This article was written by Walker Nunley and Jhermani Barnes
Imagine people from all over the globe coming to stand in the same spot to get just a glimpse at a canvas or sculpture. Looking at the outcome, it can be easy to forget the pure creative hustle that it took for the artist to get here, to this moment. The ArtPrize takeover has begun once again in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and you don’t want to miss it!
ArtPrize is an international art competition and cultural festival in which artists attend and compete from all over the world, showing off their talents and winning awards. ArtPrize happens every year for 2-3 weeks in September and October in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan; This year it takes place September 18 through October 3. It is open to the public for free!
In order to take advantage of the opportunity to be inspired, Northview’s high school art classes are taking a field trip September 24.
Lennie Reckner is a junior in AP Art and is excited to get some inspiration from ArtPrize. She is excited to return and expand her knowledge of art even more.
“I like that it brings different creators and different art mediums, because as a multimedia artist, I like seeing that they advocate for all types of art,” Reckner said.
Not only are you experiencing the art, but the artist behind the work sometimes is there and can explain their work and answer questions. Reckner sees the value in the artists’ wisdom and willingness to share.
“You get to talk with the artist one on one about their work and get to learn the meaning of it,” Reckner said.
Olen Davis is a junior with a great passion for art. Davis loves the ArtPrize experience and has attended previously. Being able to speak through art is something not only professional artists admire.
“I want to show people you can express yourself through art,” Davis said.
Art has a way of bringing people together, and Davis sees his dad as a major inspiration to him through art.
“He’s always been into art too, and he just got me into drawing,” Davis said.
Bella Marsman, senior, and AP Art student will also be attending the ArtPrize field trip and is eager to attend again to see what arts they have in store this year. Her experience has been motivational to her own pieces and through her own eyes ArtPrize is an emotional experience as equally as much as a fun one.
“Sophomore year, I went on the art prize field trip, and there was a bunch of pictures of dogs along the walls, and it reminded me of my dog,” Marsman said. “I want to be able to just use my mind to show how I think and turn that into art. Like, how my emotions can be put onto paper and for people to understand how it feels.”
Relating to art even in little ways can be turned into comfort and become a passion or even an outlet for when you’re feeling down.
Of course, every field trip needs a leader, and the art teachers are just as excited about the trip as the students. Alyssa Medina is one of these fearless art teachers and has attended this field trip the past three years.
“I really loved the bubble exhibit they had a few years ago when they had the crystal bubbles that you can walk in and everything,” Medina said. “There was also a shadow one in the Grand Rapids Art Museum that was a cube that casted these really beautiful, intricate shadows that I love, too.”
Many of the art pieces are interactive, which really shows that art can come to life. ArtPrize is a chance for people to experiment and share that with the world. This year, ArtPrize kicked off with the world’s longest string instrument, a 250-foot “Earth Harp” spanning over the Grand River. It was a one-time only experience to listen to it be played on opening night. If that’s just the kickoff, what else could possibly be in store to discover? Art has a way of speaking volumes and building bridges that words can’t. Bring your friends and family with you to explore and go on adventure downtown – you have until October 3rd!
Leave a Reply