That great big carnival of art is well underway in Grand Rapids Michigan. The event started last Wednesday (September 24) and runs until October 12. This is my 5th year participating in this incredible experiment in art.
The crazy thing about ArtPrize is that one artist will be awarded a $200,000 prize determined by popular vote. (This year there is also a $200,000 prize awarded by a professional jury as well.) It's the popular vote aspect that brings out a lot of silly entries, but it is still an event not to be missed. There are over 1500 artists exhibiting at over 100 different locations throughout the city. Hundreds of thousands of people flock to Grand Rapids to see what us crazy artists have to offer. Artists get a lot of exposure at this event, but its not an art fair. It's not a place where you sell art to the throngs. Its just a place to show your best effort in hopes of getting some attention or winning a prize.
I created a 20-foot digital painting called "Outhouse Island" for ArtPrize this year. In keeping with the carnival atmosphere, I'm passing out sheets of toilet paper with my voting number on it. Get it? Toilet paper - Outhouses? So far I've gotten a lot of good vibes and a lot of smiles from the public. I'm having a good time at ArtPrize.
I'm exhibiting at a good location at 50 Monroe Street, in between the BOB and the Grand Rapids Art Museum. The wall my picture hangs from gets lots of natural light from huge windows and the traffic has been brisk. If you can make it to Grand Rapids, stop by and say hi. I guarantee you're gonna enjoy this crazy art exhibition.
