Celebrate Michigan With These Must-See Entries at ArtPrize Eight
Julie Bitely
| 3 min read
While ArtPrize draws people from across the country and the world, many of the entries pay homage to its home state of Michigan. Check out some of the work we found that pays tribute to the Great Lakes State, as well as some of its cities and landmarks.
One of Kristopher Lance Patterson’s five paintings that make up his “River Rock Series” entry at First Park Congregational Church. Grand Rapids’ Blue Bridge is depicted.
A collaboration between Dianne Carroll Burdick, Rob Burdick, Becky Richard, and Tim Jacobson, this depiction of Grand Rapids’ Calder is composed of photographs from the annual Festival of the Arts. “Festival of the Arts” is showing at the Women’s City Club.
Artist Valerie Hollstein has all the states covered with her large-scale “Continental U.S”. entry, showing at the Gerald R. Ford Museum.
Look for this homage to Detroit at San Chez Bistro. Artist Olivia Ezinga says “Detroit’s Mark on Me” is “a tribute to the city I fell in love with.”
Michele Gort’s expressionistic landscape entry is called “Grand Rapids Connections” and is showing at the Women’s City Club.
This wintry depiction of Grand Rapids’ Rosa Parks Circle is part of a series called “Michigan Highlights.” Artist Betsy O’Neill is exhibiting her work at Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
Kelly Tuttle’s entry, “Mirror of Heaven,” is a painting installation depicting a view of Kitch-iti-kipi, Michigan’s largest freshwater spring. It is showing at the Homewood Suites by Hilton.
Paul Nelson’s photograph is of a person sitting on a bench in Presque Isle Park, in Marquette, Michigan, watching the Northern Lights over Lake Superior. “Front Row Seat” is at Central Reformed Church.
This giant topographic Michigan map is showing at Tavern on the Square. “Michigan: A Great Lakes Love Affair” is a collaboration of 27 artists from the Pentwater Artisans Learning Center.
Audible gasps can be heard when visitors realize that artist Gary Moran’s “Sand Sturgeon” is made entirely of, well, sand. The installation can be found at the Gerald R. Ford Museum.
Kristen ForgeronKnight’s “Seeking Michigan” is a large wooden sculpture decoupaged with photographs of her adventures throughout the state. The piece can be found at Bartertown Diner.
Rick Teremi’s photograph, “South Manitou Island Lighthouse” can be found at the Gerald R. Ford Museum.
“The Sunrise Side” captures a slice of Lake Huron. Artist Barbara Weisenburg’s painting can be found at First Park Congregational Church.
“The Mitten” is a metal installation showing at Artesian Distillers. Artist Michael Schweyen used pictures from around the state “captured after several visits with friends, a long road trip with my dad and my own travels.”
“The Pinnacle,” a kiln-formed glass piece is on display at the Gerald R. Ford Museum. On her ArtPrize bio page, artist Julie Haan said the work depicts “the pines overlooking Lake Michigan.”
“Tranquil” captures three paddle boarders maneuvering Holland Harbor toward the channel to Macatawa Bay. Photographer Ed Bonge Jr.’s work is showing at Homewood Suites by Hilton.
“The Fire Cycle” is a large-scale installation designed with yarn and felt on canvas. Artist Andrew Sliwinski said it depicts the Two Hearted River area in the Upper Peninsula. It is showing at the Gerald R. Ford Museum.
“GR Grand Architectural Snippets: Volume Two” is a mash-up of architectural elements from historic downtown Grand Rapids buildings. Artist Dorothy Dorney’s piece is showing at the Women’s City Club.
ArtPrize Eight takes place in Grand Rapids through Oct. 9., 2016. For more information visit www.artprize.org.
What’s your favorite Michigan-inspired ArtPrize piece this year? This isn’t a comprehensive list – if you’re an artist with an entry we missed, tell us where to find your work!
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Photo credit: Julie Bitely
