ArtPrize Seven: Quilt Entry Scores Repeat Win for Artist

10.12.2015 | 3 min read

ArtPrize Seven saw many familiar finalists competing for the top prizes in this year’s international competition, which overtook Grand Rapids from Sept. 23 through Oct. 11.

Two $200,000 Grand Prizes were awarded – through public vote to Northwood Awakening by Loveless PhotoFiber, and by a jury of art experts to Higher Ground by Kate Gilmore.

Since the competition began in September, 35,481 visitors cast 422,763 votes across two rounds of public voting, surpassing 2014 totals by more than 24,000 votes. Northwood Awakening, a large photographic print and quilt hybrid, depicting a serene woodland panorama, took the $200,000 public vote grand prize. Ann Loveless, ArtPrize 2013 public vote grand prize winner for Sleeping Bear Dune Lakeshore, returned to ArtPrize Seven alongside husband, Steven Loveless for the collaborative piece that won the hearts of the public at this year’s competition.

“Once again, reverence for technical skill in two-dimensional work – this time in a stunning combination of large-scale photography and intricate textile – has captured the imagination of the voting public,” said Christian Gaines, ArtPrize Executive Director. “It’s a surprising and unexpected twist to have Northwood Awakenings represent our first ever two-time public vote winner. We’re stunned and delighted, but we’re also reflecting on how this affects ArtPrize going forward.”

Three $12,500 awards were given to the top public vote earners in three other categories:

3-D: Greatest Generation/Beta Team/November by Fred Cogelow.

Installation: REACH and SPLASH by Andy Sacksteder, who was also the winner of the 3rd place $50,000 public vote award at ArtPrize 2013.

Time-Based: Whisper by Emily Kennerk.

Jurors selected Higher Ground by Kate Gilmore as the $200,000 juried grand prize winner, presented by Kendall College of Art & Design.

“Kate Gilmore’s piece is really kind of magical in a way that we’ve maybe lost sight of. It really can contribute to a shared mythology that we can all unpack. And even though the object isn’t there, we can continue to tell each other the stories about it,” said grand prize juror Dan Cameron.

Juried prizes were also awarded to outstanding work in three categories and best venue.