The Grand Rapids Art Prize 2009 Finalists have Been Announced.... drumroll...
The winners are as follows:
Numero Uno: $250,000 Art Prize goes to: Ran Ortner for OPEN WATER #24
This painting will be on display at The Grand Rapids Art Museum through Jan 2010
if you missed it during Art Prize. Saw a mention online that it has been sold!
This painting is over 18 feet long...as Michigan is surrounded by water, a fitting winner.
Number Two: $100,000 Art Prize goes to: Tracy Van Duinen for Imagine That!
This large outdoor mosaic mural by Tracy VanDuinen covers a portion of the
Grand Rapids Childrens Museum on the front. It is a permanent installation and
a wonderful, whimsical touch to one of our area's attractions. Interactive in many
ways, this mural will teach, enchant, and educate all of us about art for years to come.
Number Three: $50,000 Art Prize goes to: Eric Daigh for Portraits
These portraits are 4 x 6 feet and made of plastic push pins on boards.
Eric uses about 50,000 push pins for each portrait. You have to admire the creativity
and unusual medium of this artist!
Number Four: $ 7000 Art Prize goes to: David Lubbers for The Grand Dance
Sculpture. A stunning sight in the middle of the Grand River with lights and motion.
Number Five: $ 7000 Art Prize goes to: Bill Segunda for The Moose
We haven't seen this yet but would like to. Bill constructs his life size animals
using up to 60,000 nails welded on metal frame as fur. Hard to see in this picture
but it makes you appreciate the work, vision and creativity that went into this entry.
Number Six: $ 7000 Art Prize goes to:Thomas Birks for The Nessie Project
This is just such a fun entry, who doesn't love Nessie on the Grand River?
Number Seven: $7000 Art Prize goes to: John Douglas Powers for Field of Reeds
This is a kinetic sculpture that measures 14 x 10 x 4.5 feet high. The 1001 reeds
sway back and forth to create a rhythmic motion & sound.
Number Eight: $7000 Art Prize goes to: Sarah Grant for The Furniture
This oversize table and chairs placed on the pedestrian Blue Bridge in Grand Rapids
was a favorite of many. With Grand Rapids' Furniture City past, it hit many people as
not only fun, but indicative of GR's past, as evidenced by its full title: Furniture City Sets the
Table for the World of Art.
Number Nine: $7000 Art Prize goes to: Jason Hackenworth for Ecstasy of The Scarlet Empress
This fantasy sea creature made up entirely of balloons was stunning and unexpectedly
surreal. There were also people interacting with the crowds wearing balloon costumes
created by Jason.
Number Ten: $7000 Art Prize goes to:Michael Westra for Winddancer 2
This welded kinetic sculpture moves with the slightest breeze. It certainly
charmed the voters who saw it.
That is the Art Prize Finalist line up for this year, 2009. We were all excited and pleased
with the community reaction and participation in viewing and voting for their favorite pieces
of art work. Grand Rapids is looking forward to next year!
All pictures except Nessie, Furniture, and Scarlet Empress are courtesy of the Art Prize web site
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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,
the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in
West Michigan. We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Contact Terry 616-292-7263
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