By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org
Quality over quantity might be a theme for this year’s ArtPrize as several of the large institutions are featuring a single artist’s work.
This is the observation we saw as we pulled together the releases of several groups on their ArtPrize entries this year.
Grand Rapids Art Museum
The Grand Rapids Art Museum‘s ArtPRize 2022 contribution is Andrea Dezsö’s “Family and Friends.” The large-scale mural on th eMuseum’s exterior and in the Museum’s lobby is comprised of imaginative creatures created by the artist during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the pandemic, Dezsö conserved materials by cutting leftover scraps of handmade Japanese paper creatures she saw as protector sand companions during the pandemic. In total, she created 117 unique characters, which she has continued to explore over the past few years through woodblock print, wood carving, and now mural installation. The ArtPrize piece by Dezsö will be up through Jan. 14, 2023. The Grand Rapids Art Museum is located at 101 Monroe Center St. NW.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum
This year, the Grand Rapids Public Museum is featuring the work of sculptor Mark Chatterly for its ArtPrize exhibit. Chatterly specializes in large-scale figurative sculptures in ceramic that focus primarily on the figure with a metaphysical theme.
Chatterly’s “The Wall” is located outside of the museum on the north lawn. The Grand Rapids Public Museum is at 272 Pearl St. NW.
John Ball Zoo
The John Ball Zoo is hosting Disc Art, an interactive disc golf course featuring nine scrap metal features. Guests are invited to play the course for free and explore the large-scale art works. Discs will be provided or guests may bring their own.
Artist Stacy Rhines said she had the idea for about fives years and this winter, she actually had enough time to work on the piece. Each of the five goals are metal art sculptures made from repurposed. Rhines said she placed the tee and the goal about 80 feet apart, much less than a normal course, so that everyone could enjoy the activity. The John Ball Zoo is located at 1300 W. Fulton St.
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
The work of Mark Mennin will be featured as the Meijer Garden’s ArtPrize 2022. The exhibit, entitled “Embedded,” features three oversized stone beds situation outdoors on the Frey Foundation Plaza leading into the Welcome Center. This trip plays with perception of hard and soft, heavy and light.
Mennin’s ArtPrize piece will be up through Oct. 2. Mennin’s work is also featured in a fall exhibition at the Gardens, entitled Mark Mennen: Written in Stone which runs through Nov. 27. Frederik Meijer Gardens is located at 1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE.
ArtRat
ArtRat, located at 46 S. Division, will be hosting several free events throughout ArtPrize. Upcoming are The Hai-Cuu Experience, which features poet and hip-hop musician Cuu JoSama, from 6 – 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 and 29. On Friday, Sept. 23, will be a hands-on reception for Dean Hunt’s “evolutionARy,” an ArtPrize entry. The event is from 7 – 9 p.m. Sunday. Sept. 25, will be am music and dance performance from 5 to 6 p.m.
On Sunday, Oct. 2, will be the ArtRat’s ArtPRize wrap party will be from 2 – 5 p.m
