the human body a Murmuring Heart is an ode and tribute to the recent findings of molecules found in coral reefs being believed to be able to fight human illnessess and diseases. This raises hope for mankind but at what costs to corals that already face so much threat to reef colonies? This work seeks to highlight how each species is codependent on the others existence. The work seeks to evoke beauty and abjection through the deliberate use of white to convey a range of symbolic meanings ranging from love, loss tranquility and purity to representing biological processes in humans and corals which is open to intepretation by the viewer. The work itself part sculpture, part vessel can store and display dry flowers to highlight an interior and to convey the fleeting beauty of nature and time.
Stefanie Ferguson Bailey
Originally from Scotland, Stefanie studied Sculpture Fine Art (1st Class Hons) at Edinburgh College of Art. Upon graduating she moved permanently to Australia and pursued a career in galleries and museums across Australia before returning to her arts practice. Stefanie's practice is inspired by the formations and textures of living organisms through surreal and macro compositions, highlighting the relationships and interdependency of living organisms to each other be that literally or conceptually. She explores texture and fine detail at a small level with her colour range seeking to be symbolic of human emotions and biological states of living matter. Stefanie has exhibited in Australia, UK, USA and Italy. Highlights include her work being exhibited in National Portrait Gallery London, Edinburgh Castle and in Milan Design Week.
Two Inquisitive Friends
The Australian sea lion is one of the most endangered pinnipeds in the world. One place they can be found is Jurien Bay Marine Park in Western Australia. I was in shallow water, when two Australian sea lion pups swooshed in my direction. They were playing and zipping around each other in what appeared to be a beautiful underwater ballet. However, what happened next was even more special. As they neared me, I must have piqued their interest because the two playful friends became two inquisitive friends and swam to check me out. I was able to capture them at the exact moment they were perfectly posed and staring at me with their curious eyes. I love observing wildlife underwater, but the moments when one connects with wildlife are even more extraordinary. I hope to share with people the magic that I felt.
Celia Kujala
Previous Years: 2021
Celia Kujala is an international award-winning wildlife and underwater photographer. From the moment she saw California sea lions for the first time at the Prospect Park Zoo when she was fourteen months old, she felt a special bond with them. However, it wasn’t until she got scuba certified and started underwater photography in 2017 that she found her true calling. She is currently working on a project called Seal Peace about all the species of pinnipeds in the world. Through her photography she hopes to engender an appreciation for each individual species as well as their diverse environments and the challenges those environments are facing. She strives to learn everything she can about her subjects in order to most accurately and intimately tell their stories. To see more of her work, visit http://www.sealpeace.com or her instagram @celiakujala.
Snowy Owl's Prayer
Snowy Owl’s Prayer is a call for environmental protection. Nature has been very important to me since I was a child, a place to connect with Mother Earth and contemplate on the Universe. This piece reflects my deep connection to and love of nature as well as our need to do a better job protecting it. I painted the piece on live edge wood which I covered with silver leaf to represent silvery snow. I love the uneven edge, the grain and all the imperfections on the surface of my wood “canvases.” I try to feel a connection with the wood and it usually gives me answers to what it would like to show to the world. I have been fortunate to be able to observe snowy owls in the wild in several occations. They are the most beautiful, sweet looking birds. Sadly they are listed as vulnerable in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Laila Kujala
Previous Years: 2014, 2016, 2021
Laila Kujala grew up in Finland surrounded by beautiful nature. The forest was her favorite place to play as a child, and sticks, leaves, sand etc. were her favorite toys. She loved the different seasons: the mud in the spring, flowers and leaves in the summer, the wonderful colors of the fall and snow in the winter. Later on Laila found nature a peaceful place to go on walks and contemplate life. On one of these walks she had her first spiritual experience - a beautiful and strong feeling of oneness with the universe. Now both nature and the spiritual side of life are the inspirations for Laila’s art, which is positive, uplifting, comforting, and promotes peace and conservation of our Mother Earth. Laila likes to experiment in different media. Currently she creates paintings with colored pencils, acrylic inks, and gold and silver leaf on live edge wood. She loves the uneven edge, the grain and all the imperfections on the surface of her wood “canvases.” These elements inspire her and she tries to incorporate them in her paintings as much as possible. The gold and silver in her paintings represents universal love, the invisible world and the life force that unites all life. Laila studied art at the Art Students League of New York in NYC. She has exhibited internationally and nationally. Her work is in public and private collections as well as in several galleries in Michigan.
Rain
As a painter, I am fascinated how two techniques--color contrast and overlapping brush strokes-- can combine to convey the movement of life in abstract and figurative forms. Rain, painted March 2022, is abstracted from observing heavy rainwater flow across natural surfaces in the mountains. I am interested in how rainwater, as a simultaneously- distinct and form-filling element, can change how we perceive the world around us. In this piece, light-color/white line work highlights these properties while the extension of the painting over the wood panel's beveled edges conveys the water's uncontrollable nature. Ultimately, Rain is affirming of nature and the inevitability of change.
William Schumann
William Russell Schumann III b. 1970, Raleigh, NC I am an artist, university professor, and author. I have painted since the early 1990s, primarily in acrylic media. My early work was creating murals for homes and businesses in Watauga County, North Carolina, but I switched to painting canvas and wood panel pieces by 1997. Though my priority has not been on exhibiting my work until recently, I have pursued arts-specific projects in my role as a scholar. One such project, the Black Mountain College Semester, was a multidisciplinary collaboration involving three gallery exhibitions, multiple public talks, K-12 and college curricula, performances and events, and a publication. I have served as Principle Investigator on arts-related projects funded by the North Carolina Humanities Council and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area; I have created programming for the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte. During the pandemic lockdown, I was fortunate to find space to begin experimenting with painting and producing more art.
Sowing Seeds of Life
Sowing seeds of Life is a tribute or prayer for all who share love and grow life. Kindergarten students created sunflowers, the Ukrainian national flower. The students’ designs were incorporated into a mosaic. The mosaic art form demonstrates how beauty is created through many individual parts working together. The original drawings by the students were also shared with Ukrainian friends who need encouragement. Whether we strive to share love during war, a pandemic, economic and social injustices it is our hope that “Sowing Seeds of Life” encourages and challenges each person to love.
Mary Steenwyk
Previous Years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021
Hi, I am Mary Steenwyk, creating is a way of sharing ideas and feelings that are important and will hopefully bring joy and hope to others. I am a graduate of Calvin University with a BA and MA in Education. Throughout my teaching career I encourage my students to use their gifts to create wonder and beauty, I usually involve my students in the process of my projects, so that they know they can be a part of a project that blesses others.
Stretch
An abstract rendition of a stretched gymnast
Mo Maudegrasse
Previous Years: 2017
Maudegrasse has the advanced college degrees in arts and sciences. He is a self-taught sculptor who developed a unique personal style labeled “the allure of intorsion”. Maudegrasse’s sculptures are mainly executed in bronze and are typically rendered in a small-to-medium scale. In 2018, his work was selected for the 64 National Juried Exhibition hosted by the Buchanan Center for the Arts in Monmouth, IL. The same year, one other sculpture got accepted and exhibited at the Monochroma show in Grand Rapids, MI. Subsequently, Maudegrasse participating in the 24th Arts in Harmony 2019 International Show in St. Paul, MN. His entry received the third place award. The same awarded sculpture was exhibited at the American Swedish Institute Museum in Minneapolis, MN. He has also participated in the 2019 National Juried Exhibition in Overland Park, KS in April that year and in the Narrative and Illusion Exhibition organized by the Art League of Rhode Island in July/August 2019 and in the exhibit “Mourning Glory” in Minneapolis, MN (The Rogue Buddha Gallery) in November. In April-May 2020 his 2 pieces were included in the “DownEast” Sculpture Exhibition at the Emerge Gallery and Arts Center, Greenville, NC and in September of 2020 he participated in a group show at Art Mora in Ridgefield, NJ. In February/March 2021, he participated in a group show at Jones Gallery at Kansas City, MO. In May/June 2021 Maudegrasse will participate in the Small Works Show at Zo Gallery n Baltimore, MD. Sculptures by Maudegrasse are collected internationally. He sold his works to private collectors and corporate offices, including a prominent architecture studio (Touloukian, Boston). His works are on sale at Gallery Sausalito, Sausalito, CA and at the Trinity Gallery in Dublin, Ireland.
The Last Bison
The Bison is not something that you would typically associate with a state where I am from, Ohio. It would be more of a cultural icon further west. Yet I learned that the Bison once lived there. When did the last Bison roam there? When did the image of a Bison lose its association with a places like Ohio? Wouldn't it be nice to see it return? Culturally and otherwise.
Michael Kissel
Previous Years: 2017
I am an artist that has always has enjoyed creating. I am a military veteran and use my experience to inspire my work. I most enjoy working with metal and paint but sometimes branch out when the ideas come.
All photos and descriptions courtesy of artprize.org