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ArtPrize settles into its 2011 home at 41 Sheldon, the former site of the UICA. What can you expect to find when they open Sept. 17?
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Latest in ArtPrize
G-Sync: The Future We Curate
Each year we stand at the beginning of many new seasons in West Michigan, and each presents us with choices. G-Sync's Tommy Allen muses what future do we want to curate on the eve of ArtPrize and ArtPeer's Fall Festival?
G-Sync: It Ain’t Necessarily So
While G-Sync’s Lifestyle Editor was enjoying the musical act the PotatoeBabies at Mulligan’s last weekend, he began a journey that took him back to New York City in the ‘80s and back to Grand Rapids again. Let’s do the time warp again?
G-Sync: I <3 Lists (Discuss)
Each week, mailboxes from snail to electronic are jammed with lists and even G-Sync's Tommy Allen gets in on the game. But are lists awarding "the best of" really good for our community's growth, or just reinforcing the status quo?
RapidBlog: A New Day for UICA by Kevin Budelmann
Kevin Budelmann of People Design discusses adaptation and co-creation in the design of UICA's new logo.
Art gallery launched by Grand Rapids graffiti artist has planned a short shelf life
Grand Rapids graffiti artist SOBA.ONE, pseudonym of B.J. Johnson, hosts his first show this weekend at his Green Lion Gallery -- a temporary-by-design space established specifically as a 2011 ArtPrize venue for the work of Johnson and several other local artists. Leading up to ArtPrize (Sept. 21 - Oct. 9) the gallery at 150 E. Fulton St. will host at least three shows, says Johnson, and probably a couple more after that. Johnson took out a one-year lease on the space last February specifically so he could show his work and the work of his friends as part of ArtPrize without feeling like they had to tailor the art to specific venues or curators."We opened the gallery to have our own control of our ArtPrize venue, where I could have control and not appeal to a venue owner," Johnson says. "I'm a tattoo artist and a graffiti artist, and we'll have graphic artists, metal artists, graphic artists and others."The space is split into two galleries -- one for the art shows and one for the ArtPrize work "The Kiss: Inspirations from the Cure," featuring work inspired by the band of the same name. Johnson says he's posted a call for artists and expects to have about 20 exhibiting under that theme. "I've been working on the idea for a couple of years and have done a few pieces," Johnson says. "I really like metaphors and layered meanings in my work so I thought this would be appropriate. We'll close the ArtPrize exhibit on October 15, which is a Saturday night and is inspired by The Cure's song, 10:15 Saturday Night."In the meantime, Johnson's focus is on the upcoming show that opens April 9, "D-Bags and Dimwits," with works that juxtapose cartoon character bullies with their not-so-bright counterparts. The shows features works inspired by The Road Runner cartoon by Joachim Jensen, who was part of the ArtPrize 2010 entry Steam Pig Experiment, and works by Johnny Clausen, who helped create the painting The Waterprize for ArtPrize 2010. Source: B.J. "SOBA.ONE" Johnson, Green Lion GalleryWriter: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
Another Creative Workspace Coming To Downtown Grand Rapids
41 Sheldon Blvd, the long-time headquarters for UICA, will become a new headquarters for ArtPrize, Compass College of Cinematic Arts and other creative users.
New owner, new vision for dilapidated Junior Achievement building in Grand Rapids
A dilapidated eyesore on Grand Rapids' most visible corner got a new lease on life in December when commercial developer Locus Development purchased it with plans to revitalize the building as the gateway to the city's Avenue for the Arts. Locus purchased the two-story building at 2 East Fulton St., on the corner of Fulton and Division Avenue, the central intersection where the city is divided into its northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest sections. Locus purchased it for an undisclosed amount from Macatawa Bank, who acquired the property for $650,000 through a Sheriff sale, says John Green, Locus co-owner. "Our plan is, over the next 12 months, to work through the building evaluation, architectural drawings and project costing and pursue all applicable incentives available for that property," Green says. Those incentives could come from state and federal historic tax credits, Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority programs and TIF credits that could include brownfield redevelopment monies, Green says. Green wouldn't pinpoint a specific potential tenant or final vision for the renovation, but noted his desire to use the building for an arts-centric purpose. "I, ideally, would love to see some type of arts-related organization on the main floor," Green says. "The lower level ceilings are 16 to 18 feet in some areas and could be quite a spectacular gallery space if done right. The second floor could be a great commercial space for offices for any company that wants to be in the heart of the city. "I think (the building) will stand as a symbol for the Avenue for the Arts," he adds. "It's at the gateway where our core business district joins with the arts, which is a critical part of what we have going in Grand Rapids." Construction could begin in early 2012 with completion before ArtPrize 2012. Source: John Green, Locus DevelopmentWriter: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
G-Sync: The Future We Curate
Each year we stand at the beginning of many new seasons in West Michigan, and each presents us with choices. G-Sync's Tommy Allen muses what future do we want to curate on the eve of ArtPrize and ArtPeer's Fall Festival?
G-Sync: It Ain’t Necessarily So
While G-Sync’s Lifestyle Editor was enjoying the musical act the PotatoeBabies at Mulligan’s last weekend, he began a journey that took him back to New York City in the ‘80s and back to Grand Rapids again. Let’s do the time warp again?
G-Sync: I <3 Lists (Discuss)
Each week, mailboxes from snail to electronic are jammed with lists and even G-Sync's Tommy Allen gets in on the game. But are lists awarding "the best of" really good for our community's growth, or just reinforcing the status quo?
RapidBlog: A New Day for UICA by Kevin Budelmann
Kevin Budelmann of People Design discusses adaptation and co-creation in the design of UICA's new logo.
Art gallery launched by Grand Rapids graffiti artist has planned a short shelf life
Grand Rapids graffiti artist SOBA.ONE, pseudonym of B.J. Johnson, hosts his first show this weekend at his Green Lion Gallery -- a temporary-by-design space established specifically as a 2011 ArtPrize venue for the work of Johnson and several other local artists. Leading up to ArtPrize (Sept. 21 - Oct. 9) the gallery at 150 E. Fulton St. will host at least three shows, says Johnson, and probably a couple more after that. Johnson took out a one-year lease on the space last February specifically so he could show his work and the work of his friends as part of ArtPrize without feeling like they had to tailor the art to specific venues or curators."We opened the gallery to have our own control of our ArtPrize venue, where I could have control and not appeal to a venue owner," Johnson says. "I'm a tattoo artist and a graffiti artist, and we'll have graphic artists, metal artists, graphic artists and others."The space is split into two galleries -- one for the art shows and one for the ArtPrize work "The Kiss: Inspirations from the Cure," featuring work inspired by the band of the same name. Johnson says he's posted a call for artists and expects to have about 20 exhibiting under that theme. "I've been working on the idea for a couple of years and have done a few pieces," Johnson says. "I really like metaphors and layered meanings in my work so I thought this would be appropriate. We'll close the ArtPrize exhibit on October 15, which is a Saturday night and is inspired by The Cure's song, 10:15 Saturday Night."In the meantime, Johnson's focus is on the upcoming show that opens April 9, "D-Bags and Dimwits," with works that juxtapose cartoon character bullies with their not-so-bright counterparts. The shows features works inspired by The Road Runner cartoon by Joachim Jensen, who was part of the ArtPrize 2010 entry Steam Pig Experiment, and works by Johnny Clausen, who helped create the painting The Waterprize for ArtPrize 2010. Source: B.J. "SOBA.ONE" Johnson, Green Lion GalleryWriter: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
Another Creative Workspace Coming To Downtown Grand Rapids
41 Sheldon Blvd, the long-time headquarters for UICA, will become a new headquarters for ArtPrize, Compass College of Cinematic Arts and other creative users.
New owner, new vision for dilapidated Junior Achievement building in Grand Rapids
A dilapidated eyesore on Grand Rapids' most visible corner got a new lease on life in December when commercial developer Locus Development purchased it with plans to revitalize the building as the gateway to the city's Avenue for the Arts. Locus purchased the two-story building at 2 East Fulton St., on the corner of Fulton and Division Avenue, the central intersection where the city is divided into its northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest sections. Locus purchased it for an undisclosed amount from Macatawa Bank, who acquired the property for $650,000 through a Sheriff sale, says John Green, Locus co-owner. "Our plan is, over the next 12 months, to work through the building evaluation, architectural drawings and project costing and pursue all applicable incentives available for that property," Green says. Those incentives could come from state and federal historic tax credits, Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority programs and TIF credits that could include brownfield redevelopment monies, Green says. Green wouldn't pinpoint a specific potential tenant or final vision for the renovation, but noted his desire to use the building for an arts-centric purpose. "I, ideally, would love to see some type of arts-related organization on the main floor," Green says. "The lower level ceilings are 16 to 18 feet in some areas and could be quite a spectacular gallery space if done right. The second floor could be a great commercial space for offices for any company that wants to be in the heart of the city. "I think (the building) will stand as a symbol for the Avenue for the Arts," he adds. "It's at the gateway where our core business district joins with the arts, which is a critical part of what we have going in Grand Rapids." Construction could begin in early 2012 with completion before ArtPrize 2012. Source: John Green, Locus DevelopmentWriter: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
